Armenia is reportedly close to finalizing a multibillion-dollar defense deal with India to acquire Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jets built by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). According to reports from Indian Defense News, negotiations have reached an advanced stage, with the procurement seen as a direct response to Azerbaijan’s purchase of 40 JF-17C Block-III fighters from Pakistan.
If concluded, the deal — valued between $2.5 billion and $3 billion — would represent Armenia’s largest-ever defense acquisition and significantly deepen its strategic and military partnership with New Delhi. Deliveries are expected to commence by 2027, with HAL tailoring the jets to Armenia’s needs. The aircraft will reportedly feature Uttam AESA radar, Astra beyond-visual-range missiles, and indigenous electronic warfare systems, making them among the most advanced export variants of the Su-30MKI ever produced.
The Su-30MKI, India’s flagship multirole fighter, has been the backbone of the Indian Air Force (IAF) since its induction in 2002. Powered by AL-31FP thrust-vectoring engines, the jet delivers high agility and can carry over 8 tons of mixed weaponry, including precision-guided bombs and BrahMos cruise missiles.
In recent years, HAL and the IAF have undertaken major modernization efforts under the “Super Sukhoi” program, launched in 2023, to upgrade over 150 aircraft with digital avionics, next-gen sensors, and Astra Mk-2 and Mk-3 compatibility. HAL has also ramped up its export marketing campaigns across Egypt, Malaysia, and Armenia, as India positions the Su-30MKI as a key component of its defense export strategy.
