Armenia has now emerged as India’s largest arms importer, driving India’s defense exports to record levels in the financial year 2023-24. Recent data shows that India’s defense exports reached an unprecedented Rs 21,083 crore ($2.63 billion), marking a 32.5% increase over the previous year. According to a Finance Ministry report, Armenia’s significant arms purchases included India’s Pinaka multiple-launch rocket systems and the Akash anti-aircraft systems, bringing the nation’s total defense imports from India to nearly $600 million by early 2024-25.
Historically, Armenia has heavily relied on Russia, which supplied 94% of its arms between 2011 and 2020, including high-tech systems like Iskander missiles, Su-30SM fighters, and other advanced weaponry. However, Russia’s lack of assistance during Armenia’s 2020 conflict with Azerbaijan strained their relationship, prompting Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to seek other defense partners. This shift led Armenia to India, initiating a defense partnership that began in 2020 with a $2 billion agreement and has strengthened significantly since.
Among the key acquisitions, Armenia has procured the Pinaka Multi-Launch Rocket System, known for precision and long range, enhancing its capabilities in contested areas like Nagorno-Karabakh. Additionally, Armenia has ordered 15 units of India’s Akash-1S Air Defence Missile System, a $720 million contract marking the first foreign sale of the system, to be delivered this year. Armenia has also acquired Dornier-228 surveillance aircraft, along with anti-tank guided rockets, bulletproof vests, night-vision goggles, artillery, and other critical arms.
This partnership extends beyond economics, serving as part of India’s broader geopolitical strategy to counterbalance the growing influence of Pakistan and Turkey, both allies of Azerbaijan. With Pakistan’s vocal support for Azerbaijan during the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war, India’s alignment with Armenia aims to offset this alliance. India has further strengthened ties with Armenia through strategic trilateral dialogues involving Iran and collaborative efforts with France, reinforcing its influence in the South Caucasus.