**‘Benefits India’: Russian Expert Supports Reported Sale of RD-93 Engines to Pakistan**
*By Snehil Singh | Oct 06, 2025, 3:45 PM*
A recent report about Russia potentially supplying RD-93 engines to Pakistan for its JF-17 fighter aircraft has sparked significant discussion. While the news has caused controversy in India, a Russian defense expert asserts that such a deal could actually offer strategic benefits to India.
**Russian Expert Highlights Strategic Advantage**
Pyotr Topychkanov, head of the Section on New Challenges in South and Southeast Asia at Moscow’s Primakov Institute, defended the reported sale. He emphasized that if true, the deal underscores China and Pakistan’s continued dependence on Russian technology.
Topychkanov explained that this dependence works in India’s favor by making the JF-17 aircraft more predictable. “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 stated.
**Contradictory Reports on Engine Sale**
Despite the expert’s comments, a senior Russian official denied any confirmation of the RD-93 engine supply deal to Pakistan. In a conversation with WION, the insider labeled the rumors as illogical, especially for those closely monitoring major defense deals between Russia and India. The source suggested that these reports might be driven by ulterior motives aimed at undermining promising cooperation ahead of high-level diplomatic contacts.
**Political Fallout in India**
The alleged deal has ignited political controversy within India. The opposition Congress party has criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government for failing to prevent the sale of advanced RD-93 engines to Pakistan. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh questioned why Russia would continue offering military support to Pakistan while India is actively procuring sophisticated defense equipment like the S-400 missile systems and negotiating for the Su-57 stealth fighters from Moscow.
In response, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) defended the government, dismissing the reports as “reckless information warfare.” BJP IT-cell head Amit Malviya cited Russia’s clarification on the matter and accused Congress leaders of making baseless accusations based on sources known for pro-Pakistan propaganda.
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This developing story highlights the complex interplay of defense diplomacy, strategic interests, and political narratives shaping India-Russia-Pakistan relations. Further official updates are awaited to clarify the situation.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/world/russian-expert-defends-rd-93-sale-to-pakistan/story
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