Published : 07 Oct 2025, 06:46 AM
Updated : 21 Aug 2026, 02:33 PM
Selling fighter jet engines to Pakistan will benefit India, a Russian defence expert has claimed amid growing debate in Delhi over Moscow’s reported plan to supply RD-93 engines for Pakistan’s Chinese-made JF-17 aircraft.
Pakistan uses the Chinese-built JF-17 fighter jets and is reportedly seeking to buy engines for them from Russia -- India’s long-time strategic partner.
The reports have stirred controversy in India, where questions were raised about why Moscow would agree to military cooperation with Pakistan, a country viewed as India’s adversary.
Amid the debate, Russia initially said no confirmed agreement had been reached with Pakistan.
Pyotr Topychkanov, head of the South and Southeast Asia Section at Russia’s state-run Primakov Institute, however, claimed that if Moscow indeed sells the engines, India would actually “benefit”.
He explained his reasoning in an interview with Indian news agency PTI, saying: “Firstly, it shows that China and Pakistan haven't yet managed to replace the Russian-origin engine.
“Secondly, the new aircraft will be familiar and predictable to India, especially since they share the same engine and India observed the JF-17's operational use during the May 2025 crisis (Operation Sindoor),” he added.
The Indian Air Force’s MiG-29 fighter jets, developed in collaboration with Russia, use a similar engine type.
India and Russia are scheduled to hold their annual summit in December, which Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to attend.
Key bilateral discussions on defence cooperation are likely to take place during the visit.
India remains one of Russia’s largest defence partners, purchasing a significant amount of military equipment, including the S-400 air defence system, which India used during “Operation Sindoor” in May against Pakistan.
India also imports large volumes of crude oil from Russia.
