Armenia reportedly considering purchase of Indian Akash missile systems

PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenia is eyeing more defence deals with India including possible procurement of drones and loitering munitions, besides mid-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) system like the Akash, The Print reports.

Deeper defence cooperation was the focus of the bilateral meeting between Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Armenian counterpart Suren Papikyan held in India on the sidelines of DefExpo 2022 in Gandhinagar Tuesday.

The meeting comes just weeks after the two countries reportedly entered into a government-to-government contract for the sale of indigenous Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launchers, Konkurs anti-tank guides missile and a wide variety of ammunition including 80-mm mortars.

Sources in the government remained tight-lipped about what transpired during the bilateral meeting with the Armenian minister but maintained that “defence cooperation was the focus”.

The Centre has been wary of speaking on the defence cooperation with Armenia because of the ongoing tensions with Azerbaijan, a country that Turkey and Pakistan support.

However, sources have said that Armenia has been considering the possible procurement of the indigenous Akash air defence systems.

It is also looking at arming itself with loitering munitions developed in India by private companies like Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) and Solar Industries.

Armenia earlier bought four indigenous Swathi weapons locating radars in 2020 from India which was delivered in the backdrop of its conflict with Azerbaijan. The sale of Pinaka rockets was the first international order for the indigenous system and will also be the first for Akash missile system if contracted for.