An Indian company exported $1.4 million worth of HMX, a high explosive chemical found in sophisticated military equipment to Russia last December, Indian customs records seen by Reuters showed. The shipments came despite repeated U.S. warnings that India faced the threat of sanctions for helping Russia’s military-industrial complex during its war against Ukraine.
Data show that Ideal Detonators Private Limited, headquartered in Telangana, India, shipped out two shipments of HMX to Russia. One shipment sent to High Technology Initiation Systems had an amount of approximately $405,200, and the other amount over $1 million was sent to Promsintez -an explosives manufacturer to which Ukrainian officials say has military links.
A senior Ukrainian SBU security service official confirmed that Promsintez is related to Russia’s defence industry. In April, Ukraine allegedly attacked an owners’ factory belonging to the company with a drone attack.
U.S. Declares HMX Important to Russia’s War Operations
HMX, or octogen, is classified by the U.S. as a “high explosive” and is considered critical to Russia’s military campaign. The Pentagon’s Defense Technical Information Center and other defense research bodies note that HMX is widely used in missile and torpedo warheads, rocket motors, plastic-bonded explosives, and exploding projectiles.
The U.S. Treasury Department has the authority to impose sanctions on anyone supplying HMX or similar materials to Russia. “We have repeatedly made clear to all our partners, including India, that any foreign company or financial institution that does business with Russia’s military industrial base are at risk of U.S. sanctions,” a U.S. State Department spokesperson told Reuters.
India Defends Its Export Policy
India’s foreign ministry released a statement in its defense of its export procedures: “India has been conducting exports of dual-use goods considering its global obligations with regard to non-proliferation, and as per its strong legal and regulatory framework constituting a comprehensive analysis of concerned criteria on such exports.”
One Indian government official familiar with the shipment confirmed the transaction and pointed out that HMX does have some civilian uses, despite its dominant role in military applications.
Reuters has found no evidence that the shipments violated Indian law or export policy. However, U.S. officials said the sale has not been previously reported and adds to mounting concerns over dual-use items reaching Russia’s defense industry.
Tensions Between Strategic Interests
India has attempted to balance its deepening alliance with the U.S. against its historical defense and trade relationships with Russia. While Washington sees India as an important strategic partner in balancing China’s regional power, India has kept a robust commercial relationship with Moscow, particularly through energy bargains. Its Russian crude imports have surged even as Western nations imposed huge sanctions to limit Russia’s war economy.
“We are aware that isolated cases can occur,” said Ukrainian presidential adviser Vladyslav Vlasiuk. “We can confirm that the Russian company Promsintez has appeared on our radar in the past, including in connection with cooperation involving Indian counterparts.”
Sanctions Strategy Under Scrutiny
Although some Indian entities were sanctioned under former U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration for aiding Russia’s war capabilities, enforcement was measured, considering broader geopolitical dynamics. Two U.S. officials familiar with sanctions policy under Biden noted that punitive actions were applied selectively.
Since Donald Trump’s return to office, sanctions enforcement on Russia-linked activities has slowed down, though. Earlier this month, Trump even threatened to apply 100% tariffs on nations that continue to buy Russian oil, but it is uncertain whether additional action will be taken against Indian companies.
Eric Prince, a partner at the Washington-based law firm Akin, said, “The US often prefers to air its grievances quietly behind closed doors before taking punitive action.”
No Comments from Decision Makers
Ideal Detonators Private Limited did not return Reuters’ request for comment. Promsintez and High Technology Initiation Systems did not respond to queries either.
Russia’s Ministry of Defense could not be reached for comment on this article.
