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Gowadia, 66, has spent the past five years in prison.
“We’re a little disappointed she didn’t give him a life sentence, that’s the sentence that would’ve sent the best message. But 32 years is stiff and in many ways an appropriate sentence for him,” said Ken Sorenson, assistant U.S. Attorney.
The sentencing of Mumbai—born Gowadia comes weeks after China conducted a flight test of its new J—20 stealth fighter. He showed no emotion as Chief U.S. District Judge Susan Oki Mollway pronounced the punishment on Monday.
Prosecutors alleged that Gowadia helped design an exhaust nozzle for China that gives off less heat, making it difficult for enemy infrared detectors to track the missile for which he got USD 110,000 over two years.
A U.S. federal jury in August convicted Gowadia of 14 counts, including conspiracy, communicating national defence information to aid a foreign nation, and violating the arms export control act.
“We believe very strongly that he’s innocent and we very much look forward to the appeals process in the 9th circuit,” Gowadia’s son, Ashton was quoted as saying by the local KHON2 news channel.
According to court papers, Gowadia hid the proceeds from the transactions by directing the payments to secret Swiss bank accounts of foundations he set up in Liechtenstein, the government said in recently filed court documents.
Gowadia worked for Northrup from 1968 to 1986, during which time he helped develop the B—2 bomber’s unique propulsion system.
After his employment with Northrup ended, Gowadia continued his relationship with the U.S. military as a private contractor.
However, following some angry dealings with the Air Force and the Los Alamos National Laboratory in 1993, Gowadia began to seek and solicit business internationally, the government says.
Between 2003 and 2005 Gowadia made six secret trips into mainland China and exchanged numerous communications to help Chinese defence engineers design a cruise missile that is able to evade air—to—air, heat—seeking missiles, according to the federal indictment against him.
