In a recent revelation, the international intelligence community InformNapalm addressed concerns regarding French companies Thales and Safran whose equipment is reportedly used on Russian fighter jets serviced in Kazakhstan. The query arises as ARC Group, a Kazakh company, was reported on September 12 to have been servicing Russian Su-30SMs using equipment from Thales and Safran, potentially violating international sanctions. InformNapalm published responses from these companies on its website to clarify their roles in the matter.

Thales’s response indicated that their equipment was not sent to the 405th Aircraft Repair Plant in Kazakhstan, asserting that while personnel were trained, no repairs or parts were provided. Thales has since suspended contracts with the Kazakhstan plant and considers legal actions to terminate agreements. On the other hand, Safran’s response was less direct. Although they claimed compliance with sanctions since 2014, the company did not provide detailed information on their connection with ARC Group, which claims to be Safran’s exclusive distributor in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. Safran’s lack of specifics raises concerns highlighted by InformNapalm about possible breaches in sanction enforcement, with further investigation urged to prevent potential sanction circumventions.

ملخص الأخبار

• روسيا تملك 130 وحدة من مقاتلات Su-30SM المجهزة بمعدات فرنسية.
• سافران أفادت بأنها أوقفت الإمدادات المباشرة إلى روسيا لكنها لم توضح علاقتها مع مجموعة ARC.
• تم إغلاق موقع مجموعة ARC بعد أسبوع من نشر التحقيق.