Airbus has been under criminal investigation in the UK over potential breaches of export control rules, the aerospace and defence company has confirmed.
The investigation was launched by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) following an an audit by a Department for Business and Trade team responsible for the export controls and licensing for military and dual-use items.
HMRC has declined to comment on any investigations.
Airbus told The Epoch Times by email, “Airbus confirms it was notified that a criminal investigation had been launched by HM Revenue and Customs into potential export control offences involving several Airbus entities in the UK, following an audit by the UK Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU) in May 2022.”
The statement said Airbus is “working with all relevant authorities to ensure full remediation of all identified deficiencies.”
“The company is fully and voluntarily cooperating in the investigation and does not expect the matter to have a material financial impact,” it added.
An HMRC spokesperson told The Epoch Times via email, “We neither confirm nor deny investigations and we cannot comment on identifiable individuals or businesses.”
The global aircraft manufacturer boasts its status in the UK as the largest civil aerospace company, civil aerospace exporter, space satellite company, and supplier of large aircraft to the Royal Air Force.
As of June 30, the company employed nearly 155,000 people across its three divisions in the UK—Airbus, Airbus Helicopters, and Airbus Defence and Space—according to its financial statements.
The revelation of an HMRC probe comes around nine months after the U.S. State Department formally lifted the threat of charges over alleged violations of export rules in the United States.
Airbus also agreed to appoint an export control compliance officer.
