Illustrative image. (Indian Air Force)
Armenia is close to a multibillion-dollar deal with India to purchase Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)-built Su-30MKI fighter jets, Indian Defense News reported on October 28.
If concluded, the deal, estimated at between $2.5 and $3 billion, would mark the largest defense procurement in the history of Armenia.
Citing sources within the defense industry, Indian Defense News said that the first batch, consisting of 8 to 12 aircraft, is expected to be delivered by the end of 2027. The package includes pilot training, the establishment of maintenance infrastructure, and Indian technical support for the integration of new systems and weaponry.
The Su-30MKIs destined for the Armenian Air Force will feature significant improvements such as the Uttam AESA (active electronically scanned array) radar, integration of Astra Mk-1 and Mk-2 air-to-air missiles, and modern electronic warfare systems.
The agreement, now in advanced negotiations, is apparently meant to counter Azerbaijan’s recent acquisition of 40 JF-17C Block-III fighter jets from Pakistan.
HAL produces the Su-30MKI under license from Russian aircraft manufacturer Sukhoi. Last year, Indian media reported negotiations between the two sides for exporting the fighter jet.
The Armenian Air Force already operates four advanced Su-30SM, which were purchased directly from Russia back in 2019.
Armenia’s decision to purchase additional Su-30s from India instead of Russia is likely motivated by fear of Western sanctions.
Yerevan boosted military cooperation with New Delhi in recent years, buying howitzers, multiple rocket launchers and air defense systems from the country.
The reports of the near Armenian deal came as India is said to be nearing an agreement with Russia to upgrade its own fleet of Su-30MKI with R-37M air-to-air missiles. To integrate the missile, the Indian Air Force could end up equipping the fighter jets with Russian-made Irbis-E PESA (passive electronically scanned array) radars.
India is seeking the missile to counter the threat posed by Pakistan’s JF-17C Block-III and J-10CE fighter jets which performed very well during a short confrontation in May, using Chinese-made PL-15 air-to-air missiles with a range of over 200 kilometers. Azerbaijan will reportedly be getting the same missile.
A more advanced Russian version of the Su-30, like the Su-30SM2 which comes already upgraded with the Irbis-E and R-37M, or even the Su-35S that has the same capabilities would have been a better option for Armenia. Reports from earlier this year suggest that Moscow has already exported the latter to both Algeria and Ethiopia. Yerevan could, of course, end up getting a Su-30MKI upgraded with the same specifications.
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the su-30 mk1 is the basic model superseded by various mk numbers as well as china buying them and doing redesign work on them by fitting upgraded electronics .its a good plane somewhat like the us- f-15 but getting long in the tooth compared to the latest military jets . india builds them under license.
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they’re built in india doesn’t mean the indian government nationalised military industrialism little ears .anymore than the us selling arms like tomahawks means they’re government owned fhey aren’t it’s open misrepresentation of the facts intended to decide dummies 101 by design. allegedly. to deceive them about nationalism and patriotism for privatised profiteers benefits in more ways than one.
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indian jets have the controlls the wrong way around.
give it a rest it’ll drop off when it’s ripe.
built in russia just like as in china dies not mean the factory us owned by russia or china .it’s usually someone wanting cheap labour in china ,some opportunistic billionaires asvabtaging communism there and some others utilising low labour costs in russia. you should actually take a real look .