Some European countries circumvent the sanctions imposed on Russia, as practice shows. As a result, the sanctions do not bring the required result, with democracy losing an instrument to embarrass Moscow.
Having examined Russian military equipment destroyed in Ukraine it becomes apparent that some European countries have long ignored the sanctions on dual-use goods supplies to Russia, as they were installed on military equipment.
The Tigr armored vehicles and Pantsir missile systems had components by German Bosch. Bosch also supplied components for Russian infantry vehicles. German ZF Group, Danfoss and MANN + HUMMEL have also supplied components for Russian military equipment after 2014. With no direct supplies claimed by those companies to Russian defense industry, it is evident they made deliveries to Russia, not verifying the end user, at least.
Experts claim, however, it is a well-organized scheme to supply dual-use goods, working around the sanctions, with intermediaries controlled by Russian military intelligence, as well as companies affiliated with State Corporation Rostec.
In 2003, for example, German 3W-Modellmotoren Weinhold GmbH supplied 3W-55i engines from a plant in Hanau, Hessen for Russian military UAV Orlan. It worked through Czech World Logistics Group, liquidated in 2018. That intermediary was headed by three Russians, associated with Russian intelligence.
France was also one of those who supplied military equipment to Russia, after the sanctions imposed in 2014. French Thales and Safran, where the state is majority shareholder, supplied thermal imaging cameras to Russia for T-90A tanks. They have also provided Russia with navigation systems for SU-30 and infrared detectors for MIG-29 fighter jets and KA-52 combat helicopters. From 2015 to 2020, direct delivery amounted to 152 million euros, not including possible delivery through intermediaries affiliated with Russian intelligence in third countries.
Russia used Cyclone-IR and Rayfast, registered in Cyprus, to buy components from European companies.
Thales alone supplied more than a thousand Catherine FC thermal imagers to Russia for Russian T-80, T-90, T-90S tanks, exported to Algeria, India, Turkmenistan and Uganda, and for BMR-3M demining armored vehicle. Fire control systems by Thompson CSF Optronique, a Thales subsidiary, also came to Russia.
The developments suggest that a “framework agreement” was probably concluded between Thales and Rosoboronexport, not specifying the quantity, with the French allowed to keep on selling systems and parts to Russia, formally complying with the sanctions ban.
NATO recognized the threat Russia poses to European security at the London summit of 2019. European defense companies, nevertheless, went on arming Moscow, disregarding their own defense. France is not ready for larger conflict, some MPs – Julien Aubert, Bernard Bouly, Claude de Hanet and Laurence Trastur-Isnard said.
Read also: NATO reconfirms Russian threat
The army warehouses have got munitions for just 4 days of intense fighting. The German army sees the same scenario. 3700 Strela MANPADs, to be given to Ukraine from warehouses, turned out unable to combat. In 2014, German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen admitted the German Air Force was facing serious challenges, but she did not expect an early solution to the Bundeswehr equipping issue.
She told the Bild am Sonntag that the Bundeswehr is unable to meet all NATO requirements over serious lack of equipment. Berlin did not meet its targets as for the number of aircraft, and could not provide NATO with the aircraft it promised within 180 days, in case of a crisis. As of 2014, 38 of 89 Tornado fighters and 24 of 56 Transall transport aircraft were able to accomplish combat missions.
But meanwhile, Germany actively exported dual-use goods to Russia, adding to its offensive capacity.
With risk high for military clash between Russia and NATO in the Baltic direction, the support by French and German manufacturers to Russian defense industry has already resulted in military imbalance and rose doubts whether Western Europe is able to repel an attack by Russians on any NATO member in Europe.
German and French industry, in fact, contributed to strengthening Russia’s capacity, avoiding the sanctions.
Some NATO members, as a result, made the Alliance more vulnerable by their policies, countering the sanctions, adding to Russia’s military capacity.
There are no signs today that destructive practices is grounding to a halt.
Read also: Germany: NATO’s weak spot-to-be
