Armenia is getting ready to make history by becoming the very first international buyer of India’s latest air defence system—the Akash NG (Next Generation) surface-to-air missile. It’s a major move for both countries: for Armenia, it’s about upgrading its military capabilities; for India, it’s a big step forward in its ambition to become a serious global arms exporter.

The Akash NG, developed by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), is a highly advanced, mobile air defence platform built to take down a wide range of modern aerial threats. For Armenia, this isn’t just about shiny new hardware—it’s about learning from the past, especially the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war, where gaps in its air defences were laid bare.

A Growing India-Armenia Defence Bond

This potential deal isn’t coming out of nowhere. India and Armenia have been deepening their defence relationship for a few years now. In 2022, Armenia signed a massive $720 million deal with India to purchase 15 Akash-1S missile batteries—making it the first country to buy India’s homegrown Akash system.

The first batch of those systems was delivered in November 2024, and the next set is expected sometime later this year. On top of that, Armenia has also picked up Indian-made 155mm artillery guns and Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launchers—making it one of India’s top three defence customers, right up there with the U.S. and France.

According to officials involved in the deals, Armenia has been happy with how the Akash-1S has performed during evaluations. That success has led them to look at what’s next—namely, the Akash-NG, which offers even more capability and modern features.

So, What’s New with the Akash NG Missiles?

Think of the Akash-NG as a serious upgrade over earlier versions. It’s built to handle faster, more agile, and higher-flying threats like advanced drones, cruise missiles, and modern fighter jets.

For starters, it has a range of 70 to 80 kilometres—almost three times that of the Akash-1S. That kind of coverage means it can protect a much larger area and respond to threats from farther away.

It’s also powered by a dual-pulse solid rocket motor, which makes it lighter and faster compared to older systems that used heavier ramjet engines. The system comes in a canisterised launcher, which is just a fancy way of saying it’s easier to store, move, and deploy—getting from transport to ready-to-fire mode in under 20 minutes.

In terms of radar and targeting tech, it’s impressive. The active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar can track multiple fast-moving targets, even in environments with electronic interference. It also uses a Ku-band radar seeker to zero in on targets during the final stage of flight—great for hitting stealthy or fast targets.

Oh, and it can fire three missiles in just 20 seconds. That kind of rapid-fire capability makes it perfect for protecting high-value assets in dangerous airspace.

Why Armenia Wants India’s Akash NG Air Defence System?

Let’s rewind to 2020 for a second. During the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Armenian forces were overwhelmed by Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2 drones, which exposed major gaps in their air defence systems. Since then, Armenia has made it a priority to upgrade and modernize.

While the Akash-1S already gives Armenia solid medium-range protection, the Akash-NG would take things to the next level—creating a more layered and capable defence system. It’s not just about better missiles—it’s about building real deterrence.

And then there’s the geopolitical angle. Armenia has historically depended on Russia for more than 90% of its arms imports (between 2011 and 2020). But that’s changing. Turning to India is part of a strategy to diversify defence suppliers and reduce dependency—especially in light of recent global events.

India, with its defence platforms being over 96% indigenously developed, offers a strong, reliable alternative—without some of the diplomatic baggage that comes with traditional suppliers.

India’s Big Defence Export Push

This deal isn’t just big news for Armenia. It’s a milestone for India too. India has been trying to shift from being one of the world’s biggest arms importers to becoming a serious exporter of high-end defence tech. The Akash-NG is part of that story.

The missile system is being built by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), with support from private industry under the Development cum Production Partner (DcPP) model. It’s a great example of India’s growing defence-industrial base in action.

Akash-NG has already completed several successful test trials, and production is expected to begin in 2026, once India’s own armed forces place their orders. Armenia is expected to be first in line once export approvals go through.

India has invested ₹470 crore (about $80 million) into developing this system. And it’s not just Armenia that’s interested—countries like Egypt and the Philippines are also keeping a close eye on the Akash programme.

What the Sale of Akash NG Missiles Mean for the Region?

Now, it’s worth noting that while missile defence systems like Akash are defensive, they do change the game in regional military dynamics. Armenia’s potential acquisition has already raised eyebrows in Azerbaijan and Turkey.

Retired Turkish Brigadier General Yücel Karauz recently said that while these systems aren’t offensive, their deployment sends “strong political signals,” especially during sensitive peace negotiations. Translation? These kinds of purchases can shift power balances and even fuel arms races.

For India, however, this deal represents a more responsible approach to arms exports—supplying defensive systems that help stabilize vulnerable regions rather than escalate tensions.

Also Read: India Revoked Turkish Firm Celebi Aviation’s License Citing Security Concern

What’s Next?

As India moves toward full-scale production of the Akash-NG, all signs point to Armenia staying closely involved. Given how well the Akash-1S has worked out so far, and Armenia’s urgent need for better air defence, a formal deal could be signed soon after production ramps up.

If it goes through, Armenia won’t just get a powerful new defence system—it’ll also signal a broader shift in where it buys its military hardware.

Final Thoughts

Armenia’s likely purchase of the Akash NG from India is more than just another arms deal. It reflects how both countries are recalibrating their strategic priorities. For Armenia, it’s about modernizing and diversifying. For India, it’s a major validation of its homegrown technology and its growing role on the global arms stage.

As this partnership continues to grow, it could open the door to even more deals, more cooperation, and new geopolitical alignments. And for India’s booming defence industry, that might just be the beginning.