• Source:JND
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The reported sale of RD-93 engines to Pakistan for integration into the JF-17 fighter jet has sparked debate in India, but Russian defence experts argue the deal could ultimately benefit New Delhi. Under a longstanding trilateral arrangement, Russia, China, and Pakistan have seen the supply of fully assembled RD-93 engines since the early 2000s. Speaking to PTI, Pyotr Topychkanov, head of the Section on New Challenges in South and Southeast Asia at the Moscow-based Primakov Institute, said that criticism of the Indian government over the engine sale is unjustified. “If reports about Russia providing engines for the JF-17 are correct, it actually benefits India in two ways,” he said.

Topychkanov explained that the sale highlights China and Pakistan’s inability to fully replace Russian-origin engines. He noted that the new aircraft will remain familiar and predictable to India, particularly as the Indian military has already observed the operational use of JF-17s during the May 2025 Operation Sindoor.

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China Approached Russia For RD-93 Engines

He further noted that China had approached Russia to supply RD-93 engines for its FC-17 aircraft as a temporary solution. During the tenures of Prime Ministers Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Dr. Manmohan Singh, both the NDA and UPA governments had reportedly raised concerns over the potential transfer of these engines to Pakistan. Another Russian expert, speaking anonymously, recalled discussions where Moscow reassured New Delhi that the RD-93 deal was purely commercial, without technology transfer, while India received licenses for the more advanced RD-33 engines under a transfer of technology (ToT) agreement. 

The RD-93 engine, produced by Russia’s Klimov plant, offers higher thrust than its base model RD-33 but has a shorter service life, 2,200 hours compared to 4,000 hours for the RD-33.

Opposition Criticism In India

Despite these expert reassurances, Indian opposition leaders have expressed concern. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh demanded an explanation from the Modi government, questioning why Russia would proceed with supplying advanced RD-93MA engines to Pakistan’s Block III JF-17s, even after interventions by EAM S. Jaishankar in June 2025. Ramesh highlighted that these aircraft could carry PL-15 missiles reportedly used during Operation Sindoor and noted that India continues to procure S-400 missile systems and negotiate for Su-57 stealth fighters from Moscow. 

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(With inputs from agencies)