Indian Council of World Affairs

Abstract: Since 2020, India has emerged as Armenia's largest defence partner. Recent high-level military delegation visits by both countries highlight a rapidly growing partnership between the two countries, in which defence cooperation remains a key pillar amid the evolving geopolitical dynamics of South Caucasus. India has delivered Radar systems, Artillery guns, Drones and AntiDrone systems, and Air Defence systems which reflect a high level of trust in the relations. 

Introduction

India-Armenia active diplomatic relations were established in 1992 post-Soviet Union’s disintegration,ⁱ athough the two countries have shared historic trade connections and cultural exchanges. Since then, the relationship has witnessed steady growth with defence partnership emerging as the the cornerstone of the partnership.

India-Armenia relations have continued to strenghten despite uncertainties in the South Caucasus region arising from regional rivalries, historical conflicts and great power competition. As a landlocked country Armenia is situated between Azerbaijan, Türkiye, Georgia and Iran. However, relations with its neighbors have been uneven over the past decades. Baku and Ankara share a close relation with each other but both have no diplomatic relations with Yerevan. On the other hand, Tbilisi and Tehran have good relations with Yerevan.

 Russia remains a key actor in the South Caucaus region. It shares strategic partnership with Armenia. Yerevan has traditonally relied heavily on Moscow for its defence and energy requirements. Nonetheless, the Armenian government seeks to reduce its dependencies on Russia pertaining to defence and foreign policy. The recent diversification in the defence has found new impetus due to delayed Russian weapon supplies amid the prolonged Russia-Ukraine conflict.  Armenia has also pursued a policy of multi-alignment to diversify its external partnerships and better safeguard its national interest.

India’s Rising Defence Exports

India’s defence exports have seen tangential growth since last decade. In 2025-26, India exported around US $4.6 billion (Rs38,424 crore)[i] worth of defence equipment and parts, which reported for 62.66 per cent rise from the last financial year 2024-25. Today, India exports defence hardware to about 80 countries,[ii] with Armenia emerging one of the India’s largest defence export destinations. Yerevan, in the last five years, has positioned itself as New Delhi’s largest defence partner and a location for its ready to use military hardware.

India-Armenia defence partnership gained momentum in 2020, when Armenia placed an order worth US $40 million to purchase Swathi weapon locating radar capable of predicting the incoming projectiles like the mortar, artillery and rockets to pinpoint the enemy’s gun and rocket launch position for immediate retaliation. The delivery for this order was completed in 2022, Since then Armenia is estimated to have signed deals worth around US $2.2 billion in last 6 years, which comprise of Bharat forge’s (ATAGS) towed artillery gun system(US $155 million) made in tandem with DRDO and Tata advance systems,  Multi Terrain Artillery Gun MARG 155mm self-propelled howitzer by Kalyani systems, ALS 51 drones, Zen anti-drone system and Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher system.[iii] Breakthrough was achieved when Armenia placed an order worth US $700 million for  indigenously AKASH air defence system in 2022 and became the first foreign buyer for Indian system.[iv] 

India has emerged as a reliable defence partner for Armenia and frequent engagements between the two sides reflect deepening of defence diplomacy and strategic realignment further strengthening bilateral relations. In February 2026 a military delegation led by Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan visited Armenia, where he met President Nikol Pashinyan and Defence Minister Suren Papikyan. During the visit the CDS inaugurated defence research facilities and discussed joint training of the troops with Armenia’s Chief of Staff Lt.Gen Edvard Asryan [v] In May 2026 Armenia’s Chief of the Staff visited India with a high level defence delegation. The discussions focused on joint development of military hardware, joint training exercises and collaboration in domains like air power with the objective of enhancing operational cooperation and interoperability[vi] [vii]. These developments represent an important step towards elevating the bilateral relationship from mere defence cooperation to a broader strategic partnership. It also reinforces the fact that the Indian military hardware is an amalgamation of the state-of-the-art technology with niche systems, which are battle tested and technologically reliable, providing a cost-effective option for partner nations. Secondly, India can also provide support to Armenia for its integration of new weaponry with legacy Soviet era systems.  India specializes in this sphere and is willing to share its expertise with the partners.

Beyond Defence 

Defence diplomacy and defence exports remain the primary sector pillars of India-Armenia relations. However, there is considerable scope for expanding cooperation into other spheres as well.  The conflict in West Asia and Ukraine have placed significant pressures on global supply chains. Trade disruptions have adversely affected the global economy while energy security has emerged as critical concern in the current geopolitical environment. Amidst this the, India-Armenia relationship offers opportunities to develop alternate trade corridors and to enhance access to Europe and Central Asia through the Caspian Sea.  India has been a major proponent of (INSTC) International North-South corridor which has the potential to strenghten India’s energy requirements while promoting trade and prosperity for Armenia and the wider region. It could also facilitate greater trade with Global South and open new economic opportunities for South Caucasus. Trade diversification across domains like rare earth elements, pharmaceuticals, Agri-Tech, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), jewelry and gemstones could generate significant benefit for both the countries. The resumption of direct flights between India and Armenia would help mobility. It would also benefit the Indian diaspora in Armenia, to promote greater people to people exchanges and further assist in inter-cultural understanding. 

Conclusion And the Way Forward

While defence partnership remains the cornerstone in India-Armenia relations nonetheless, long-term investment in R&D, defence manufacturing and joint technology development will further strengthen the relationship and make it future ready. Emerging technologies such as Artificial intelligence, machine learning and quantum offer significant opportunities for deep bilateral collaboration. A key next step in strengthening India-Armenia relations could be the establishment of a formal 2+2 dialogue mechanism, convening the Defence and Foreign Ministers of both nations. Such a mechanism would institutionalize security cooperation and elevate the relationship from defence collaboration to a broader comprehensive partnership, thereby enhancing coordination across the security, diplomatic and economic domains.

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*Vikas Rana is a Research Intern at the Indian Council of World Affairs.
Disclaimer: Views expressed are personal.

Endnotes

[i] Defence exports skyrocket to record Rs 38,424 crore in Financial Year 2025-26, a massive 62.66% increase over previous fiscal

https://www.pib.gov.in/newsite/pmreleases.aspx?mincode=33®=48&lang=2

[ii]The Defence Decade: Enhanced Capability, Greater Capacity, and Stronger Credibility  https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2273854®=3&lang=1

[iii] Weapon Locating Radar (WLR)

https://bel-india.in/product/weapon-locating-radar-wlr/

[iv] India ships first Akash air defence missile system battery to Armenia

 https://www.newindianexpress.com/india/2024/Nov/12/india-ships-first-akash-air-defence-missilesystem-battery-to-armenia

[v] With Top General’s Visit to Yerevan, India Wants to Bolster Defense Ties with Armenia  https://asbarez.com/with-top-generals-visit-to-yerevan-india-wants-to-bolster-defense-ties-witharmenia/

[vi] Armenia’s Top General Visits New Delhi to Deepen Defence Ties with India

 https://www.rnamedia.in/demo/armenias-top-general-visits-new-delhi-to-deepen-defence-ties-withindia/15899

[vii] Armenia’s Top General Visits New Delhi to Deepen Defence Ties with India

 https://www.rnamedia.in/international/armenia-turns-to-india-for-defence-systems-places-2-billionorder-since-2020/16568