India's First "Akash-1S" Air Defense Systems to Arrive in Armenia by Year-End

Armenia will become India's first partner to acquire Indian-made air defense systems. The first "Akash-1S" surface-to-air missile systems are set to arrive in Armenia by the end of this year, according to Indian Defence Research Wing.

According to the media outlet, Armenia has ordered 15 of these air defense units at a cost of $720 million. This will make Armenia the first foreign buyer of these systems.

The report indicates that the "Akash-1S" systems utilize a combination of simultaneous active target search and guidance, providing reliable protection against airborne threats, including fighter jets, guided missiles, and drones.

India has upgraded the artillery systems supplied to Armenia. The "Akash-1S" was developed in 1983 and was inducted into service 30 years later. It is capable of intercepting aerial targets at a range of 4 to 25 kilometers.

It is worth noting that unofficial reports suggest that Armenia has also acquired "Pinaka" multi-barrel rocket systems, "Konkurs" anti-tank missile systems (produced in India under Russian licenses), as well as 80mm howitzers and other types of armaments from India.