The recent India-Pakistan War featured the latest Chinese-origin jets stacked against a combination of Russian and French fighter jets. While the much-hyped J-10C vs Rafale clash cornered all the headlines, no less interesting was the contest between the JF-17 Thunder and Su-30MKI, a highly customized Indian variant of the Russian Su-30.
Now, it seems that the two fighter jets can square off against each other at another volatile geopolitical flashpoint, this time in the Caucasus.
Pakistan recently signed a US$4.6 billion defense agreement with Azerbaijan to supply 40 JF-17 Thunder fighter jets, along with a US$2 billion accompanying investment package. Azerbaijan had initially ordered 16 JF-17s from Pakistan, but the new contract expands that purchase to 40 aircraft.
The JF-17 Thunder is a single-engine multirole combat aircraft jointly developed by Pakistan and China. It was developed by the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) and China’s Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC). The JF-17 is designed for various roles, including interception, ground attack, anti-ship operations, and aerial reconnaissance.
The deliveries of the 40 jets are expected to take place in phases over the coming years, including training programs for Azerbaijani pilots and technicians.
The addition of 40 JF-17 Thunder fighter jets to Azerbaijan will be a significant capability boost to its Air Force.
Notably, Azerbaijan is embroiled in a long-running conflict with Armenia, much like the India-Pakistan conflict.
Since 2020, Azerbaijan and Armenia have fought three short wars. First in September 2020, then in September 2022, and finally in September 2023, resulting in Baku extending its control over the Nagorno-Karabakh corridor, which was internationally recognized as Azerbaijani territory but was populated by ethnic Armenians and was under the control of Armenia.
Since then, there has been a fragile peace on the border. However, the situation remains tense, and both countries are engaged in an arms race.
Additionally, there is the outstanding issue of the Zangezur Corridor, a proposed route linking Azerbaijan to its Nakhchivan exclave, bypassing Armenia’s Syunik Province.
All these issues mean that the situation could turn volatile at any moment, and Armenia cannot let its guard down.
Thus, Armenia can not ignore the rapid modernization of the Azerbaijani Air Force. Especially given that the Armenian Air Force is already in a dire state.
The Armenian Air Force Needs Urgent Upgrade
Armenia maintains very limited fighter jets in its inventory. The bulk of the Armenian Air Force consists of 10-15 Su-25 Frogfoot. Some of these Su-25s might have been lost in the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh War.
According to some sources, Armenia also has 1-2 MiG-25 Foxbats. However, they might not be operational any longer.
Apart from these old Su-25s, Armenia only has four Su-30SM, which Yerevan bought from Russia in 2019. However, Russia is yet to supply Armenia with the weapons package for these fighter jets, which again means that they are not combat-ready.
Ever since Russia’s involvement in the full-scale Ukraine War, Moscow’s priorities have changed completely, and it is unlikely that Russia will be able to supply Armenia with weapons for these Su-30SM fighter jets or upgrade them.
Armenia was discussing a follow-up order for more Su-30SM fighter jets with Russia in 2020, but again, since the Ukraine War began, the negotiations have been suspended.
In these circumstances, the addition of 40 JF-17 Thunder fighter jets to the Azerbaijani Air Force has the potential to completely alter the balance of power in the volatile Caucasus region.
Armenia Knocks India For Su-30 Fighter Jets
In late October 2024, Armenia initiated talks with India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for 8–12 Su-30MKI variants, potentially canceling a stalled Russian order. However, no formal announcement was made.
However, ever since Azerbaijan announced its deal with Pakistan for 40 JF-17 Thunder fighter jets, Yerevan has once again started exploring the option of buying 8-12 Su-30MKI fighter jets from India.
India manufactures Su-30MKI fighter jets at the HAL facility under license from Sukhoi. Notably, India maintains one of the largest Su-30 fleets anywhere in the world, with the Indian Air Force flying nearly 260 Su-30s.
In December 2024, New Delhi signed a deal with Moscow for producing 12 more Su-30s, with an indigenous content of over 62%.
Why Indian Su-30MKIs Make Sense For Armenia
Buying Su-30MKIs from India is a sensible choice for Armenia for a variety of reasons.
Firstly, India is a reliable security partner for Armenia. Since the 2020 war with Azerbaijan, two countries that have helped Yerevan the most are India and France.
Of course, buying Rafale could be another option, but its heavy price tag of nearly USD100 million could be a roadblock.
“While Yerevan is expected to explore multiple options to bolster its airpower, it is likely to focus on acquiring India-built Su-30MKIs, which are far more cost-effective than French Rafales,” said Sam Lichtenstein, Director of Analysis at risk intelligence firm RANE, in an interview with Forbes.
Armenia has been increasing arms acquisition from India, making significant purchases of Indian-made weapon systems, including the Akash-1S air defense system, as part of a reported US$2 billion defense partnership signed in 2020.
In 2022, Armenia signed a deal with India for 15 Akash-1S air defense systems for US$72 million. Armenia has also ordered at least four units of Pinaka Multi-Barrel Rocket Launchers (MBRL).
Apart from these, Yerevan has also ordered 84 units of Advanced Towed Artillery Gun Systems (ATAGS), Zen Anti-Drone Systems, Swathi Weapon-Locating Radars, Konkurs Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGMs), and a host of other weapon systems.
In fact, according to SIPRI, between 2022 and 2024, India supplied nearly 43% of all Armenian arms imports. Clearly, during these critical times, India has emerged as one of Armenia’s most reliable defense partners.
Secondly, not only does India operate one of the largest Su-30 fleets anywhere in the world, but New Delhi also manufactures them under license domestically. Further, India could also provide Armenia with maintenance and repair facilities for these fighter jets.
But most importantly, India could also provide Armenia with a weapons package and upgrades for the four Su-30SMs that it has already purchased from Russia.
Over the years, India has successfully integrated many indigenous weapons on the Su-30MKIs. This includes the lethal supersonic cruise missile BrahMos. The missile has already proven its worth in the recent India-Pakistan War.
According to multiple reports, Pakistan’s Chinese-manufactured AD systems were unable to intercept BrahMos, which caused significant damage at Pakistani air bases, including one AEW&C aircraft.
Additionally, India has integrated its Astra Mk-1 Beyond Visual Range (BVR) Air-to-Air Missile (AAM) on Su-30s.
Furthermore, Indian Su-30s are integrated with RudraM-III Anti-Radiation Missiles, Smart Anti-Airfield Weapons, Virupaksha AESA Radar, and High Band Jammer Pods. Going forward, India will also integrate Astra MK2 and MK3 AAMs, with ranges of 160 km and 300+km, respectively.
All these integrations, often termed the Super Sukhoi upgrades, make the Su-30MKIs a lethal fighter jet, which can easily dominate the JF-17 Thunder.
“India would likely also be interested in supplying these systems to counter Azerbaijan’s acquisition of fighters from Pakistan, its traditional rival,” Lichtenstein said.
“Apart from seeking new fighter jets to match Azerbaijan’s airpower, Armenia is also expected to enhance its air defence capabilities through systems from India, Iran, and possibly other countries,” he added.
Not to forget that the Su-30 is a double-engine, heavy fighter jet. The Su-30MKI delivers greater power (27,557 kgf total thrust) and maneuverability compared to the JF-17’s single RD-93 engine (8,300 kgf thrust), enabling better acceleration, climb rate, and agility in dogfights.
The Su-30MKI’s maximum takeoff weight of 38,800 kg allows it to carry a heavier payload (up to 8,000 kg, including advanced weapons like BrahMos missiles) compared to the JF-17’s 13,500 kg limit and 4,600 kg payload, enhancing its versatility for long-range strike and air-to-air engagements.
Additionally, the Su-30MKI achieves a top speed of Mach 2.0 and a combat range of 1,500 km (extendable with refueling), surpassing the JF-17’s Mach 1.6 and 1,200 km range, making it dominant in sustained operations and high-intensity combat scenarios.
For Armenia, where evolving regional threats are reshaping its defense priorities, the Su-30MKI represents more than a mere combat aircraft. It embodies a strategic partnership, built on collaborative technology enhancements, seamless supply chain coordination, and a broader geopolitical realignment.
- Sumit Ahlawat has over a decade of experience in news media. He has worked with Press Trust of India, Times Now, Zee News, Economic Times, and Microsoft News. He holds a Master’s Degree in International Media and Modern History from the University of Sheffield, UK.
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- He can be reached at ahlawat.sumit85 (at) gmail.com
