TSAMTO, August 18. Armenia and India will deepen cooperation in the defense industry. The relevant memorandum of understanding was signed between the Ministry of High-Tech Industry of Armenia and the Ministry of Defense of India.
On August 17, Minister David Tadevosyan received a delegation led by Secretary of the Ministry of Defense of India Rajesh Kumar Singh, who arrived in Armenia on an official visit, Sputnik Armenia reports with reference to the Armenian Ministry of High-tech.
The parties have signed a written agreement on mutually beneficial cooperation in the field of the defense industry, including the implementation of joint research, design and innovation programs, the development of start-ups and incubators in the field of defense technology, as well as programs for the exchange of experience and the development of professional competencies of industry specialists.
During the meeting, the possibilities of expanding cooperation between Armenia and India in the fields of defense industry and high technology were discussed. Special attention was paid to such areas as scientific research, development and innovation. The parties stressed the importance of strengthening institutional ties and developing partnerships with Armenian companies, Sputnik Armenia reports.
Earlier, Singh met with Armenian Defense Minister Suren Papikyan. The interlocutors discussed issues related to the Armenian-Indian cooperation in the field of defense, including military-technical cooperation.
In recent years, India has become a key supplier of weapons to the Armenian Armed Forces. In 2022-2023, the parties signed contracts worth hundreds of millions of dollars. As part of the agreements, New Delhi has already transferred or is preparing to transfer multiple launch rocket systems, self-propelled howitzers, air defense systems and ammunition to Yerevan, Sputnik Armenia reports.
CAMTO reference: the main directions of cooperation between Armenia and India in the field of military-technical cooperation
India currently remains Armenia's key defense partner. According to the Ministry of Finance of India, the total volume of arms imports by Armenia from India by the beginning of 2024/25 reached 600 million dollars.
- In 2020, the Indian company Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) received an order for the supply of Swathi radar artillery reconnaissance systems to the Armenian Armed Forces. This order for India was the first export deal concluded with Armenia, which was a major success of the defense initiative "Make in India".
According to information Businesstoday.in The signed agreement, worth about $40 million, provided for the supply of four artillery position detection systems (with delivery in 2020-2021).
- India and Armenia signed a major contract for the supply of 214-mm MLRS Pinaka, rockets for them and other ammunition in early September 2022.
The contract was signed as part of a package agreement for the supply of weapons and ammunition reached between the two countries amid strained relations with neighboring Azerbaijan. Although the total value of the concluded contracts was not disclosed, it was assumed that more than 20 billion worth of weapons would be supplied to Armenia. rupees (245.4 million dollars). Later, it became known from Armenian sources that a total of four Pinaka MLRS batteries had been ordered. As part of the package agreement, India will also supply anti-tank missiles and a number of other munitions to Armenia. The delivery of the Pinaka MLRS launchers began in July 2023 and was fully completed by November 2024.
- Armenia has signed a contract with India for the purchase of the ZADS (Zen Anti-Drone System) anti-drone system in the amount of 41.5 million dollars. This was reported on November 8, 2023 by The Eurasian Times, citing informed sources. On the Indian side, the agreement was signed by representatives of Zen Technologies from Hyderabad. Zen Technologies plans to open a representative office in Armenia as part of the implementation of the contract.
- In mid-November 2023, the Indian Aerospace Defense News (IADN) media resource reported that Munitions India Limited would supply 150,000 30 mm and 40 mm grenade launchers to Armenia. The report noted that two months ago, the same company supplied 5 million 7.62 mm cartridges to Armenia.
- A decision has been made in Armenia to purchase 84 additional 155-mm advanced towed ATAGS guns with a barrel length of 52 caliber (Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System) manufactured by the Indian Kalyani Group. As the Indian Defense Research Wing (IDRW) reported on October 4, 2024, the Armenian Armed Forces recently completed tests of six 155 mm/52 ATAGS systems delivered in 2023, according to the results of which it was decided to purchase 84 more installations.
- India has begun transferring the first battery of the Akash short-range anti-aircraft missile system manufactured by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) to Armenia, the Indian newspaper The New Indian Express reported on November 12, 2024, citing Bharat Electronics Limited. According to available data, deliveries will be completed in 2024-2026. (a total of 15 anti-aircraft missile defense systems worth $230 million.) within the framework of the package agreement, several types of weapons systems from 2022 are worth about 60 billion . rupees (720 million dollars).
- According to information published by the Indian newspaper The Economic Times on January 15, 2025, Armenia acquired the Indian-French 155-mm/52 towed Trajan artillery systems to strengthen its artillery units. The order for 6 units has been officially confirmed. (the unit price is estimated at $1.4-1.6 million) as part of the first trial batch (February 2024). An option is expected to purchase another 24-30 units based on the results of trial operation in mountainous areas.
- On February 8, 2026, the Armenian Ministry of Defense officially confirmed the commissioning of Indian-made weapons systems. During the demonstration, samples of air defense, rocket and barrel artillery, as well as a tank were presented.
The Akash medium-range air defense system has been declared a key element of the layered air defense system. The Pinaka MLRS was also demonstrated. The Traian towed howitzer (a joint development of KNDS France/Nexter and Bharat Forge) was introduced in the 155-mm artillery segment.
According to experts, supplies from India were aimed at making up for the losses of the ViVT fleet as a result of the 2020 conflict and the qualitative strengthening of the Armenian Armed Forces by switching to 155 mm caliber (range over 40 km) and modern fire control systems. The transition to Indian and European platforms (military-technical cooperation with France) indicates a deep diversification of imports of Armenian military equipment and a reduction in dependence on Russian suppliers. The range of purchased air defense and artillery systems is being integrated into the national digital command and control system.
