Armenia is in the top 3 countries in buying weapons from India, you will be proud to know the names of the first 2 countries.
India is now becoming a major exporter of arms. Countries like the US, France, and Armenia are buying weapons made in India, including Akash missile systems and Pinaka rockets.
New Delhi. For a long time, India has been known as a big arms buyer. Now the situation is slowly changing. India is rapidly progressing as an arms-exporting country. If we talk about the top three countries buying defense-related goods from India, are America, France, and Armenia.
Armenia is a big buyer of weapons made in India. It has purchased many weapons including the Akash air defense system, Pinaka multi-launch rocket system, and 155mm cannon. According to a TOI report, in 2023-24, India exported defense-related goods worth Rs 21,083 crore to other countries. Among these, America, France, and Armenia are the top three importers.
India's government and private companies are now manufacturing a wide range of weapons and their components. These have been exported to about 100 countries. India is selling finished weapons like Brahmos supersonic cruise missiles, Dornier-228 aircraft, cannons, radars, Akash missiles, Pinaka rockets, and armored vehicles to friendly countries.
The US is the world's largest arms exporter. India mainly exports parts used in the manufacture of weapons to the US. Buyers include companies like Boeing and Lockheed Martin. They purchase aircraft and helicopter frames, wings, and other parts from India as part of their global supply chain network as well as offset commitments. For example, the Tata Boeing Aerospace Venture in Hyderabad is making frames and other parts for Apache attack helicopters. At the same time, France is importing a lot of software and electronic equipment from India.
Armenia was once part of the Soviet Union. In the last four years, it has purchased weapons like missiles, cannons, rockets, radars, bulletproof jackets, night vision devices, and shells from India. There has been a conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh. During this time, many weapons were purchased from India. Azerbaijan is close to Turkey and Pakistan.
Armenia is the first foreign customer for India's Akash air defense missiles. It has a range of 25 kilometers. Other countries like Brazil are also keen to co-produce and co-develop advanced versions of the system.
The BrahMos missile, jointly developed by India and Russia, is also in great demand. In January 2022, India signed a $375 million contract to export three BrahMos anti-ship missile batteries from the Philippines. Other ASEAN countries and some Gulf countries are also showing interest in purchasing this missile.
