Arms supplier India considers Armenia strategic ally

Armenia is increasingly turning to India for military support, making significant purchases of Indian-made weapon systems. 

That includes the Akash-1S air defense system, as part of a $2 billion defense partnership signed in 2020, The Jamestown Foundation writes.  

Armenia’s pivot toward India marks a shift away from its traditional reliance on Russian military supplies, in part driven by tensions over Russia’s involvement in Ukraine and allegedly delayed arms deliveries to Armenia. India’s deepening ties with Armenia provide it with a strategic foothold in the South Caucasus.

In the rapidly changing geopolitical realities of the region, Indian leaders value Armenia as a strategic ally. New Delhi sees Yerevan as a potential part of future transit routes to EU countries. The growing defense cooperation between India and Armenia underscores the shifting geopolitical dynamics in the region, with both nations seeking to expand their strategic influence.

For Armenia,  partnering with India offers not only advanced military capabilities but also a new diplomatic and economic pathway toward greater independence and regional security. For India, these ties provide a foothold in the South Caucasus, offering potential access to strategic transit corridors and enhancing its presence in a region where rivals like Pakistan and Turkey are already active.