India ships first batch of Akash Weapon system to Armenia

In a significant milestone for the indigenous Indian defence sector, the first batch of the indigenously developed surface-to-air missile system Akash, was shipped to Armenia. The indigenously developed and manufactured Akash system is part of a deal under which India is to supply 15 Akash systems to Armenia.

This is the second missile system to be exported from India after India sold the supersonic Brahmos cruise missile to the Philippines.

The export of the sophisticated missile system underlines the interest of foreign buyers in the defence weapon system developed in India. 

With a record defence export of Rs 21,083 crore in 2023-24, the government has set a defence export target of Rs 35,000 crore for 2024-25.

The United States of America has emerged as the largest buyer of the Indian weapon system, followed by France.

Defence production reaches  a record  Rs 1.26 lakh crore in 23-24

Akash Missile System and Pinaka for Armenia 

Armenia is engaged in a bitter war with its neighbour Azerbaijan on the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region. After suffering major losses to the well-equipped Azerbaijan forces, the Armenian government has turned to India to bolster its defence. Russia has traditionally been a major supplier of weapons to Armenia, but it has been unable to meet Armenia's defence needs.

In December 2020, the Union Cabinet approved selling the 15 Akash Missile system to Armenia, worth around Rs 6000 crore and the contract was signed in 2022. 

The first delivery was done in 2024. 

Recently, French Army Brigadier General Stephane Richou expressed interest in the Pinaka System already bought by Armenia.

About the Akash Missile System 

The Akash is a surface-to-air missile system developed by the premier Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and manufactured by Hyderabad-based Bharat Dynamics Limited.

Each Akash Missile system consists of four launchers. Each launcher carries three missiles. Each Akash system is equipped with an indigenously developed single Rajendra 3D passive electronically scanned array radar.

The missile has a range of 25 km and can engage hostile aircraft, drones, missiles and other aerial assets.

The Indian Air Force inducted the Akash missile system in 2014, and the Indian Army in 2015

The Akash missile system being exported to Armenia differs from that used by the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force.

Pinaka Multi Barrel Rocket Launcher 

The multi-barrel rocket launcher system Pinaka has been developed by the DRDO for the Indian Army.

Pinaka is a long-range artillery system in which multiple rockets are fired simultaneously from a single platform. Pinaka has a range of 75 km. Each Pinaka can fire 12 rockets in  44 seconds.

The Pinaka system is suited for attacking adversary targets before close-quarter battles involving smaller-range artillery, armoured elements, and infantry.

About Armenia 

Armenia is located in the Mountainous Transcaucasian region. Geographically, it lies in Asia but has close cultural ties with Europe.

Armenia, part of the erstwhile Soviet Union, became Independent in 1991 after the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

Nagorno Karabakh is a small enclave in Azerbaijan which is populated by ethnic Armenians and has been a source of tension and war between the two.

Capital: Yerevan

Currency: Dram

Prime Minister: Nikol Pashniyan