Armenia in Dire Need for India's LCA Tejas Mk1A as Azerbaijan Acquired JF-17C Jets from Pakistan

Azerbaijan's recent acquisition of JF-17C (Block-III) fighter jets from Pakistan has significantly altered the military balance in the South Caucasus region, leaving Armenia in a vulnerable position. This move has placed increasing pressure on Armenia, a close ally of India, to bolster its air defence capabilities.

The JF-17C, a joint venture between Pakistan and China, is a modern, multi-role combat aircraft capable of undertaking a wide array of missions. Its induction into the Azerbaijani Air Force poses a considerable threat to Armenia's aging fleet of Su-30SM and Su-25 aircraft.

In response to this evolving security landscape, Armenia may be looking to India for military assistance. The Indian-made LCA-Tejas Mk1A, a lightweight, single-engine fighter jet with advanced avionics and weapons systems, could provide Armenia with a much-needed deterrent against potential aggression from Azerbaijan.

The potential sale of the LCA-Tejas Mk1A to Armenia is not without its complexities. India must carefully weigh the geopolitical implications, the cost-benefit analysis, and the potential impact on its domestic defence industry. However, the deal could also solidify India's position as a key player in the region and strengthen its ties with Armenia.

This development comes against the backdrop of Azerbaijan's growing defence cooperation with Pakistan and Turkey, both of whom supported Azerbaijan in its conflict with Armenia last year. The sale of JF-17C jets to Azerbaijan further solidifies this alliance and highlights Pakistan's efforts to expand its influence in the region.

As the geopolitical situation in the South Caucasus continues to evolve, India's response to Azerbaijan's acquisition of the JF-17C will be closely monitored. The decision to provide military assistance to Armenia could have far-reaching consequences for the balance of power in the region and India's strategic interests.

 

[Muthu.Kumar]

I seriously doubt if HAL can get the order considering its state of the art performance domestically.

Probably S.Korea may grab this opportunity.

 

[Anant]

Armenia will face pressure to counter, but they can't do so. The simple fact of the matter is that Armenia is too small, both in size and economic terms, to go into a direct arms race with Azerbaijan.

The defence budget of Armenia is around 1.5 billion USD as of this year, compared to Azerbaijan at 3.6 billion USD. Even if the Armenians wanted a bunch of Tejas Mk 1/1As, they couldn't afford to buy, operate, and maintain more than a very small token number, which would be difficult to keep.

 

[sanket]

For that Uncle Sam needs to supply Engine on Time & needs to Ramp-up production , At the moments they Busy in giving cheques / Aid to ukraine rather than Grabing defence deals to Next Level, Yeah can Donate 60 Bn $ But cant Invest in Enhancing capacities wow

 

[Sub Zero Gaming]

Armenia will face pressure to counter, but they can't do so. The simple fact of the matter is that Armenia is too small, both in size and economic terms, to go into a direct arms race with Azerbaijan.

The defence budget of Armenia is around 1.5 billion USD as of this year, compared to Azerbaijan at 3.6 billion USD. Even if the Armenians wanted a bunch of Tejas Mk 1/1As, they couldn't afford to buy, operate, and maintain more than a very small token number, which would be difficult to keep.

Budget is not an issue India will give them for credit

 

[Ajath Shri]

Made in India Rafale could be the solution for both India and Armenia.

Armenia defence budget may not permit them to buy RAFALE.

 

[Pramkumar]

Best thing is offering the Akash and other SAMs from india for real time target practice.

 

[PKPRS]

Armenia will face pressure to counter, but they can't do so. The simple fact of the matter is that Armenia is too small, both in size and economic terms, to go into a direct arms race with Azerbaijan.

The defence budget of Armenia is around 1.5 billion USD as of this year, compared to Azerbaijan at 3.6 billion USD. Even if the Armenians wanted a bunch of Tejas Mk 1/1As, they couldn't afford to buy, operate, and maintain more than a very small token number, which would be difficult to keep.

They will better go with F16 or Gripen, I don’t think they would want to wait for 5-10 years before getting Tejas MK1A, IAF needs them first, we could also sell them our Mirages or Jaguars and replace them with new Aircrafts.

 

[Neal.B]

Armenia defence budget may not permit them to buy RAFALE.

1 or 1.5 squadron of rafale 4.2 with extended line of credit from India won't have them breaking the bank.
But the question is will India ever be able to manufacture rafale in India till AMCA comes in.

 

[tipoo2]

Made in India Rafale could be the solution for both India and Armenia.

1.5 billion dollars a year in defense budget wouldn't pay for tea time at Dassault. You can extend them a generous loan, but they still have to pay it back. High end fancy fighters just aren't in their scale.

 

[Akhil]

SAMs are much cheaper, Armenia is relatively small. They just need to defend their air and use Brahmos for offensive capability. Will be a great deterrent.

 

[Alok Gupta]

India can not afford to sell any LCAs to anybody because it does not have enough engines to produce aircraft for the IAF. Best would be for India to offer Rudram 1 and Rudram 2 missiles to Armenia. India can also offer the ASTRA missiles as all of these can be mounted on the SU-30 aircraft.

 

[Kira]

The thing with credit is that you still have to pay it back. Moreover, even if we cover the purchase cost through credit, Armenia will still have to bear the operational and maintenance costs, which may well be too much given their budget once you combine it with credit repayments.

Instead of the Tejas, Armenia may be able to use another 2-4 Su-30s better.

Even then,those are a very small number to mount any real air campaign of sorts.Armenia should try to invest in SAMs instead while buying a larger fleet of combat drones from either the West or even PRC.India sadly has nothing credible to offer them either in terms of jets or drones,while Israel is in bed with Azerbaijan(to counter Iran) when it comes to arms transfers.

 

[Anant]

Budget is not an issue India will give them for credit

The thing with credit is that you still have to pay it back. Moreover, even if we cover the purchase cost through credit, Armenia will still have to bear the operational and maintenance costs, which may well be too much given their budget once you combine it with credit repayments.

Instead of the Tejas, Armenia may be able to use another 2-4 Su-30s better.

 

[Bikramjeet Goswami]

Armenia will face pressure to counter, but they can't do so. The simple fact of the matter is that Armenia is too small, both in size and economic terms, to go into a direct arms race with Azerbaijan.

The defence budget of Armenia is around 1.5 billion USD as of this year, compared to Azerbaijan at 3.6 billion USD. Even if the Armenians wanted a bunch of Tejas Mk 1/1As, they couldn't afford to buy, operate, and maintain more than a very small token number, which would be difficult to keep.

Also India doesn't have any Tejas to sell. Production is slow and showing no signs of improvement.

 

[Patriot]

Tejas Mk1A to Armenia?!? What a joke. When when delivery to IAF is soooooo behind schedule, n squadrons are depleting.
High time to take drastic measures:
-Privatise HAL
- Set up 4 production lines with supply chain
- Get GE to set up 404 engine plant in India, using economy of scale
- Then dream of supply to other nations

 

[Sambit Ranjan]

Tejas Mk1A to Armenia?!? What a joke. When when delivery to IAF is soooooo behind schedule, n squadrons are depleting.
High time to take drastic measures:
-Privatise HAL
- Set up 4 production lines with supply chain
- Get GE to set up 404 engine plant in India, using economy of scale
- Then dream of supply to other nations

Why Privatise? Why won't you ask Govt to set up 4 Production lines? If this Govt can't, change the Govt.

 

[Sandeep]

Why Privatise? Why won't you ask Govt to set up 4 Production lines? If this Govt can't, change the Govt.

The issue isn’t how many production lines we have but it’s the lack of manufacturing done on the current existing production lines. Currently HAL are still not manufacturing the maximum number of jets they can produce on the existing production lines so adding more production lines won’t solve the problem.

Also changing government will make the issue even worse. They will simply slow down production and give out excuses by raising problems with the technology. They will simply buy more foreign expensive jets as they earn large commissions from it. All indigenous weapons and technology will be buried under the corrupt jihadi party.

 

[auzain]

Best thing is offering the Akash and other SAMs from india for real time target practice.

Ye chaltay bhi hain?

 

[Neal.B]

Made in India Rafale could be the solution for both India and Armenia.

 

[Anant]

They will better go with F16 or Gripen, I don’t think they would want to wait for 5-10 years before getting Tejas MK1A, IAF needs them first, we could also sell them our Mirages or Jaguars and replace them with new Aircrafts.

True, but the problem with Armenia is that the problem of scale will hit them harder than most. Sir, if you can only have, say, 8 fighters, you want them to be of the same type to improve operations and maintenance.

That interoperability is why I think Armenia will not go for other types of aircraft yet unless it involves potentially replacing the four Su-30s as well, which is not the case yet. Moreover, Armenia will want to take a stance of getting counter-weapon systems to Azerbaijan's weapon systems.

 

[Anant]

Also India doesn't have any Tejas to sell. Production is slow and showing no signs of improvement.

That is the perennial truth. That said, the problem with Armenia is that the problem of scale will hit them harder than most. If you can only have, say, 8 fighters, you want them to be of the same type to improve operations and maintenance.

That interoperability is why I think Armenia will not go for other types of aircraft yet unless it involves potentially replacing the four Su-30s as well, which is not the case yet. Moreover, Armenia will want to take a stance of getting counter-weapon systems to Azerbaijan's weapon systems.

 

[Sumontra Banerjee]

Considering Armenian defence budget they should go for Su24 second hand. India could upgunn them with long rang BVM and Rudram. TEJAMark IA or IIA is not even combat ready and available for IAF.

 

[Sudip Bhattacharjee]

Armenia should immediately order around 18 Tejas MK1A. When survival is at stake, budget should not be a constraint. Since Armenia is the defender and Azerbaijan the aggressor.....even a smaller fleet can defend against a much larger fleet, so Armenia should prirotize survival as Azerbaijan is clearly upping it's antenna to attack. Islamic nations whenever they have upper hand, they definitely attack and its consistent as per historical records