US defence giant RTX has been fined for a series of unauthorised defence technology exports to Australia and other nations.Australia's Defence Department is not commenting on the settlement reached between RTX and the US government but insists it works closely with international partners on export regulations.
Other violations contained in the State Department's "Proposed Charging Letter" included "Unauthorised Exports Related to Sensitive Military Platforms Resulting from Misclassification" which were sent to Australia between 2017 and 2022.Senior executives working for a large US-owned defence company helping to establish a missile production enterprise in Australia have resigned amid tensions with the Albanese government over the multi-billion-dollar project.
Another violation involved providing Chinese citizens information about "an aluminium display housing component of the F-22 Raptor Fighter Aircraft" in Shanghai, data that was later determined to be more sensitive than the RTX employees initially believed. This week, Raytheon Australia referred all enquiries from the ABC about the US export violations to its parent company, RTX Corporation, but a global media relations spokesperson declined to answer specific questions.
"Defence works across government and cooperates closely with international partners, including the United States, in regulating the export and supply of goods and technology controlled on the Defence and Strategic Goods List."