Armenia in Talks with India to Modernize its Su-30 Fighter Jets

NEW DELHI — Armenia is seeking India’s assistance to upgrade its small fleet of Russia-built Su-30SM fighter aircraft. This development follows the country’s recent orders for rocket systems, artillery guns, and weapon-locating radars from India, according to top officials familiar with the matter, as reported by the Hindustan Times.

The Su-30 upgrade Armenia is pursuing involves enhancements to avionics, electronic warfare suites, and weaponry.

“We are looking at modernizing our Su-30s with the help of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), as it has significant expertise in this area,” said Colonel Hovhannes Vardanyan, head of Armenia’s Air Force Department. He made this statement on the sidelines of the multilateral Tarang Shakti 2024 air combat drills, which concluded at the Jodhpur airbase on September 13. Vardanyan spoke through an interpreter.

HAL has been manufacturing Russian-origin fighter jets under license for the Indian Air Force at its aircraft manufacturing division in Nashik.

During the International Defense Aviation Exposition 2024, organized at the Jodhpur airbase alongside the exercise, Vardanyan discussed potential areas of cooperation with India’s Chief of Defense Staff, General Anil Chauhan. The exposition was held to showcase India’s capabilities in the defense manufacturing sector to high-ranking officials from 28 global air forces participating in the drills.

A senior Indian official confirmed Armenia’s interest in upgrading its Su-30s through HAL.

“There’s some conversation around that, but it’s at an early stage. The Su-30 variant operated by Armenia is different from the Su-30MKIs used by the Indian Air Force, which will need to be considered, along with the complex regional dynamics. This includes India’s long-standing and trusted defense partner, Russia, moving closer to Azerbaijan following the outbreak of the Ukraine war,” said the official, who requested anonymity.