The Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict underscored the impact of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) on the modern battlefield, with Turkey's Bayraktar TB2 drone playing a decisive role. Armenia's difficulties in defending against these drones have fueled a search for air defense solutions designed to counter this specific threat. India's Akash Air Defense System could offer Armenia the edge it needs.
The TB2 drone's success as a tactical weapon was evident during the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh War. Armenia faced significant difficulties in combating its targeted strikes and surveillance capabilities.
Designed by India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the Akash system could be the key to neutralizing TB2s. Unlike some long-range systems, the Akash excels at engaging targets within a 200-meter to 20-kilometer range. This is ideal for countering drones like the TB2, which often operate at lower altitudes.
The Akash system is built to combat diverse aerial threats, including UAVs. Its sophisticated radar allows for detecting and tracking small, slow-moving drones. Furthermore, its ability to engage multiple targets simultaneously proves valuable against potential drone swarms, a growing trend in modern warfare.
While successful initially, the TB2 drone has reportedly experienced setbacks in the Ukraine war. Ukrainian forces have developed counter-drone measures and adapted existing air defense systems, leading to the destruction of over 100 TB2s. This demonstrates the drone's susceptibility to capable air defense measures.
The Akash system seems promising against TB2s, yet there are factors to consider. Successful integration of the Akash system into Armenia's current defense structure may initially be complex. Additionally, a layered air defense network, with systems like Akash working alongside others specialized for different ranges, would further increase its effectiveness.
The Akash 1S Air Defence system, soon to be delivered to Armenia by India, features an integrated seeker for target destruction, outperforming the older proximity fuses. This new system offers a significant upgrade to Armenia's aging air defenses, which largely rely on outdated Soviet-era systems like the 2K11 Krug, 9K33 Osa, 2K12 Kub, and 9K35 Strela-10.
