Armenia is reportedly nearing a multibillion-dollar deal with India to purchase Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)-built Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jets.
The agreement, now in advanced negotiations, is seen as a countermeasure to Azerbaijan’s recent acquisition of 40 JF-17C Block-III fighters from Pakistan, according to a report by Indian Defense News.
If concluded, the deal, estimated at between $2.5 and $3 billion, would mark Armenia’s largest-ever defense procurement and deepen its military ties with New Delhi.
Deliveries are expected to begin by 2027, with HAL customizing the jets to include Indian-designed Uttam AESA radar, Astra beyond-visual-range missiles, and electronic warfare systems.
These upgrades would make the Armenian variant one of the most advanced export versions of the Su-30MKI to date.
Su-30MKI: India’s Flagship Fighter and Expanding Global Reach
First inducted into the Indian Air Force in 2002, the Su-30MKI remains the backbone of India’s air combat fleet. It is equipped with AL-31FP thrust-vectoring engines, capable of supermaneuverability, and can carry over eight tons of mixed armaments, from precision-guided bombs to BrahMos cruise missiles.
Over the past five years, HAL and the Indian Air Force have rolled out major upgrades, including indigenous mission computers, radar warning receivers, and infrared search-and-track systems.
India’s “Super Sukhoi” modernization program began in 2023. It aims to retrofit more than 150 aircraft with digital cockpits, next-generation sensors, and make them compatible with Astra Mk-2 and Mk-3 missiles.
In parallel, HAL has been preparing the production line for potential export orders, with active marketing campaigns targeting countries such as Egypt, Malaysia, and, most recently, Armenia.
The Su-30MKI has also become central to India’s joint weapons integration efforts. The aircraft has previously successfully tested the BrahMos-A supersonic cruise missile in extended-range trials, further reinforcing its strike capabilities.
