Who is Sanjay Kaushik, the Delhi aviation executive jailed in the US for illegal exports to Russia?

• What happened: 58-year-old aviation businessman Sanjay Kaushik has been sentenced to 30 months in a US federal prison for conspiring to illegally export aircraft components to Russia.

• Why it matters now: The sentencing underscores underlinestrict US national security enforcementunderline amid Russia-related sanctions.

• What changes for people: Aviation and defence-linked exporters will face underlinetighter compliance scrutinyunderline across international supply chains.

• Who is affected: Indian aviation suppliers, logistics intermediaries, foreign trade companies and compliance professionals.

New Delhi-based aviation executive Sanjay Kaushik, managing partner of Arezo Aviation, has been sentenced to two-and-a-half years in a US federal prison after pleading guilty to violating American export control laws by attempting to funnel sensitive aircraft components to Russia.

The sentence, announced by the US Department of Justice (DoJ), will be followed by 36 months of supervised release, marking one of the more prominent sanction-related convictions involving an Indian national in recent years.

The case and timeline

According to US federal filings, the alleged conspiracy began in September 2023, when Kaushik and associates began purchasing aircraft navigation and control components from an Oregon-based supplier.

Investigators said the group falsely declared India as the final destination, while the real end user was allegedly a Russian entity, which would have violated US national security export restrictions.

One of the highlighted components was an Attitude and Heading Reference System (AHRS), a dual-use device supporting navigation and flight-control functions for both civilian and military aircraft. Such systems require special export authorization from the US Department of Commerce before they can be sent to restricted destinations such as Russia.

Federal agents intervened before the shipment could leave the United States, and a judge blocked the export, resulting in the equipment being detained on US soil.

Arrest, plea and sentencing

Kaushik was arrested in Miami, Florida, on October 17, 2024, following a criminal complaint and federal warrant. He remained in custody without seeking pre-trial release.

In October 2025, he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to export controlled aviation technology in violation of US export statutes, avoiding a potential 20-year maximum sentence and multi-million-dollar fines.

Why the US says it matters

US officials framed the case as a deliberate effort to bypass export controls tied to national security.

Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg said individuals who attempt to circumvent export controls involving military-linked technology would be “prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law”, stressing the national security implications.

US Attorney for the District of Oregon Scott E. Bradford described the scheme as “calculated” and “profit-driven”, alleging coordination with foreign entities, including sanctioned Russian organisations.

India’s aviation and export context

While Kaushik operated from New Delhi, the case highlights how Indian aviation traders, MRO companies, and logistics intermediaries are now more exposed to US compliance frameworks due to:

• Expanding aviation procurement

• Increased dual-use technology trade

• Intensified US sanctions enforcement related to Russia

• Greater monitoring of middle-market intermediaries

Experts say the case may prompt Indian companies dealing in aviation and defence components to strengthen Know-Your-Customer (KYC) checks, end-use verification, and US export compliance.

The bottom line

Kaushik’s imprisonment reflects rising US sanctions enforcement and shows that even non-US companies and foreign nationals can face serious criminal charges if they help route restricted technology to sanctioned countries.