Armenia Wants Su-30MKI, Not Tejas — Online Disinformation Exposed

In the aftermath of the Tejas crash at the Dubai Airshow, social media was flooded with sensational claims that Armenia had “canceled” a supposed deal for Indian-made LCA Tejas fighters.

But the truth is far simpler — and far more inconvenient for those spreading disinformation. Armenia never evaluated, negotiated, or planned to buy the Tejas in the first place.

Yerevan’s fighter-jet talks with India have always focused on one aircraft only: the Su-30MKI, a heavy, long-range, multirole platform that fits Armenia’s strategic requirements far better than a light fighter like the Tejas.

Disinformation After the Dubai Crash

Shortly after the Tejas accident, a Turkish-linked social media account, Clash Report, falsely claimed that Armenia had “suspended negotiations” for 12 Tejas aircraft worth $1.2 billion.
The implication was clear: the crash had supposedly derailed India’s first potential Tejas export order.

Within hours, Indian analysts and outlets like Eurasian Times debunked the claim, confirming that Yerevan has never held any talks for the Tejas. The narrative was simply an attempt to weaponise a tragedy and cast doubt on India’s export credibility.

Armenia’s Real Interest: The Su-30MKI

Behind the noise, the real story is straightforward. Since late 2024, Armenia has been in advanced discussions with India to acquire 8–12 Su-30MKI fighters, along with training, spares, weapons, and long-term maintenance support.

The Su-30MKI — co-developed by Russia and India and produced by HAL — is ideally suited to Armenia’s defence needs:

• Heavy, twin-engine design for long-range patrols
• Multiple weapon carriage points
• High endurance and payload
• Proven combat versatility

For a country with no modern multirole fighter fleet, the Su-30MKI offers a transformational leap in airpower, deterrence, and situational awareness. The Tejas, by comparison, was never on Armenia’s evaluation list — neither operationally nor politically.

Indian Technology + Russian Design: Armenia’s Customized MKI

The Armenian Su-30MKI package will combine Russia’s airframe and flight performance with Indian-made avionics and weapons, including:

• Uttam AESA radar for superior tracking
• Astra Mk-1 & Mk-2 BVR missiles for long-range air combat
• Indigenous EW suites for survivability
• Integration with future Indian smart munitions

This customisation gives Armenia a major advantage against regional rivals — especially Azerbaijan, which recently inducted JF-17C Block-III fighters from Pakistan. Deliveries are expected to begin in late 2027, with full induction by 2029, matching HAL’s Su-30 production timelines.

Why the Crash Will Not Affect Armenia’s Procurement

Defence experts note that isolated airshow accidents rarely impact fighter acquisitions, especially those involving aircraft not even under consideration. Armenia’s procurement path remains focused on the Su-30MKI — a platform it views as the backbone of its future air force.

Context: India’s “Super Sukhoi” Upgrade Strengthens the MKI Ecosystem

India is simultaneously modernizing nearly 200 Su-30MKIs under the “Super Sukhoi” upgrade program, which will transform them into 4.7-generation fighters equipped with:

• AI-enabled glass cockpits
• Virupaksha AESA radar
• Next-gen electronic warfare systems
• New precision weapons

This modernization strengthens HAL’s production and upgrade ecosystem — directly benefiting export customers like Armenia.

Conclusion

Despite viral social-media narratives, there was never an Armenia–Tejas deal to cancel. The story was a deliberate fabrication exploiting a mishap unrelated to Armenia’s defence plans.

What Armenia actually wants — and has consistently negotiated for — is the Su-30MKI, a combat-proven heavyweight platform offering the range, payload, and deterrence that Yerevan urgently needs. In the end, facts matter: Tejas was never on the table. The Su-30MKI always was.

For more aerospace news, check out JetlineIntel.
Want to buy aviation merchandise? Visit Jetshop.in.
To read Jetlinemarvel’s updates on Google News, head over to Google News.