India is set to begin the delivery of the first Indian-made Akash 1S surface-to-air missile defense systems to Armenia by the end of this year, reports Armenpress, citing the Indian Defense Research Wing (IDRW), a website covering news of India’s military-industrial complex.
The Akash 1S systems utilize a combination of both command and active terminal seeker guidance, providing a robust defense capable of neutralizing aerial targets such as fighter jets, guided missiles, and drones (unmanned aerial vehicles) within a radius of around 4 to 25 km. Manufactured by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), the Akash 1S is an upgraded version of the existing Akash missile that features an indigenous seeker and guidance system, enhancing its target acquisition and interception capabilities.
The acquisition of this cutting-edge air defense system is set to significantly bolster Armenia’s military capabilities and strengthen its defense posture.
IDRW reported that Armenia ordered 15 Akash air defense missile systems in 2022, with the total cost of the deal estimated at approximately $720 million, making Armenia the first foreign buyer of these Indian-made air defense missile systems. The advanced systems being supplied are from the Indian company Bharat Dynamics Limited.
Last month, India’s government reportedly cited a lower total value for contracts signed between Armenia and Indian arms manufacturers in the last few years, putting it at $600 million.
In a report cited by Russia’s TASS news agency on July 23, India’s Finance Ministry described Armenia as the largest importer of weapons from India after Armenia concluded deals on the purchase of Pinaka multiple-launch rocket systems and Akash anti-aircraft systems.
Meanwhile, citing India’s Defense Ministry, the Indian Aerospace Defense News (IADN) publication reported last month that the total volume of weapons purchases by Armenia from India reached $600 million by the start of the current financial year 2024-25. It gave no details of those deals.
India and Armenia have significantly deepened bilateral military cooperation since the 2020 Artsakh war. Their multimillion-dollar defense contracts reportedly call for the delivery of not only Pinaka systems but also Indian-made howitzers, anti-tank rockets, and anti-drone equipment to the Armenian army.
An Indian defense publication reported last September that Armenia is due to receive a total of 90 ATAGS howitzers over the next three years. Six of them have already been delivered to Armenia, it said.
In May this year, military officials from Armenia and India held the first Indian-Armenian “defense consultations” in Yerevan. They set up a “working group” tasked with implementing a plan of joint actions for 2024 and 2025. The military cooperation will involve not only arms supplies but also military education, “tactical training,” and “experience sharing,” according to Armenia’s Ministry of Defense.
Since last October, Yerevan has also signed a number of arms deals with French companies.
