SOURCE: IDRW.ORG.
In an unexpected turn of events, Azerbaijan, through intermediaries in a Middle Eastern country, has discreetly approached India with queries about the potential sale of Indian-made weapons. This outreach comes after Azerbaijan’s Defence Ministry publicly criticized the quality of Indian arms sold to Armenia, alleging that these weapons have negligible impact on the military balance and that Azerbaijan could easily counter them, thereby questioning the reputation of India’s defense industry.
Azerbaijan’s remarks were in response to India’s military sales to Armenia, which included systems like the Pinaka Multi-Barrel Rocket Launchers (MBRLs) and other munitions, part of India’s push to expand its defense exports. The critique from Azerbaijan not only highlights the ongoing tensions in the South Caucasus but also underscores a shift in how regional powers perceive and react to each other’s military strategies.
Traditionally, Azerbaijan has leaned towards Turkey and Israel for its military hardware, with Turkey providing advanced drones and UAV technology and Israel supplying a variety of weapons systems. However, recent geopolitical developments, including Israel’s focus on operations in Gaza and a resultant reduction in arms exports, have prompted Azerbaijan to look elsewhere for military equipment.
India has been aggressively promoting its “Make in India” initiative, aiming to become a significant player in the global arms market. Its defense industry has developed capabilities in manufacturing artillery, missiles, and small arms, which are now being marketed globally.
Baku has not directly engaged with New Delhi, choosing instead to use a third-party country in the Middle East to gauge India’s interest. This method could be an attempt to keep the communication channels open while maintaining a diplomatic distance, considering the sensitive nature of military sales in the region.
Azerbaijan has shown particular interest in Indian-made artillery guns and shells, areas where India has developed expertise and where there might be a gap in Azerbaijan’s current arsenal. This interest comes despite the recent purchase of JF-17 Block III fighter jets from Pakistan, a deal primarily involving Chinese technology.
This overture could provide an opportunity to expand its defense export market, showcasing its products beyond traditional buyers and potentially mending or at least redefining its image in the region. It also aligns with India’s strategic interest in balancing regional power dynamics.
If India were to supply weapons to Azerbaijan, it would introduce a complex layer to the already intricate web of alliances and rivalries in the South Caucasus. It would require New Delhi to carefully navigate its relations with both Armenia and Azerbaijan, ensuring that its actions do not exacerbate conflicts.
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