Centre Slams U.S. Report on HAL-Russia Tech Claims

April 1, 2025 — The Indian government has strongly rejected a U.S.-based media report alleging that Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) supplied sensitive technology to Russia, labeling the claims as “factually incorrect and misleading.” The External Affairs Ministry issued a statement on March 31, 2025, asserting that HAL has fully complied with international strategic trade controls and end-user commitments, countering the report’s suggestion of illicit transfers involving a British company and Russia’s blacklisted arms agency, Rosoboronexport.

The article in question claimed HAL received restricted equipment worth $2 million from British aerospace firm H.R. Smith Group between 2023 and 2024, then redirected parts to Russia with matching product codes, potentially breaching Western sanctions tied to the Ukraine conflict. The ministry criticized the report for distorting facts to fit a “political narrative” and urged media outlets to conduct proper due diligence, a step it says was overlooked. HAL, a key player in India’s defence sector, has not directly responded, but the government’s defence underscores India’s robust regulatory framework for strategic trade.

This rebuttal highlights India’s delicate balancing act in global relations, maintaining ties with Russia while engaging with the West. The Centre’s firm stance aims to protect HAL’s credibility and India’s reputation in international trade, signaling that such allegations won’t go unchallenged. As geopolitical tensions simmer, this episode reflects the broader challenge of navigating truth amid competing narratives.