The Indian Air Force operates as many as 262 russian-made Su-30MKI aircraft. With such an extensive fleet, India has become a major center for maintenance and spare parts production, which would be impossible without electronics manufactured by the French defense company Thales.
However, the components sourced from India could be used to sustain russian combat aircraft, particularly the Su-30SM, a variant of the Su-30MKI. The concern stems from cooperation with ARC Group, a company from Kazakhstan which was caught red-handed supplying French parts to russia.
Read more: Su-30SM Would Become Rust If Not For russian Aircraft Repair Scheme Through Kazakhstan – Inform Napalm
As Defense.in further explains, France has officially requested India to tighten the export control of electronic components citing fears that "these crucial systems could be indirectly supplied to russia, bypassing international sanctions."
For a better understanding of what kind of components have a relation to India, the journalists specify that Thales electronics are used for multifunctional displays, navigation systems, and heads-up displays (HUD) planted inside the cockpits of Indian Su-30MKIs. All these parts are "vital for aircraft's operational effectiveness," the article reads.
As for the French request, the reporters note that India's expertise in providing service and key parts for the Su-30MKI maintenance, including those incorporating French-made parts, has positioned the country as an important player in the global Su-30 supply chain, which gives its government the influence it needs to potentially cut off the scheme.
Notably, Paris became concerned about the suspected smuggling of French parts to russia after the whole arrangement was brought to light by the InformNapalm intelligence community. The investigation by this group of OSINT enthusiasts, published in September 2024, has established that the mentioned Kazakh ARC Group company was providing electronics from Thales and Safran to service russian Su-30SM fighters in a direct violation of sanction imposed by the French government.
On a note from Defense Express, although the Indian government has not yet responded to the French request officially, this case illustrates the importance of independent investigations and the media resonance that one has stirred, as it has already prompted action on top level between the countries to close this loophole. Such actions have a direct, although not always clearly visible, effect on russia's ability to sustain its war against Ukraine.
Earlier, Defense Express drew attention to the fact India boots russia out of the Su-30 modernization program, aiming for full independence in providing service for the aircraft both in the domestic and global market. On the other hand, that could be simply an elaborate cover-up for russia to continue selling its Su-30 parts abroad.
Read more: One More Arms Market Lost by russia: Nigeria Becomes the First Country to Buy Indian Helicopters
