Sun Oct 05 19:34:15 UTC 2025: **News Article:**
**Russian Experts Downplay Engine Sale to Pakistan, Claim it Benefits India**
*Moscow, October 6, 2025* – Amidst political controversy in India, Russian defense experts are dismissing concerns over the reported sale of RD-93 engines to Pakistan for integration into JF-17 fighter jets. These experts argue the deal ultimately benefits India.
The controversy arose after Congress leader Jairam Ramesh questioned the Indian government regarding Russia’s continued supply of engines for the Chinese-made JF-17, accusing Russia of providing military support to Pakistan. The BJP countered by calling the reports “reckless information warfare” and accusing the Congress of siding with the “enemy.”
Pyotr Topychkanov, a leading expert at the Primakov Institute in Moscow, stated the criticism was unjustified. He argued that the ongoing need for Russian engines indicates China and Pakistan haven’t developed a suitable replacement. More importantly, the common engine makes the JF-17 aircraft more familiar and predictable to the Indian military, especially considering India’s observations of the aircraft’s operational use during the May 2025 crisis.
Another expert, who requested anonymity, pointed out that Russia had previously assured India that the RD-93 deal was purely commercial and didn’t involve technology transfer. In contrast, India was granted a license for the more advanced RD-33 engines with full technology transfer.
The RD-93 engine, produced by the Klimov plant, provides more thrust than its RD-33 predecessor but has a shorter service life (2,200 hours compared to 4,000). Russia has been supplying the engines to Pakistan under a trilateral agreement with China since the early 2000s. Pakistan is reportedly seeking a modified version of the engine, which is currently under development.
**Summary of Provided Text:**
The provided text is an article published in The Hindu newspaper that discusses the controversy surrounding Russia’s supply of RD-93 engines to Pakistan for its JF-17 fighter jets. Indian opposition parties criticized the move, questioning Russia’s reliability as a strategic ally. Russian defense experts downplayed the concerns, arguing that the sale benefits India because it signals the lack of a domestic alternative by China and Pakistan and allows India to better understand the JF-17’s capabilities. The article also references previous assurances from Russia that the engine deal was purely commercial and highlights the differences between the RD-93 and RD-33 engines. It is part of news in the following categories:
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