Thread by @ElgunHasanli

#Armenia is working on purchasing 4+ generation #Russia|n Su-30SM aircraft. The officials refuse to provide details about the number of aircraft, amount of the possible contract, etc.

It is expected that #Armenia will acquire at least 1 squadron (12 aircraft) of the newest multi-role fighters purchased both at the expense of $100 million loan and budget funds.

The main question question is whether #Armenia needs such a long distance fighter considering the small territory of the country. Does it worth to acquire them considering the maintenance of Su-30SM could be quite expensive for Armenia's defence budget?

The cost-benefit ratio of operating two-engine heavy fighter within such a small area would possibly be negative.

Another issue is the high operational cost of the Su-30SMs. The approximate flight hour cost for Su-30SMs is estimated at a minimum of $35,000. A pilot needs at least 100 hours a year to be ready for military operations.

If #Armenia prepares only 24 pilots for 12 double aircraft (a possible minimum), we are talking about $42 million a year just to keep the aircraft ready. This would be around 7% of the 2019 budget for defence.

If we come out to the amount of the possible contract, these new toys would be quite heavy deal for Armenian state budget and economy.

One aircraft cost about $50m, the normal price for Su-30SMs for third countries. For example, the #Russia|n Defence Ministry purchased the fighters for $35m – more than 30% cheaper. #Kazakhstan bought the aircraft at almost the same price.

According to Russian media sources, Belarus recently purchased one squadron of Su-30SM for $600 million. Calculating one fighter for Armenia with minimum $35m, a squadron will cost around $420 million.

After looking through the points, which country is more interested in the contract of "an unaffordable Russian luxury"? #Russia or #Armenia? That is an open question and surely, time will reveal...

I would like to learn your opinion on it. @TyrannosurusRex @Acemal71 @CagataiTemuchin @Maron40942335 @rashadsm @joshuakucera @emil_sanamyan @atanessi @517design @ArtyomTonoyan @A_Melikishvili @NKobserver

#Kommersant: Moscow and Yerevan have signed a contract for the purchase of four Su-30SM multi-role fighters, which #Armenia should get as early as 2020. They will be sold at domestic prices within the framework of the $100 million loan.
kommersant.ru/doc/3868951