Armenia is on the verge of finalizing a colossal $3.5 to $4 billion arms procurement agreement with India. This significant deal, aimed at bolstering Armenia’s defense capabilities amid escalating tensions with Azerbaijan, is expected to include advanced air defense systems, potent missile platforms, and modern artillery. The agreement marks a substantial expansion of India’s strategic influence within the South Caucasus region.
Central to the discussions is the Akash-NG missile system, lauded for its enhanced interception prowess and extended operational range compared to previous iterations. This system previously garnered attention during India’s Operation Sindoor and is poised to become a cornerstone of Armenia’s multi-tiered air defense strategy.
Furthermore, Armenia has expressed keen interest in acquiring India’s formidable BrahMos supersonic cruise missile. This potent weapon system has a historical precedent of significant impact. Defense experts view this comprehensive deal as a critical modernization initiative for Armenia’s armed forces, simultaneously propelling India’s defense export objectives and the ‘Make in India’ initiative.
India has been a consistent supplier of advanced weaponry to Armenia since 2022. Previous supplies have included the Pinaka multi-barrel rocket system, Konkurs anti-tank guided missiles, 155mm howitzer guns, the Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS), Akash and Akash-NG air defense batteries, anti-drone systems, and various small arms ammunition.
The scope of the collaboration may even extend to a co-production framework for the BrahMos missile, potentially enabling select component manufacturing within Armenia. This strategic partnership is seen as a mutual benefit, strengthening Armenia’s military posture while amplifying India’s geopolitical footprint in the South Caucasus.
Armenia has rapidly ascended as a key defense buyer for India. Since 2023, Yerevan has been actively procuring Indian-manufactured defense equipment. India established its first defense attaché in Armenia in 2023, a move reciprocated by Yerevan in April 2024 with the appointment of its own defense attaché in India, a first for the Caucasus region.
The burgeoning defense partnership initially commenced in the early 2020s with a $40 million deal for Swathi weapon-locating radars, which proved effective in operational scenarios. Historically reliant on Soviet-era military hardware, Armenia is undergoing a significant modernization driven by Indian technological advancements. This collaboration signifies a new chapter in regional security, integrating India’s state-of-the-art defense solutions with Armenia’s specific security requirements.
