Armenia initiates talks with India on upgrading Su-30 fighter jets

Armenia is in talks with the Indian public sector aerospace and defence company Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to modernise its Russian-made Su-30 fighter jets.

Yerevan has already placed orders with New Delhi for missile systems, artillery pieces, and weapon detection radars, Caliber.Az reports, citing Indian media. 

"We are exploring the possibility of upgrading our Su-30 fighter jets with the help of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, given its extensive experience in this field," Chief of the Armenian Air Force Department Hovhannes Vardanyan said. He discussed potential spheres of cooperation with Chief of Defence Staff of India, General Anil Chauhan at the India Defence Aviation Exposition (IDAX-24) in Jodhpur.

An unnamed Indian official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed Armenia's interest in having HAL upgrade its Su-30 fighter jets. The official said that the negotiations are still in the early stages. The Su-30 variant operated by Armenia differs from the Su-30MKIs in service with the Indian Air Force." HAL produces the multi-role Su-30MKI fighter jet in India under Russian license.

The company has built dozens of Su-30s for the Israeli Air Force and is involved in their modernisation. Additionally, HAL manufactures engines for these fighter jets at its facility in Koraput, located in the Indian eastern state of Odisha.