SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
Armenia is seeking to bolster its air defence capabilities through a potential two-pronged approach with India. The first involves upgrading its existing fleet of four Su-30SM fighter jets to an Indian “Super-30” configuration.
This upgrade would see the integration of advanced Indian weaponry and technology, including the Astra Mk1 beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile, RudraM air-to-surface missiles, Uttam active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, and an Indian mission computer. Replacing the original Russian PESA radar with the Uttam AESA radar would significantly enhance the detection and targeting capabilities of the Armenian Su-30SMs.
The second potential avenue for cooperation involves Armenia directly purchasing additional Su-30MKI fighter jets from India. This move comes after Russia’s recent inability to deliver the remaining eight Su-30SMs Armenia had originally ordered, likely due to production constraints stemming from the war in Ukraine.
Armenia’s interest in Indian Su-30MKIs aligns with Russia’s desire to offload Su-30 production to India in the face of Western sanctions. Reopening the production line in Nashik, India, which closed in 2021, would allow Russia to fulfil existing orders and potentially manufacture additional Su-30MKIs for export. This collaboration would benefit both India and Russia, with India gaining a new export customer and Russia mitigating the impact of sanctions on its arms industry.
The potential deal for additional Su-30MKIs would likely involve the same “Super-30” configuration as the upgrade package for Armenia’s existing fleet. This signifies a growing trust in Indian defence technology and opens doors for future collaborations between India and Armenia in the defence sector.
The success of the upgrade program and potential new purchases will depend on negotiations between India and Armenia. If finalized, this collaboration could set a precedent for future defence deals between the two countries and further strengthen India’s position as a reliable exporter of advanced military technology.
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