Engine Sale Reported to Pakistan will Help India, Say Russian Experts
Russia has denied recent reports that it will supply RD-93 engines to Pakistan for its JF-17 fighter jets, calling them “mischievous and baseless.” However, Russian defence analysts had earlier argued that if such a deal were true, it could ultimately benefit India.
Denial from Moscow
According to Moscow, the claims about supplying RD-93 engines to Islamabad are false, and no such sale is in the works. Officials reaffirm that Russia’s defence cooperation with India remains a priority, and that it will not supply military hardware to Pakistan that harms India’s security interests.
What Experts Had Argued
Before the denial, some Russian analysts had claimed that the reported supply of engines could be advantageous for India in two ways. First, it would suggest that China and Pakistan cannot yet manufacture or replace the Russian-origin engine independently. Second, since India already monitors the JF-17’s performance and shares similar engine architecture (the RD-33 lineage), the move could make Pakistan’s jets more predictable in operations.
Political and Strategic Fallout
In India, the reports triggered sharp criticism from opposition parties, who demanded clarity from the government about its defense ties with Russia. The ruling party responded, calling the allegations part of information warfare and citing Moscow’s denial in defense of India’s diplomacy.
Even though the engine deal has been denied, the episode fuels tensions over regional military balance and the transparency of defense agreements. It also underscores India’s interest in monitoring developments related to Pakistan’s air force capabilities before they might pose new challenges.
