Armenia is not proceeding with India’s underperforming Su-30MKI because It is primarily built with Russian components, and Russia failed to defend Armenia. Armenia will start negotiating with France to purchase 24 Rafale fighter jets.
Armenia planned to purchase Su-30MKI multirole fighters, produced under license by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), in a contract estimated to be between $2.5 and $3 billion. Indian Air Force lost more than two dozens of Su-30MKI during peacetime due to engine failure and avionics malfunctions.
Many analysts and Armenian officials argue that Russia failed to defend Armenia, particularly during the 2023 Nagorno-Karabakh offensive, because Russian peacekeepers did not intervene to stop.
Azerbaijan’s attack. This perceived failure, coupled with Russia’s inability to deliver paid-for weapons, has caused Armenia to reconsider its reliance on Russia and seek security guarantees elsewhere.
Russian peacekeepers did not prevent Azerbaijan’s 2023 offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh, an action viewed by Armenia as a breach of security guarantees.
Armenia’s attempts to invoke its membership in the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) to get a response to attacks on its territory were unsuccessful.
Russia failed to deliver weapons and military equipment that Armenia had paid for, forcing Yerevan to seek alternative sources for its arms.
Russia is under strict international sanctions and would not be able to deliver components required to manufacture Su-30MKI, and HAL has a history of selling secondhand and refurbished components to the Indian Air Force’s Su-30MKI.
The primary objective of purchasing the Rafale fighter jet is to enhance Armenia’s air capabilities amid a growing regional threat, particularly following Azerbaijan’s acquisition of 40 JF-17C Block III fighter jets from Pakistan.
The Su-30MKI performed poorly against the Pakistan Air Force’s F-16 Fighting Falcon during multiple Kashmir skirmishes.
Beyond the military reinforcement, the deal also symbolizes a shift in Armenia’s foreign policy, as the country strengthens its ties with France as a new strategic defense partner — reflecting Yerevan’s gradual move away from Russia’s traditional sphere of influence.
Armenia has begun to shift its foreign policy, seeking closer ties with Western partners and questioning its traditional security alliance with Russia. Armenia has frozen its participation in the CSTO and is considering leaving the military alliance, while also opting to have an E.U. monitoring mission.
The incidents have led to a significant loss of trust in Russia as a security guarantor, causing Armenia’s leadership to publicly state that they can no longer rely on Moscow for protection, notes Politico.eu.
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