'Familiar and predictable': Will potential sale of RD-93 engines to Pakistan benefit India? Russian experts think so

NEW DELHI: Russian defence experts have downplayed concerns over Moscow’s reported supply of RD-93 engines to Pakistan for its JF-17 fighter jets, reports news agency PTI.

The experts argued that the move could, in fact, work to India’s advantage.


Pyotr Topychkanov, who leads the Section on New Challenges in South and Southeast Asia at the Primakov Institute in Moscow, said the opposition’s criticism of the Indian government was misplaced. “I don't think the criticism here is justified. If reports about Russia providing engines for the JF-17 are correct, it actually benefits India in two ways,” he said.

He explained that Pakistan’s dependence on the Russian-made RD-93 engines highlighted Beijing and Islamabad’s inability to develop an indigenous replacement. “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.

Topychkanov noted that China had earlier sought Russian help for its FC-17 jets and that the possibility of transfer to Pakistan had been raised during the terms of prime ministers Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh.

Another Russian expert, who did not wish to be named, said Moscow had assured India that the RD-93 deal was purely commercial without transfer of technology, while India received the more advanced RD-33 engines under licence. The RD-93, produced by Russia’s Klimov plant, offers greater thrust but a shorter service life of 2,200 hours compared to the RD-33’s 4,000 hours.

Reports suggest that Pakistan is now seeking a modified RD-93 version, though it is not yet developed. There was no official confirmation from Moscow.

Meanwhile, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh demanded answers on Russia’s military support to Pakistan, while the BJP dismissed the reports as “reckless information warfare” and accused Congress of siding with the enemy.
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