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Armenia set to sign $3 billion fighter jet deal with India after Azerbaijan buys warplanes from Pakistan

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 02 November 2025 9:55 AM

In a significant shift altering the security dynamics of the South Caucasus, Armenia is set to finalize a historic defense agreement to acquire twelve Su-30MKI multirole fighter jets from India, months after neighboring Azerbaijan signed a similar deal with Pakistan.

Valued between $2.5 billion and $3 billion, the agreement marks Armenia's largest-ever arms purchase and India's first export of newly built combat aircraft.

Deliveries are expected to begin by 2027, with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) customizing the jets to feature Indian-designed active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, Astra beyond-visual-range missiles, and electronic warfare systems.

The package includes eight to twelve Su-30MKI aircraft, along with pilot training, spare-part logistics, ground support equipment, and long-term maintenance infrastructure.

These enhancements would make the Armenian variant one of the most sophisticated export versions of the Su-30MKI to date.

The negotiations unfold amid growing geopolitical tensions with Azerbaijan, which continues to modernize its air force through collaborations with Pakistan and Turkey.

In recent months, Azerbaijan reportedly signed a $4.6 billion agreement with Pakistan to acquire 40 JF-17 Block III multirole fighter jets as part of its air force modernization program.

Co-developed by Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) and China's Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group (CAC), the JF-17 Block III is equipped with AESA radar, advanced avionics, and the long-range PL-15 BVR missile, providing Azerbaijan with combat capabilities on par with modern fighter fleets across the Caucasus.

The 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war highlighted the devastating impact of asymmetric air power, as Azerbaijan's use of Turkish Bayraktar TB2 drones and Israeli precision munitions overwhelmed Armenian defenses.

Analysts warn that Armenia's procurement could prompt Azerbaijan to accelerate purchases from Turkish or Chinese allies, potentially fueling an arms race in the region.

For India, the deal represents an unprecedented milestone: its first-ever export of a front-line fighter aircraft.

It aligns with India's goal of shifting from a major arms importer to a global defense exporter targeting $5 billion in annual sales by 2025.

India's strategic calculations also regard Armenia as a valuable partner in the Caucasus, a region where Iranian, Chinese, Turkish, and Pakistani influence continues to expand.