SOURCE: AFI
Recent claims on the social media platform X by user Tony (@Cyberspec1) suggested that India had confirmed the dispatch of supersonic “BrahMos” cruise missiles to Armenia. These assertions, however, appear to be unfounded based on the technical specifications and operational readiness of Armenia’s Su-30SM fighters.
Tony @Cyberspec1 stated that the BrahMos cruise missiles, which can be launched from Su-30 fighters, had been sent to Armenia, leveraging the fact that Armenia possesses Su-30 aircraft.
While Armenia does have Su-30SM fighters, these aircraft are not inherently compatible with the BrahMos missile system without significant modifications. The integration of BrahMos missiles onto Su-30 aircraft, whether the MKI or SM variant, requires extensive structural reinforcement. The weight of the BrahMos missile necessitates strengthening the airframe, particularly around the hardpoints where the missile would be mounted.
In India, the Su-30MKI was modified by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to carry the BrahMos, involving complex engineering to ensure the aircraft could handle the missile’s weight and dynamics. This process is not a simple plug-and-play scenario for any Su-30 variant, including the Armenian Su-30SM.
Several posts on X, including from users like @ExHighIQ and @defenceglobe, have expressed skepticism about the compatibility of the Armenian Su-30SM with BrahMos missiles without the necessary modifications. They highlight that no such extensive retrofit has been publicly acknowledged or reported for Armenia’s fleet.
There are no credible sources or official statements from either the Indian or Armenian governments confirming the supply or integration of BrahMos missiles with Armenia’s Su-30SM.
While the idea of India supplying BrahMos missiles to Armenia might hold strategic interest, the current state of Armenia’s Su-30SM fleet does not support this claim without significant, unreported modifications. The assertions by Tony @Cyberspec1 appear to be a case of misinformation, highlighting the importance of verifying information, especially in matters of national and international security. As of now, there’s no substantiated evidence or official confirmation from either country to support the dispatch of BrahMos missiles to Armenia.