YEREVAN — Armenia has emerged as the largest buyer of weapons from India in the current financial year, according to several news agencies citing governmental sources.
“The former Soviet Republic of Armenia has become the largest importer of weapons from India after concluding deals on the purchase of Pinaka multiple-launch rocket systems and Akash anti-aircraft systems,” the Indian Finance Ministry stated in a report cited by Russia’s TASS news agency on Tuesday.
Citing the Defense Ministry in New Delhi, the Indian Aerospace Defense News (IADN) publication reported 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 provided no further details of these deals.
India and Armenia have significantly deepened bilateral military cooperation since the 2020 war in Nagorno-Karabakh, during which India’s arch-foe Pakistan strongly supported Azerbaijan. Their multimillion-dollar defense contracts reportedly include the delivery of Pinaka systems, 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 the South Caucasus nation, it said.
In May this year, military officials from the two countries 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 the ministry.
Armenia has traditionally relied on Russia as its primary source of weapons and ammunition. However, amidst escalating tensions with Moscow and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which has strained Russian military resources, the Armenian government has actively sought alternative suppliers. Since last October, Yerevan has also finalized several arms agreements with French companies.
