In a significant move to enhance bilateral defense cooperation, India has commenced deliveries of its indigenous Akash Missile System to Armenia. The first battery of the advanced surface-to-air system—comprising four launchers and a Rajendra radar—was successfully shipped in November 2024 by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), with a second battery set for delivery by mid-2025. Armenia is expected to receive a total of 15 Akash systems over the next four to five years.
Developed by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the Akash Missile System is engineered to counter a range of aerial threats including fighter aircraft, drones, and cruise missiles. The system has a range of 25 kilometers and boasts a success rate exceeding 90%. Equipped with Electronic Counter-Counter Measures (ECCM), it offers reliable performance even in contested airspace. Significantly, over 96% of the system’s components are produced domestically, reinforcing India’s “Make for the World” policy under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
This export forms part of a ₹6,000 crore (approximately $750 million) deal inked in 2022 with Bharat Dynamics Limited, which also includes the supply of 15 Ashwin Air Defence Systems. These agreements are tied to a broader $2 billion arms deal signed in 2020, under which Armenia is also receiving the Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher system with a range of up to 70 kilometers. The Akash system version exported to Armenia is tailored to meet specific operational needs, showcasing India’s capacity for customized defense solutions.
The Akash has served as a cornerstone of India’s air defense since its induction into the Indian Air Force in 2014. It has progressively replaced older foreign systems, including Israel’s Spyder, at critical forward airbases such as Leh. The Indian Army currently operates two regiments of the Akash Mk1 variant and has placed orders for two regiments of the enhanced Akash Prime.
Analysts view India’s defense export to Armenia as a strategic win for both nations. The deployment of the Akash system will significantly bolster Armenia’s ability to defend against aerial threats, particularly in the volatile South Caucasus region. “The Akash missile stands out as one of the most effective systems produced by India, with a remarkable success rate that few air defense systems can match,” noted defense expert Augustine Vinod.
India’s growing profile as a defense exporter is further evidenced by the Akash system being offered to other nations, including the Philippines and the United Arab Emirates. Talks with the UAE hold strategic weight, particularly given the country’s security challenges from Houthi missile threats. The Philippines, meanwhile, is evaluating the Akash system for its Shore-Based Air Defense Missile System Acquisition Project, aligning with India’s push for greater Indo-Pacific defense engagement.
Deliveries to Armenia are supported by a full logistical suite, including Missile Transportation Vehicles, Transportation and Loading Vehicles, and Power Supply Vehicles, ensuring operational readiness and mobility.
India’s successful delivery of the Akash missile system to Armenia not only strengthens a critical strategic partnership but also signals the rising stature of India’s indigenous defense industry in the global arena.
