Will India Produce And Export Russian Su-30s To Circumvent US Sanctions?

India operates an eclectic mix of fighter jets procured from several countries, but the largest share is Soviet/Russian-origin fighter jets - mostly produced in India under license. Currently, India is only producing 12 indigenous Tejas fighter jets annually (rising to 18 in 2025). Separately, India is also negotiating a deal to produce more of its Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules locally under license.

Now, there are reports it may restart production of Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighters for export. US CAATSA Act and sanctions In 2017, the United States passed the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), which imposed sanctions on Iran, North Korea, and Russia. Of interest here, it imposes sanctions on countries purchasing Russian fighter jets.

Since the act's passage, various countries, from Egypt to the Philippines, have canceled contracts to purchase Russian fighter jets and military helicopters. Multiple would-have-been deals were likely discontinued before they were announced. CAASTA in action: Egypt canceled Su-35S order Indonesia canceled Su-35 order The Philippines canceled Mi-17 and Mi-171 helicopter order Serbia backed away from purchasing S-300 or S-400 SAMs Russian fighter jet exports have collapsed , with very, very few new orders for Russian fighter jets being placed (heavily sanctioned Iran being an exception, which is now purchasing the canceled Egyptian fighter jets).

The US reserves the right to allow for exemptions (like it did with Indi.