Armenia has begun negotiations with India on the modernization of Su-30SM fighters, effectively excluding Russia from the project to upgrade these aircraft. The Chief of the General Staff of the Armenian Armed Forces, Edward Asryan, held a meeting with the command of the Indian Air Force.
It should be recalled that in 2019, Armenia purchased four Su-30SM units from Russia. The deal was estimated at $120 million, which is significantly cheaper than usual export prices. However, the fighters were delivered to the republic without missile armament.
Former head of the Armenian General Staff Movses Hakobyan stated that he was initially against the purchase of Russian Su aircraft.
Su-30SM fighters are in Armenia without the missiles intended for them. I warned the leadership about this. I was offered to acquire these fighters when I was the head of the General Staff, but I refused and reported to the country's leadership why we did not need them.
Now Yerevan is seeking a solution through India. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited holds a license for the production and modernization of Su-30 and already has experience in deep modification of these aircraft to meet the requirements of the Indian Air Force.
