Alleged Malfunctions of Indian Arms in Armenia: Performance Concerns or Propaganda?

A recent report by Azerbaijani news outlet Caliber.Az raises questions about the effectiveness of Indian-supplied weaponry to Armenia. The report cites critical comments from former Armenian Defence Minister Arshak Karapetyan, raising the possibility of performance issues with Indian weapons.

However, the veracity of these claims and the motivations behind the report require careful scrutiny.

Understanding the Allegations​

Karapetyan, who served briefly as Armenia's Defense Minister in 2021, allegedly stated that some Indian-origin weapons have malfunctioned for the past year.

However, the report lacks specifics on the exact weapon systems in question. This lack of clarity introduces uncertainty and makes it difficult to independently verify the assertions.

Source Credibility and Motives​

Two crucial factors complicate the situation:

• Limited Tenure: Karapetyan's short tenure as Defense Minister raises questions about his potential level of in-depth knowledge regarding complex weapon systems.
• Source Considerations: Caliber.Az is an Azerbaijani outlet. Azerbaijan and Armenia are locked in a longstanding conflict, marked by recent renewed tensions. President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan has previously criticized nations like India and France for supplying arms to Armenia. This context suggests that the Caliber.Az report may be driven by propaganda efforts rather than strictly objective reporting.

India-Armenia Defense Partnership​

India and Armenia have cultivated a growing defense partnership. Key items within this relationship include:

• Swathi Weapon Locating Radars (WLR): Armenia received four units in 2020.
• Akash Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM): Armenia has placed an order, but deliveries are yet to commence.
• ATAGS Artillery Guns: Six units delivered, with more planned for later in 2024.
• MarG 155x39 Howitzer Guns: Deliveries began in 2023.

Analysis and Open Questions​

The situation prompts some critical questions:

• Performance vs. Isolated Issues: Could Karapetyan's remarks indicate isolated incidents rather than a systemic problem with Indian weaponry? Complex military equipment can experience occasional issues even in the best circumstances.
• Geopolitical Motivations: To what extent does Azerbaijan's conflict with Armenia drive the reporting of alleged weapon malfunctions? Is the goal to discredit Armenia's defense capabilities and its defense partners?
• Need for Independent Verification: Without specific details about the weapon systems and corroborating evidence, it remains impossible to independently evaluate the claims and determine their legitimacy.

Conclusion​

The Caliber.Az report and Karapetyan's comments create a murky picture. The motivations of both the source and the former official are colored by the ongoing Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict.

In the absence of further evidence and independent analysis, determining whether the allegations point to legitimate concerns or propaganda-driven narratives remains a challenge.

 

[Frank]

INFORMATION WARFARE...

 

[Bharat007]

There were reports before that Swathi Weapon locating radars didn't perform well in Armenia-Azeri conflict. Regardless of the credibility of this news, it is imperative for us to:

• Meet the customers satisfaction so as to improve image of Made in India weapons.
• Consider any kind of feedbacks be it positive or negative as necessary ingredient to improve further.

Indian Weapon manufacturing sector has not matured yet. So, such issues will exist!

 

[Anant]

Regardless of whether or not this is propaganda, if the performance of one of our exported weapon systems has been below expectation, it is imperative for relevant stakeholders to meet with the Armenians, understand what the issue was, rectify it for them free of charge if it was an issue on our end, and ensure the same issue does not show up in the other weapon systems in our inventory.

We are relatively new to the arms export game, and while teething troubles are expected, we have to be very proactive in giving proper service to any and all customers.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

all weapon systems have some failure rates. But this is just blatant propaganda by azerbaijan. If armenia was unhappy with our weapons then they would not have come back to buy more. It would be too easy for them to pay off an unemployed former armenian defence minister to make these statements. They tried to pull this stunt with swathi radars as well, but armenians clarified that those radars were not used in the war.

 

[Ramsses CDXX]

Armenian will say the same when Pinaka MLRS drops on Azerbaijani soldiers: "What a scrap wretched life"

 

[Sivasankar]

Looks like, they (azzu) felt the heat after Akash AD deal signed.

 

[CCPSmasher]

This is expected cosidering the competence of our MICs and depth of our product porfolios. However, having said that we can work closely with our cleints like Armenia and solve any hiccups that may come on our way. Every major defense manufacturer had face the same issues like such in their early stage of market expansion.

 

[Indian1ST.]

There were reports before that Swathi Weapon locating radars didn't perform well in Armenia-Azeri conflict. Regardless of the credibility of this news, it is imperative for us to:

• Meet the customers satisfaction so as to improve image of Made in India weapons.
• Consider any kind of feedbacks be it positive or negative as necessary ingredient to improve further.

Indian Weapon manufacturing sector has not matured yet. So, such issues will exist!

If there are issues the Indian Army would have taken steps to address them. Afterall India army is the biggest user.

 

[Indian1ST.]

Regardless of whether or not this is propaganda, if the performance of one of our exported weapon systems has been below expectation, it is imperative for relevant stakeholders to meet with the Armenians, understand what the issue was, rectify it for them free of charge if it was an issue on our end, and ensure the same issue does not show up in the other weapon systems in our inventory.

We are relatively new to the arms export game, and while teething troubles are expected, we have to be very proactive in giving proper service to any and all customers.

You assume steps have not been taken and as if this is genuine concern

 

[Arden H]

That ex minister was sacked by current Armenian pm back in 2021 for giving incorrect information. He is known political opponent of Armenian pm and a Russian puppet. He is also said Armenia should not buy western weapon.just do some google search ffs.
Btw afaik pinaka, marg, atags was 1st delivered back in jul 2023(as per azeri source)so how can those weapons remain out of service for a year if they were delivered less than 7months ago.

Former Defense Chief Vows To Fight For Pashinian’s Ouster

Arshak Karapetian, a former Armenian defense minister and national security aide to Nikol Pashinian, has blamed him for the fall of Nagorno-Karabakh and pledged to fight for his removal from power.

www.azatutyun.am

 

[Mrityunjay Shrivastav]

There were reports before that Swathi Weapon locating radars didn't perform well in Armenia-Azeri conflict. Regardless of the credibility of this news, it is imperative for us to:

• Meet the customers satisfaction so as to improve image of Made in India weapons.
• Consider any kind of feedbacks be it positive or negative as necessary ingredient to improve further.

Indian Weapon manufacturing sector has not matured yet. So, such issues will exist!

That report was pakistani PR, it was released when Swati wasnt even delivered and no source were cited although I agree on rest or points you made, we should avoid what we did in Ecuador dhruv deal.

 

[Arden H]

There were reports before that Swathi Weapon locating radars didn't perform well in Armenia-Azeri conflict. Regardless of the credibility of this news, it is imperative for us to:

• Meet the customers satisfaction so as to improve image of Made in India weapons.
• Consider any kind of feedbacks be it positive or negative as necessary ingredient to improve further.

Indian Weapon manufacturing sector has not matured yet. So, such issues will exist!

Afaik That swathi order was placed 5-6 months before arme-azer war so how can Armenia use swathi during that war. Unless you belive BEL can deliver them within 6 months (highly unlikely) .
Order was placed in mar 2020 war started sep 2020- ended nov 2020

 

[kumar]

Hit job by Wahabi lobby. Let's ignore it.

 

[Sudha]

You assume steps have not been taken and as if this is genuine concern

The news is just being published, so how can he assume like that? He has given a good suggestion how to be a trusted defence player.

 

[Sudha]

There were reports before that Swathi Weapon locating radars didn't perform well in Armenia-Azeri conflict. Regardless of the credibility of this news, it is imperative for us to:

• Meet the customers satisfaction so as to improve image of Made in India weapons.
• Consider any kind of feedbacks be it positive or negative as necessary ingredient to improve further.

Indian Weapon manufacturing sector has not matured yet. So, such issues will exist!

Armenia has already clarified regarding the swathi weapon locating radars (as per the article) that it hasn't been used.

 

[Sudha]

INFORMATION WARFARE...

Correct for once. 😄

 

[Varaaah]

India has no military observer and advisor there?

 

[Anant]

You assume steps have not been taken and as if this is genuine concern

No, I am not assuming anything. I know steps must have been taken, but I am highlighting that they do need to be taken.

Now, regardless of whether or not this is propaganda, this can be spun off by detractors of India in other nations to peddle the false narrative that we don't export good weapons and/or provide after-sales service. We need to combat those lobbies as well.

 

[sunilanalysis]

azeris are always crying on india and france for supplying weapons to armenia...
hopefully azeris will not have cake walk as they had in the past when armenia used russian duds...