The reported sale of RD-93 engines for Pakistan’s JF-17 aircraft will be a big plus point for India, according to Russian defence experts’ insight. The response on Sunday came out as a defence to what the Indian government officials deemed an unjustified move, prompting a political dispute between the Congress and BJP.
Pyotr Topychkanov, the head of the Section on New Challenges in South and Southeast Asia at Moscow-based Primakov Institute, stood by the decision over the weekend. Speaking to PTI, he dismissed the emerging criticism, saying, “If reports about Russia providing engines for the JF-17 are correct, it actually benefits India in two ways.”
How RD-93 engines’ reported sale to Pakistan benefits India: Russian expert
He then went on to list two ways how the supposed sale of the engines for their integration into the Chinese-made JF-17 fighter jets would ultimately benefit New Delhi.
“Firstly, it shows that China and Pakistan haven’t yet managed to replace the Russian-origin engine,” he said. “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).”
Topychkanov’s argument followed the Congress questioning the Narendra Modi government over Russia’s reported major exchange with Pakistan despite India firmly standing by the country as a crucial ally even in the face of additional US tariffs amid the nation’s war in Ukraine.
Russian official slams Pakistan link claim
While the Russian defence expert weighed in on how the speculated sale would reel in a positive aftermath for India, another senior Russian source has since refuted the claim altogether.
Speaking exclusively to WION, the insider said of the purported sale, “No confirmation on such a development. It looks illogical for serious and professional observers, who trace big deals ahead between Russia and India. Don’t have such a level of cooperation with Pakistan, which would make India feel uncomfortable.”
Additionally, the Russian source insinuated that ulterior motives may have fuelled the rumours in question. “Someone trying to compromise exceptionally promising and forward-looking cooperation, especially on the eve of high and highest level contacts,” they added.
The rebuttal came as headlines continue to highlight that Russian President Putin’s New Delhi visit is scheduled for early December, with PM Modi as the annual summit’s host.
Congress vs BJP incited over Russia reportedly backing Pakistan
On Saturday, Congress general secretary (communication) Jairam Ramesh slammed Prime Minister Modi in a social media post, saying the government “must explain why Russia’s, which was once India’s most reliable strategic ally, has chosen to ignore New Delhi’s appeal and proceeding with suppling advance RD-93MA engines to Pakistan.”
Pointing out that the reports of the said sale had made headlines despite External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar speaking out against the issue in June. “The latest Block III variant of this aircraft will feature the upgraded engine and the same PL-15 missiles believed to have been used against our country during Operation Sindoor. The IAF chief has also stated that the JF-17 may be among the Pakistani fighters that were used against us,” the Congress leader continued.
He then switched to demanding an explanation from the Narendra Modi government as to “why a long-time and trusted partner like Russia is now providing military support to Pakistan, even as India continues to purchase S-400 missile systems and negotiates for Su-57 stealth fighters from Moscow.”
Directly targeting PM Modi and his the failure of his “personalised brand of diplomacy,” Ramesh said, “India remains unable to diplomatically isolate Pakistan. Instead, Pakistan’s leadership — including its Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, whose communally poisonous statements provided the immediate backdrop to the Pahalgam terror attack — is being courted very warmly by President Donald Trump and supplied weapons by President Vladimir Putin, all while enjoying unqualified backing from China during Operation Sindoor.”
The BJP has since hit back at the arising allegations. The party’s IT-cell head Amit Malviya then went back to a report citing Russia’s clarification on the matter. He further slammed Ramesh for pushing heated accusations based on an article “which in turn quoted a little-known website notorious for pushing pro-Pakistan propaganda.”