Indian Firm Ships Explosives Critical For Russia s War Effort Despite US Warnings
An Indian company recently exported over $14 million worth of HMX, a potent explosive with military uses, to two Russian firms in December 2023, according to Indian customs data obtained by Reuters. This export occurred despite repeated warnings from the United States, which has urged its allies not to aid Russia in its ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
HMX, or octogen, is classified as a high explosive and finds applications in missile warheads, torpedoes, rocket vehicles, and plastic-bonded explosives, as outlined by the U.S. Pentagon's Defense Technical Information Center and various military research sources. The U.S. government has flagged HMX as a crucial component for Russia's defense manufacturing, cautioning that any company or financial institution facilitating its supply to Russia could face sanctions.
The shipments were conducted by Ideal Detonators Private Limited, a company based in Telangana, India. Two separate deliveries were documented: one valued at around $1 million was sent to Promsintez, and another worth $405,200 was dispatched to High Technology Initiation Systems (HTIS). Both shipments arrived in St. Petersburg, as per the customs documentation.
Promsintez is known as a Russian explosives manufacturer and has ties to the military, according to a source from Ukraine's SBU security service. The same source noted that in April 2024, Ukraine executed a drone strike on a facility owned by Promsintez. HTIS, the second recipient, specializes in explosives for both surface and underground mining, as well as engineering projects. Its website identifies it as a subsidiary of Maxam, a Spanish explosives company headquartered in Madrid. Maxam is primarily owned by Rhone Capital, a private equity firm based in New York, founded by former bankers from Goldman Sachs and Lazard.
A source familiar with Maxam informed Reuters that the company is currently divesting its Russian operations while reiterating that HTIS operates independently. An Indian official, who confirmed the shipments, noted that although HMX is primarily used for defense purposes, it does have some limited civilian applications.
India's Ministry of External Affairs stated that all dual-use exports are evaluated in line with India's nonproliferation commitments and are managed within a robust legal and regulatory framework. Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department reiterated its warnings to India and other nations that engaging with Russia's military sector could lead to American sanctions.
A spokesperson emphasized the ongoing dialogue between the U.S. and India on strategic matters, including India’s relationship with Russia. Earlier in July 2024, U.S. President Donald Trump cautioned that nations continuing to purchase Russian crude oil might face a hundred percent tariffs.
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