In response to Azerbaijan's growing air power backed by Pakistan, Armenia sees India's Su-30MKI fighter jets as a cost-effective and battle-tested alternative. Jetline Marvel writes about this.

This potential deal underscores Armenia's changing defense strategy and India's growing role as a global arms supplier.

Armenia is reviewing its military strategy in response to Azerbaijan's growing air power, which is now backed by a $4.6 billion deal with Pakistan for fighter jets. As Baku prepares to commission 40 next-generation JF-17 Thunder Block III aircraft, Yerevan is turning to New Delhi for a powerful answer: India's Su-30MKI fighters.

Yerevan seeks to deepen this partnership by initiating high-level negotiations for the purchase of Indian-made Su-30MKI fighters. 

Armenia's interest in the Su-30MKIs stems from security concerns following Azerbaijan's large-scale purchase of JF-17 Block III aircraft from Pakistan - fighters equipped with modern avionics and long-range PL-15 missiles. Yerevan views the Su-30MKIs as a strategic equalizer.

India's Su-30MKI fleet has proved its worth, especially during Operation Sindur, where the aircraft carried out precision strikes and showed deep penetration capabilities. The potential deal will make it easier for Armenia to integrate with its existing fleet of Su-30SM aircraft.

The fighter is designed to fly in all weathers and perform air-to-air and air-to-ground attacks. It can fly with autopilot and use radar to navigate at low altitudes, attack both air and ground targets alone or in groups. As of 2024, about 600 such aircraft have been produced. 

Experts believe that HAL's modernized Su-30MKI package, which includes India's Astra missiles, Rudram anti-radar missiles and BrahMos cruise missiles, is a much more advanced and affordable package than Western alternatives.