HMRC said Airbus Operations Limited admitted multiple record-keeping breaches tied to controlled technology transfers, in the largest compound settlement yet disclosed for UK strategic export offences.
Airbus Operations Limited has paid more than £6.4 million to HM Revenue and Customs after admitting multiple breaches of UK Strategic Export Controls, in what HMRC described as the highest compound settlement ever reached for strategic export offences. The company disclosed the matter in quarterly earnings notes, while UK authorities said the breaches involved repeated failures over a sustained period to keep accurate records and registers for tangible and intangible exports or transfers of controlled technology under several Open General Export Licences, as well as one breach of conditions tied to a Standard Individual Export Licence. HMRC said Airbus Operations Limited self-reported the breaches and fully cooperated with the investigation. The case comes as HMRC moves to publicly identify companies that accept such settlements, a shift officials say is intended to improve transparency and align the handling of strategic export violations more closely with other UK law enforcement bodies.