SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
Armenia is deepening its defense ties with India as it prepares to receive the second batch of the Akash-1S air defense missile system after July 2025, following the successful delivery of the first battery in November 2024. This development is part of a $720 million deal signed in 2022 for 15 Akash systems, marking a significant step in Armenia’s efforts to modernize its air defense capabilities amid regional tensions. However, the South Caucasian nation is already looking ahead, expressing keen interest in the next-generation Akash-NG system, which is slated to enter production in 2026, according to sources cited by the Indian Defence Research Wing (idrw.org).
The Akash-1S, an advanced variant of the Akash missile system developed by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has already proven its worth for Armenia. Equipped with an indigenous seeker, the Akash-1S enhances hard-kill probability, offering greater precision in engaging aerial threats such as fighter jets, cruise missiles, and drones at ranges up to 30 kilometers. Each battery, manufactured by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), includes four launchers with three missiles each and a Rajendra 3D radar, providing robust protection against regional adversaries. Armenia’s acquisition of the system reflects its strategic pivot toward diversifying defense procurement, reducing reliance on traditional suppliers like Russia, which accounted for over 90% of its arms imports between 2011 and 2020.
The first Akash-1S battery delivered to Armenia has reportedly performed well in initial evaluations, with its seeker technology enabling effective target acquisition and interception. This success has bolstered Armenia’s confidence in Indian defense technology, prompting discussions about the Akash-NG, a more advanced successor to the Akash-1S. The Akash-NG, designed to counter evolving aerial threats, boasts a significantly extended range of 70–80 kilometers, a lighter dual-pulse solid rocket motor, and an active electronically scanned array (AESA) multi-function radar for improved reaction times and protection against saturation attacks. While the system is still awaiting orders from the Indian Army and Air Force, production is expected to commence in 2026, potentially delayed by 2–3 years due to ongoing user trials.
Armenian defense officials have been briefed on the Akash-NG’s capabilities, and the country has expressed strong interest in acquiring the system once it becomes available. This move aligns with Armenia’s broader strategy to enhance its air defense architecture, particularly in response to the growing threat of drones, as demonstrated during the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict where Azerbaijan extensively used Turkish Bayraktar TB2 drones. The Akash-1S has already provided Armenia with a credible deterrent, but the Akash-NG’s extended range and advanced features could further shift the regional balance, offering a layered defense against both manned and unmanned threats.
India’s export of the Akash-1S to Armenia, followed by potential future sales of the Akash-NG, underscores its growing stature as a global defense supplier. The Akash systems’ high indigenization rate—over 96%—and proven effectiveness have attracted interest from other nations, including Egypt and the Philippines. For Armenia, this partnership with India not only strengthens its military capabilities but also diversifies its geopolitical alliances, offering a counterbalance to the Turkey-Azerbaijan-Pakistan axis. As the second batch of Akash-1S systems arrives, and with the Akash-NG on the horizon, Armenia is poised to significantly enhance its aerial defense, signaling a new chapter in India-Armenia defense cooperation.
NOTE: Article cannot be reproduced without written permission of idrw.org in any form even for YouTube Videos to avoid Copy right strikes. Websites doing illegal reproductions will get DMCA and Legal Notices.