Armenia, US and France make Indian defense products’ major importers

Armenia, the U.S. and France ranked as the top three destinations for defense exports by India, The Times of India writes, referring to its sources.

As reported, Indian public and private sector companies are now exporting a wide range of arms, ammunition and fuses to around 100 countries. Last year, the sales amounted to $2.6 billion.

The exports to the US, however, mainly consist of sub-systems and components, which include global defense majors like Boeing and Lockheed Martin sourcing fuselage, wings, and other parts of aircraft and helicopters from India as part of their global supply chain networks as well as offset commitments. “France, in turn, is importing a lot of software and electronic equipment,” a source said.

Armenia, as noted, has inked a flurry of deals with India over the last four years for import of ‘finished products’ like missiles, artillery guns, rocket systems, weapon-locating radars, bullet-proof vests, and night-vision equipment as well as a wide variety of ammunition and artillery shells. Armenia has become the first foreign customer for the indigenously-developed Akash air defense missiles.

Brazil is even keen on co-production and co-development of advanced versions of the Akash system.