Indian aviation executive Sanjay Kaushik has been sentenced to 30 months in a US prison for attempting to illegally export sensitive aircraft parts to Russia.
Indian aviation executive Sanjay Kaushik has been sentenced to 30 months in a US prison [Photo: X]
Sanjay Kaushik, an India-based aviation executive, has been sentenced to 30 months in a US federal prison for attempting to illegally export sensitive aircraft components to Russia. US prosecutors said the scheme involved restricted aviation technology with potential military use and a deliberate effort to bypass American export control laws.
The case has drawn attention due to its national security implications and the use of Idia as a transit point. Sanjay Kaushik pleaded guilty after being arrested in Florida in 2024. Authorities say the shipment was stopped before leaving the US.
Sanjay Kaushik is an India-based aviation executive and the managing partner of Arezo Aviation. He worked in the global aviation supply space and dealt with aircraft components used in both civilian and military platforms.
US authorities describe him as an experienced businessman who understood export compliance rules but chose to ignore them for profit. At 58, Sanjay Kaushik now faces a major legal setback after a US federal court sentenced him to 30 months in prison for violating American export control laws.
US prosecutors say Sanjay Kaushik played a key role in a conspiracy to export restricted aviation equipment to Russia, a country under strict US trade sanctions. Authorities allege he attempted to bypass national security safeguards by misrepresenting the final destination and end user of sensitive aircraft parts.
He was arrested in Miami, Florida, on October 17, 2024, following a criminal complaint and arrest warrant. Sanjay Kaushik remained in custody and later pleaded guilty in October 2025.
One of the most critical components involved was an Attitude and Heading Reference System (AHRS). This device plays a vital role in aircraft navigation and flight control. It has both civilian and military applications.
US law requires special export authorization before such equipment can be shipped to restricted countries like Russia. Prosecutors said Sanjay Kaushik falsely claimed the AHRS would be used by his India-based firm. Investigators later found that Russia was the intended final destination, with India acting as a transit point.
Federal authorities intercepted the shipment before it left the United States.
US officials stressed that the case involved serious national security risks. “Those who scheme to circumvent US export control laws—especially when it involves technologies with military applications—will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg said.
He added, “The security of the United States demands that perpetrators of deceitful schemes like this one are held accountable for their actions.”
US Attorney Scott E. Bradford also said, “This was no lapse in judgment. It was a calculated, profit-driven scheme involving repeated transactions, substantial gains, and coordination with foreign co-conspirators, including sanctioned Russian entities.”
According to investigators, the conspiracy began in September 2023. Sanjay Kaushik and his associates repeatedly purchased aircraft parts from an Oregon-based supplier. They allegedly lied about the end user and intended use of the equipment.
The US government stepped in before the export was completed. A judge blocked the shipment, and the sensitive device never left US soil.
Sanjay Kaushik received a 30-month prison sentence, followed by 36 months of supervised release. He avoided a far harsher penalty. Each charge carried a possible sentence of up to 20 years in prison and fines exceeding $1 million.
This case highlights the strict enforcement of US export control laws, especially amid rising global tensions and sanctions on Russia. It also sends a strong signal to international businesses operating in sensitive sectors like aviation.
US authorities made clear that profit-driven attempts to bypass national security rules will face serious consequences, regardless of nationality.
