Russia refuses to establish specialized service and repair centers for RD-93 engines in countries that purchase JF-17 fighters from China, including Pakistan, according to the Indian defense publication IDRW.
The RD-93 (a modification of the RD-33 engine from the MiG-29) is sold exclusively to China under contracts with restrictions on re-export and technology transfer without Russian approval. Countries operating the JF-17 are forced to rely on Chinese or Pakistani facilities rather than direct support from the Russian manufacturer. Pakistan, despite its status as a primary operator of the JF-17 alongside China, has repeatedly been denied requests to establish a full-fledged RD-93 overhaul center on its territory. Similar restrictions apply to any future buyers of these fighters.
This position is linked to the protection of intellectual property and Russia's strategic interests, including close defense cooperation with India. By supplying engines only through China and not granting end-users full autonomy in maintenance, Moscow avoids excessive involvement in third-party defense programs and maintains control over the supply chain.
For the Pakistan Air Force, this means the need to seek alternative solutions. Islamabad has already invested in its own facilities at the Kamra aviation complex but has faced the problem of limited access to Russian spare parts amid sanctions.
Such restrictions may deter potential buyers of the Chinese-Pakistani JF-17, who require constant technical support from the manufacturer, the IDRW article notes. For the JF-17 program, which aims for broader international markets, the lack of engine maintenance by Russia remains a serious deterrent.