SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
France has formally requested India to closely monitor and restrict the supply of French-manufactured Thales multifunction displays, navigation systems, and heads-up displays (HUDs) from being exported, particularly to markets that could indirectly serve Russia. This request comes after reports surfaced about a Kazakhstan-based company bypassing international sanctions by collaborating with Russia to repair and maintain critical avionics systems, which are essential for Russia’s Su-30SM aircraft.
The Su-30SM is a derivative of the Su-30MKI, originally customized for the Indian Air Force (IAF) by Russia, with inputs from India. Several countries, including Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, and Armenia, operate the Su-30SM variant. A critical component of these aircraft is the French avionics systems, notably produced by Thales, which provide crucial functions like multifunction displays, navigation, and targeting.
As part of the Su-30MKI’s development, French-manufactured avionics were integrated to enhance the aircraft’s operational capabilities. These components include multifunction displays that provide real-time data, sophisticated navigation systems for precise flying, and heads-up displays that project critical flight information directly into the pilot’s view, all of which contribute to the Su-30SM’s overall effectiveness. Despite geopolitical tensions and sanctions, the Russian Air Force continues to rely heavily on these French avionics systems to maintain its Su-30SM fleet.
With over 270 Su-30MKI jets, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is the largest operator of this aircraft type, which is closely related to the Russian Su-30SM variant. Indian firms have developed extensive capabilities in maintaining, repairing, and supplying spares for Su-30MKI components, including avionics. This expertise, which has grown over years of collaboration with Russian and French manufacturers like Thales, allows Indian firms to provide spare parts and technical support not only for the IAF’s fleet but also for other Su-30SM operators globally.
In particular, Indian suppliers have become key players in the distribution of spare parts for the French-made avionics systems installed in the Su-30 variants. This has raised concerns, as France fears that some of these spares might eventually find their way to Russia, circumventing international sanctions imposed on the country following its invasion of Ukraine.
While the Indian government has yet to officially respond to France’s concerns, the issue highlights the growing scrutiny on the global defence supply chain, particularly regarding countries like India that operate a mix of Western and Russian equipment. The IAF’s role as the largest operator of Su-30 variants and India’s position as a supplier of critical components place the country in a pivotal role in determining the flow of sensitive defence technologies.
Indian defence firms involved in supplying spare parts for the Su-30MKI will likely face tighter export controls and increased scrutiny in light of these concerns. At the same time, this situation underscores the need for India to continue pursuing self-reliance in defence manufacturing to reduce dependencies on foreign suppliers, particularly in the context of geopolitical tensions and international sanctions.
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