Press Article: Indian Defense Firm Denies Reselling Technology to Russia Amid Controversy
In a recent report by The New York Times, Hindustan Aeronautics, an Indian defense manufacturer, is under scrutiny for allegedly reselling sensitive technology originally supplied by H.R. Smith Group, a British aerospace company and corporate donor to the populist Reform U.K. party. Shipping records indicated that H.R. Smith exported equipment critical to Russian weapon systems to Hindustan Aeronautics, prompting concerns over potential military use.
The Indian firm, which is the primary trading partner of Russia’s Rosoboronexport, has not commented directly on the matter. However, a lawyer representing H.R. Smith stated that Hindustan Aeronautics had provided assurances that the equipment was not sold to Russia. In a statement, H.R. Smith emphasized that their sales were lawful, with the equipment designated for India’s search-and-rescue operations, asserting it was "not designed for military use."
Contradictory shipping records raised alarms, showing that parts were dispatched to Russia shortly after being received from H.R. Smith. While these records linked product codes to military technology, H.R. Smith contended that the codes did not establish a direct connection between their parts and those sent to Russia.
H.R. Smith Group, which donated £100,000 to Reform U.K. shortly after Nigel Farage became party leader, faces scrutiny over its ties. Farage stated he disapproves of actions by Russia’s President Putin but refrained from commenting specifically on the sales.
While both the U.S. and U.K. have imposed prohibitions on sales to Rosoboronexport, India retains the freedom to transact with Russian entities. Hindustan Aeronautics remains publicly recognized as a supplier to the Russian military but is not under financial sanctions, allowing continued transactions with British firms.
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