Russia Bypasses Embargo to Import U.S.-Made Waterjet Machines for Military Production

29 November, 2024 OMAX 60120 waterjet machine. Photo credits: kdcapital.com (illustrative photo) Russia continues to import waterjet cutting machines, which are important for the production of military equipment.

Investigators from The Insider media reported that this is happening despite the fact that the United States has imposed an embargo on machine tools and their components. The banned U.S.-made equipment comes through countries such as Turkey, China, Hong Kong, the UAE, and the Maldives. Waterjet cutting machines are used for high-precision cutting of metals, including armor materials.

This method, based on the use of a high-pressure water jet with abrasive powder, prevents the processed parts from overheating. According to customs data, an Omax waterjet machine was imported into Russia this year, as well as many spare parts from manufacturers such as Molex, WSI, KMT, AccuStream, and H2O Jet.

The equipment was supplied by the Russian company Energy Industries LLC, which employs only three people and has an estimated cost of 18,000 rubles, indicating that it is an intermediary activity without production.

The machine was purchased through Yinuo Supply Chain Management Co., Ltd. registered in Hong Kong. Despite this company's activity on the Russian market, its official website could not be found. Emirati Gartech FZE supplied American parts to the Russian company R-Garnet CJSC, which specializes in abrasive materials.

Turkey's Zarif Group Dis Ticaret A.S. imported American parts for the Czech PTV JETS machine, working through its Russian partner, JSC Twim. This company, according to its website and information from the Czech manufacturer, is the official representative of PTV in Russia.