To counter the growing threat from Azerbaijan, Armenia is building strong defense ties with India, which is supported by both Pakistan and Turkey. A high-ranking delegation of the Armenian Army visited the School of Artillery in Nashik district of Maharashtra. The three-member delegation was briefed about the training facilities and methodology adopted at the School of Artillery. The visiting delegation also witnessed a live artillery firing practice.Late last month, during a visit to Delhi, Armenia’s First Deputy Defense Minister and Chief of the General Staff Lieutenant General Edward Asarian held high-level talks with Chief of Defense Staff General Anil Chauhan, Army Chief of Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh and Defense Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh.In February 2026, India’s Chief of Defense Staff General Anil Chauhan visited Yerevan to deepen bilateral cooperation, inaugurate defense research facilities and emphasize joint training in modern warfare. The visit underlined India’s emergence as Armenia’s most trusted arms supplier at a time when Moscow, traditionally Armenia’s primary source of military equipment, has reduced deliveries as it focuses on the war in Ukraine.Azerbaijan, with the support of both Pakistan and Turkey, launched two conflicts against Armenia in 2020 and 2023. Islamabad has signed a deal with Baku for 40 JF-17 Block III aircraft, the largest ever export order for these fighters. Other operators of the JF-17, including Myanmar and Nigeria, use the aircraft in much smaller numbers. During these conflicts, the Azerbaijani military deployed Turkish-origin systems against Armenian forces. This prompted Yerevan to seek more reliable air defense capabilities, ultimately leading the Caucasian country to purchase India’s Akash surface-to-air missile system.Since 2020, Armenia has signed defense contracts worth about $2 billion with India, including deals for Swati weapon-detection radar, Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher (MBRL) and advanced anti-drone systems. In 2022, Yerevan became the first foreign buyer of India’s Akash missile system in a $720 million deal, significantly enhancing its air defense capabilities.Delivery of the Akash system begins in 2024, increasing Armenia’s ability to counter UAV and missile threats. Armenia has increasingly turned to India for advanced weapons systems, military training and potential joint production initiatives, making New Delhi a key player in the strategic balance in the South Caucasus.