Armenia Seeks Advanced Military Drones and More SAMs from India After Akash 1S Acquisition

Armenia is actively diversifying its military arsenal by pursuing additional advanced defence systems from India, including cutting-edge military drones and mid-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems.

Following the recent acquisition of the Akash 1S Surface-to-Air Defence System, Armenia is reportedly considering procuring either the Indo-Israeli Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MR-SAM) or the Akash-NG Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Defence System to further strengthen its aerial defenses.

While India has not yet commenced deliveries of the Akash 1S system to Armenia, these are anticipated to begin next year. The Akash 1S, renowned for its capability to engage aerial targets up to 30 km away, is poised to bolster Armenia's air defence network against various airborne threats.

In addition to the Akash 1S, Armenia has also expressed keen interest in both the MR-SAM and the Akash-NG. The MR-SAM, a product of Indo-Israeli collaboration, is currently in active production and boasts a proven operational history.

However, the Akash-NG, a sophisticated successor to the Akash missile, is still awaiting orders from the Indian Army and Air Force. This could potentially delay its availability for export by 2-3 years.

Once deliveries of the Akash 1S commence, Armenia intends to conduct comprehensive technical evaluations of both the MR-SAM and Akash-NG to ensure they align with the country's specific defence requirements.

Based on these evaluations, a final decision will be made regarding which system to acquire. Sources indicate that the MR-SAM currently holds an advantage due to its readily available production line and immediate procurement possibility.

 

[sanket]

Very Good news , more worry for Azerbaijan ,recent news was there Azerbaijan wanted Indian PM to visit Baku.Drones will b game changers.

 

[NSR]

Akash-IS and Akash-ING are wholly Indian missiles and it can freely export them to whomever it wants.

MR-SAM is a different kind of animal jointly developed (a joke indeed, 100% funding by India, no TOT for India, Israel manufactured and exported MR-SAM and LRSAM from a long time) and Israel may not give permissions to export.

Build Indian versions of MR-SAMs and LRSAMs and export them freely.

 

[MANIVANNAN N]

Good send it philipines even with loan support. Possible sell all to taiwan. China arming pak we arm taiwan without hesitation.

 

[Vijigishu ( विजिग्शु )]

Armenia should look for Indian pvt defence companies as well. Anti drone system (hard kill) of Zen tech. will be helpful to them. They couldn't counter azeri's drone attack last time.

 

[Sandeep]

India should continue to sell more of our weapons and technology to Armenia as we should establish strong economic ties in that region which will let us increase our exports to them. This policy should also be followed with most of the countries around the world. But one important difference is that we won’t transfer or give or sell any of the technology or weapons in any circumstance. We should also not sell them the latest weapons or technology that we use but instead use a weaker or inferior or do anything.

We also need to finish developing and installing the Akash NG which has a 70km long range and a new better missile that will benefit us by being more accurate at intercepting a threat.

 

[Kailash]

Very Good news , more worry for Azerbaijan ,recent news was there Azerbaijan wanted Indian PM to visit Baku.Drones will b game changers.

they could better afford the drones than Akash system too. Not a very affluent economy per se.

 

[Indian1]

Why does Armenia need weapons? It's ceding territory to azerbhaijan.

 

[neil]

Why does Armenia need weapons? It's ceding territory to azerbhaijan.

They probably want that territory back some day...

 

[PKPRS]

Very Good news , more worry for Azerbaijan ,recent news was there Azerbaijan wanted Indian PM to visit Baku.Drones will b game changers.

No worry at all for them, they might even get Iron dome from Israel, Israel supports them with full range of Weapons.

 

[Hita Techi]

Very Good news , more worry for Azerbaijan ,recent news was there Azerbaijan wanted Indian PM to visit Baku.Drones will b game changers.

Why would Azerbaijan be worried they have Barak-8 a more modern SAM with better military target engagement capabilities due to active radar seekers instead of command guidance like Akash and AESA radar instead of PESA. Also their SEAD/DEAD capabilities with drones and loitering munitions like Harpy/Harop and Orbiter from Israel and Kargu, Qirgi and quzgun from Turkey is formidable. They also have lots of AN2s converted with EW to draw SAMs as target drones, these forced Armenians to engage them and then the loitering munitions attack the radars and then Bayraktars come and finish the SAM battery.

 

[Indian1]

They probably want that territory back some day...

They will never get back that once ceded territory.

 

[neil]

They will never get back that once ceded territory.

I don't know about "never". That's a subjective term. That territory has already changed hands previously also, and probably same will/can happen in future also. And "never" is a pretty long time period into the indefinite future. Just like we in India talk about recovering POK and Aksai Chin. One day...