Russian Experts Say Reported Sale of JF-17 Engines to Pakistan Could Work in India’s Favour
Russian defence experts have stated that the reported sale of RD-93 engines to Pakistan for use in its JF-17 fighter jets could actually benefit India, dismissing criticism from opposition parties in New Delhi. The remarks come amid growing debate over Moscow’s alleged military cooperation with Islamabad, though there is no official confirmation that Russia has agreed to supply the engines.
Speaking to news agency PTI, Pyotr Topychkanov, head of the Section on New Challenges in South and Southeast Asia at the Primakov Institute in Moscow, said, “If reports about Russia providing engines for the JF-17 are correct, it actually benefits India in two ways.”
Topychkanov explained the dual advantage: “Firstly, it demonstrates that China and Pakistan have not 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 further labelled the criticism of the Indian government as “unjustified,” emphasizing that the development should be seen in the context of India’s long-standing defence relations with Moscow.
Highlighting historical context, Topychkanov noted that China had previously requested Russia to supply RD-93 engines for its FC-17 jets as a temporary measure. Discussions about potential engine transfers to Pakistan had also occurred in India during the tenures of former Prime Ministers Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Dr. Manmohan Singh. Another Russian expert, speaking on condition of anonymity, recalled those talks and stressed that Moscow had assured New Delhi at the time that any RD-93 transactions were purely commercial, with no transfer of technology involved.
“Moscow convinced New Delhi that the RD-93 deal was commercial in nature. India, on the other hand, received a license for a much superior RD-33 engine under a full technology transfer agreement,” the expert added.
The RD-93 engine, produced by the Klimov plant, is a variant of the RD-33 engine used in India’s MiG-29 fighter jets. While the RD-93 offers higher thrust, it comes with a shorter service life—about 2,200 hours compared to the RD-33’s 4,000 hours. Since the early 2000s, Russia has supplied fully assembled RD-93 engines to Pakistan through a trilateral arrangement with China, originally intended for the FC-1 (JF-17) project. Current reports suggest that Pakistan may now be seeking a modified version of the engine, which has yet to be developed.
Despite these reports, no official confirmation has been issued by Moscow regarding any new sale of engines.
Political Debate in India
The news has sparked controversy within India. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh questioned the government on Saturday, asking why India’s “once most reliable strategic ally” would allegedly supply military equipment to Pakistan.
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has rejected these allegations, calling them part of a “reckless information warfare” campaign. BJP leaders accused the Congress of amplifying unverified reports and “choosing the side of the enemy” instead of standing with India’s national interests.
The BJP also emphasised that India’s defence ties with Russia remain robust, pointing to continued cooperation in advanced military platforms such as the S-400 air defence system and nuclear submarine development under long-term strategic agreements.
Strategic Implications
Experts say that even if the reported engine supply to Pakistan occurs, it could provide India with a strategic edge by allowing its armed forces to better anticipate the capabilities and limitations of the JF-17 fighter jets. Observations from prior operations, such as Operation Sindoor in May 2025, would enable Indian defence planners to factor these aircraft into operational strategies.
In summary, while the alleged sale has triggered political debate domestically, Russian analysts view it as a manageable and even beneficial development for India, reaffirming the enduring importance of Indo-Russian defence cooperation in the region.
