Source : Over the years, Armenia has consolidated its position as a significant defence partner for India. This strategic partnership, defined by a steady rise in defence agreements, has solidified India's position as a key global supplier of arms.
Key Factors Driving the Interdependence:
- Geopolitical Aspect: Strategically located within the South Caucasus region, Armenia borders Turkey, Azerbaijan, Iran, and Georgia. These geographical locations make Armenia an important player in the general dynamics of this region.
- Shared Interests: India and Armenia share common interests, including the relief of regional competitors and the promotion of stability in their respective regions.
- Reliable Supplier: India's defence industry has worldwide acceptance for quality, cost-effectiveness, and reliability. Hence, India becomes a sought-after supplier for most the other countries and, in this context, for Armenia as well.
- Diversification of Suppliers: Armenia has searched for India as a viable alternative to decrease its reliance on conventional suppliers.
Major Defence Deals:
- The Akash Missile System: Armenia is the first international customer for India's indigenously developed Akash-1S domestic air defence missile system. The high technology system promises credible counter-measures against a wide spectrum of aerial threats from fighter jets and missiles to unmanned aerial vehicles.
- Pinaka Rocket System: The Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher, India's precision and potency, has also been supplied to Armenia. This system increases the artillery levels of Armenia greatly.
- More Military Equipment: Apart from the above systems, Armenia has also reportedly procured other military equipment from India, small arms, ammunition, and spares.
Implications for India:
- Improved global reputation: Its defence exports to Armenia have significantly enhanced India's global reputation as an important arms exporter.
- Technological Development: High-tech systems of weapons, including Akash and Pinaka, developed and circulated across the world have catapulted the Indian defence segment to great heights.
With Armenia, India has subsequently sealed several agreements, which have increased its economic outcome in terms of employment levels and revenues.
This has helped ensure India's geopolitical interests, regional stability, and promotion of the country's indigenously developing defence industry through the development of its defence cooperation with Armenia.
