Kazakh companies supply electronic warfare equipment to Russia despite sanctions – The Insider

Kazakh companies are aiding Russia in bypassing Western sanctions by supplying equipment used for developing electronic warfare systems (EW).

Source: The Insider

Details: It is reported that companies such as Askarlab, Dicosta Technologies, Panalem Technologies and Computer Services Ltd have been purchasing equipment from Europe, Asia and the US and subsequently delivering it to Russia.

Between 2023 and 2024, these Kazakhstan-registered firms sourced products from companies including Rohde & Schwarz (Germany), Safran Data Systems (France), Mini-Circuits (US) and Farran Technology (Ireland). The equipment included radio frequency filters, frequency analysers, RF adapters, amplifiers, attenuators, frequency extenders, satellite modems, and vector network analysers.

The Insider revealed customs declarations from the Zhetysu customs post in Almaty, as well as Russian records and correspondence with Askarlab director Oleksandr Lisytsyn. 

The documents indicate that since 2023, this equipment has been transported by air, cleared through customs and, in many cases, forwarded to Russia. Askarlab alone reportedly purchased high-end radio-technical equipment worth approximately US$2 million between November 2023 and early 2024.

The report highlights that Russia’s extensive use of alternative supply routes has led to the West imposing secondary sanctions on entities facilitating such transactions.

Background:

• The Kazakh government officially opposes the use of its territory by Russia to circumvent international sanctions.
• However, recent investigations have revealed that Kazakh specialists continue to service Russian Su-30SM fighter jets using French equipment from Thales and Safran, despite sanctions. Both companies insist that they have complied with sanctions since 2014.

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