Washington D.C., January 19, 2026: A New Delhi-based businessman, Sanjay Kaushik, has been sentenced to 30 months in federal prison in the United States for illegally exporting restricted aviation components to Russia, in violation of U.S. export control laws.

The case, handled by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), underscores the seriousness with which the U.S. government treats attempts to circumvent export restrictions, particularly for technologies with potential military applications.

The Charges

According to DOJ statements, Kaushik, 58, conspired with others to obtain aerospace goods and technology from the United States under false pretenses, intending to send them to Russian users.

Court documents reveal that Kaushik purchased specialized aviation components, such as the Attitude and Heading Reference System (AHRS), which provides critical navigation and flight control data for aircraft. These components require an export license from the U.S. Department of Commerce for shipment to certain countries, including Russia.

To bypass licensing requirements, Kaushik and his co-conspirators falsely claimed that his Indian company was the end-user and that the parts would be used for civilian aircraft in India. In reality, the goods were diverted to Russian entities, violating U.S. law.

One highlighted example involved a purchase from an Oregon-based supplier, where the AHRS system was sold under the pretense of civilian use in India but was ultimately sent to Russian recipients.

Legal Proceedings

Kaushik was arrested in 2024 and has remained in custody in the U.S. since his arrest. In October 2025, he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to export aviation components illegally to Russian users.

On January 15, 2026, he was sentenced to:

• 30 months in federal prison
• 36 months of supervised release following his prison term

Assistant Attorney General for National Security, John A. Eisenberg, emphasized the message from the case: “Those who scheme to circumvent U.S. export control laws—especially when it involves technologies with military applications—will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. The security of the United States demands that perpetrators of deceitful schemes like this one are held accountable for their actions.”

Broader Context

The case is part of a wider U.S. effort to enforce export control regulations and prevent sensitive technology from reaching countries under sanction or embargo, including Russia. Aviation and aerospace components, particularly systems like AHRS, can have dual-use applications for both civilian and military aircraft, which is why strict licensing is required.

The DOJ’s action demonstrates the international scope of U.S. export laws. Even foreign nationals and overseas companies can face prosecution if they attempt to circumvent these controls by misrepresenting end-users or destinations.

Conclusion

Sanjay Kaushik’s conviction serves as a warning that misrepresenting end-users or destinations for restricted technology is a serious federal offense in the United States. Authorities have underlined that such violations carry not only significant prison time but also supervised monitoring to prevent future infractions.

The case also highlights the importance of strict compliance with export regulations for Indian companies operating internationally, particularly when dealing with sensitive aerospace and defense technologies.