SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
In a bid to strengthen its defence ties and expand its footprint in the global arms market, India recently hosted a delegation of Armenian Air Force officials for a detailed briefing on the indigenous Tejas Mk1A and Tejas MkII fighter jets.
The briefing, conducted by representatives from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), comes at a time when Armenia is seeking to modernize its ageing and limited air fleet in response to Azerbaijan’s recent acquisition of JF-17 fighter jets from China. The development underscores India’s growing efforts to boost defence exports, particularly to Armenia, which has emerged as one of the largest importers of Indian-made weapons in recent years.
The South Caucasus region has long been a hotspot of tension, with Armenia and Azerbaijan locked in a protracted conflict over the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Both nations maintain relatively small air forces, but recent moves by Azerbaijan to bolster its aerial capabilities have raised concerns in Yerevan. The Azerbaijani Air Force recently placed an order for 16 JF-17 Thunder jets—a lightweight, multi-role fighter developed jointly by China and Pakistan. With an existing fleet of 11 MiG-29 fighters, Azerbaijan’s acquisition of the JF-17 gives it a numerical and technological edge over Armenia’s meagre combat fleet.
Armenia’s Air Force currently operates just three multi-role Su-30SM fighters, supplemented by a modest number of Su-25 ground attack aircraft. The Su-30SM, a Russian-made 4.5-generation fighter, provides significant capability, but its limited numbers leave Armenia vulnerable in the face of Azerbaijan’s growing air power. The Su-25s, while effective for close air support, lack the versatility and air superiority capabilities needed to counter modern multi-role fighters like the JF-17 and MiG-29.
Against this backdrop, India’s briefing on the Tejas Mk1A and MkII jets aimed to position these indigenous fighters as viable options for Armenia’s air force modernization. However, sources familiar with the matter told idrw.org that the Armenian Air Force officials were not particularly impressed with the Mk1A, citing its still-evolving production timeline and concerns about its suitability for Armenia’s specific operational needs.
The Tejas MkII, on the other hand, garnered more interest. Designed as an enhanced version of the Mk1A, the MkII promises greater range, payload, and performance, thanks to its more powerful General Electric F414 engine and a redesigned airframe with canards for improved maneuverability. HAL is targeting the completion of the first MkII prototype by the end of October 2025, with its maiden flight scheduled for March 2026. Sources indicated to idrw.org that the MkII’s projected capabilities—combined with its alignment with Armenia’s requirements for a versatile, cost-effective multi-role fighter—made it a more appealing option for the Armenian delegation.
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