Vladimir Putin's malfunctioning VIP jets get serviced in this French firm

The French company PGA, which is owned by the American conglomerate Astronics, has been servicing aircraft for Russian VIPs—including Vladimir Putin and Sergei Shoigu—as well as the Federal Security Service, according to a report by the French newspaper "Le Parisien." The report cites a former senior manager of the company as its source.

In Chateauroux, central France, PGA specializes in installing and integrating electronic systems in commercial and military aircraft.

The newspaper's source revealed that, since the beginning of the Ukraine invasion in 2022, PGA has made between four and five million euros from servicing seven Russian aircraft. The contracts for these services ranged from 300,000 euros to 1.5 million euros. They included planes used by prominent Russian figures such as Vladimir Putin, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, former President Dmitry Medvedev, and two aircraft belonging to the FSB.

To circumvent sanctions against Russia, PGA allegedly sends equipment through Armenia and receives payments via financial institutions in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The goods purportedly were stealthily included in containers that were officially listed as carrying other materials.

The newspaper's informant disclosed that in December 2023, the Russian authorities ordered electronic equipment worth one million euros for Putin's aircraft, slated for delivery by year's end. This information was said to have been obtained from industry contacts.

The exact nature of the systems sold to the Russians remains unclear, but it is known that PGA has been active in Russia since 2016.

According to "Le Parisien's" source, the company's engagements in Russia have led to a significant exodus of managerial staff from PGA, drawing scrutiny from French officials.

As of yet, PGA has not responded to "Le Parisien" inquiries regarding its connections with Russia.