Armenia Becomes Major Importer of Indian Weapons with $600 Million in Contracts

India’s government has recently disclosed that Armenia has signed contracts worth $600 million with Indian arms manufacturers over the past few years. This substantial sum shows Armenia's growing reliance on Indian military technology.

A report from India’s Finance Ministry, cited by Russia’s TASS news agency, highlighted that Armenia has emerged as the largest importer of Indian weapons. This development includes deals for the Pinaka multiple-launch rocket systems and Akash anti-aircraft systems. The Indian Aerospace Defense News (IADN) confirmed that by the start of the current financial year 2024-25, Armenia's total weapons purchases from India reached $600 million, though specifics of the deals were not disclosed.

Anil Chauhan chief of India’s Defense Staff, meets his Armenian counterpart, Eduard Asrian, New Delhi, March 2023

The deepening military cooperation between India and Armenia is notable, especially after the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war. During this war, Pakistan, a long-standing rival of India, supported Azerbaijan, Armenia's adversary. This geopolitical dynamic has driven Armenia to strengthen its military ties with India.

These multimillion-dollar defense contracts encompass a range of military equipment. Alongside the Pinaka systems, Armenia is set to receive Indian-made howitzers, anti-tank rockets, and anti-drone equipment. Reports from an Indian defense publication in September indicated that Armenia would receive 90 ATAGS howitzers over the next three years, with six already delivered to the South Caucasus nation.

In May this year, military officials from India and Armenia convened in Yerevan for the first Indian-Armenian “defense consultations,” as described by the Armenian Defense Ministry. During these meetings, they established a “working group” to implement a joint action plan for 2024 and 2025. The military cooperation extends beyond arms supplies to include military education, tactical training, and experience sharing.

Historically, Russia has been Armenia’s main supplier of weapons and ammunition. However, growing tensions with Moscow and the ongoing war in Ukraine have prompted Armenia to seek alternative suppliers. Russia's focus on its own military needs due to the conflict in Ukraine has reduced its capacity to fulfill Armenia’s defense requirements.

Since October, Armenia has also inked several arms deals with French companies, further diversifying its sources of military hardware.

Armenia’s $600 million contracts with Indian arms manufacturers signify a strategic shift in its defense procurement. The collaboration not only enhances Armenia's military capabilities but also strengthens bilateral relations with India.