American company Haas Automation works with Russian military structures

The largest American machine tool company Haas Automation works with Russian military structures in violation of sanctions — PBSO News.

The company does business through its official distributor in Russia and Belarus, Abamet Management LTD. Their clients include the arms manufacturer RATEP, part of the Almaz-Antey holding. 

RATEP produces guidance systems for anti-aircraft weapons used by the Russian military. Haas supplies it with computer numerically controlled machines, or CNCs.

Haas also works with Russian sanctioned firms such as the Vector Research Institute in St. Petersburg and the Research Institute of Electrotechnical Carbon Products in Moscow Oblast. The former helps produce satellites used by Russia to track ships, aircraft and ground vehicles in its war against Ukraine, while the latter manufactures satellites and electronics.

Last year, between March and October, Haas shipped at least 18 batches of equipment to Russia worth $2.8 million.

In addition, Haas continues to support equipment that has already been sold to Russian defence companies by supplying them with spare parts and software updates.