Armenia’s Discontent with Indian-Supplied Weapons

Armenia has received several military systems from India, aiming to strengthen its defensive capabilities. However, during recent conflicts, Armenia’s discontent with Indian-supplied weapons has become evident. This analysis will explore the specific types of weapons provided and assess their technical performance, revealing the issues that have contributed to Armenia’s dissatisfaction.

Overview of Indian Military Supplies to Armenia

India has been a significant supplier of military equipment to Armenia, focusing on various systems designed to enhance its defensive posture. The key categories of weapons supplied include:

1. Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)
2. Artillery Systems
3. Missile Systems
4. Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS)
5. Akash Missile System
6. Swati Radar System

1. Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)

Tactical UAVs, such as the Rustom, were intended to provide Armenia with advanced surveillance capabilities. However, Armenia’s discontent with Indian-supplied weapons stems from several technical flaws observed during their deployment.

Problems:

• Reliability Issues: The Rustom UAV faced significant malfunctions, particularly under adverse weather conditions. These failures limited its ability to provide real-time intelligence, crucial for battlefield awareness.
• Limited Payload Capacity: The UAV’s capacity to carry advanced surveillance equipment was inadequate. As a result, Armenia could not fully exploit its potential in reconnaissance missions.
• Short Operational Range: The operational range of the Rustom UAV did not meet Armenia’s strategic requirements, particularly during times of heightened conflict when extended surveillance was essential.

2. Artillery Systems

Armenia’s military arsenal includes several artillery systems, including:

• M-46 Field Guns: A legacy towed artillery system.
• Pinaka Multi-Barrel Rocket System: Designed for rapid, multiple-target engagement.
• Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS): A modern artillery system aimed at improving firepower.

Problems:

• M-46 Field Guns:
  • Ammunition Compatibility: The M-46 required specific ammunition types that Armenia struggled to procure. This challenge affected operational readiness significantly.
  • Mobility Constraints: The limited mobility of these guns made them vulnerable. In a fast-paced combat environment, their deployment was often hampered by logistical issues.
• Pinaka Multi-Barrel Rocket System:
  • Operational Efficiency: Reports indicated multiple failures during deployment, raising concerns about its accuracy in real combat scenarios. Ineffective strikes compromised the system’s overall credibility.
  • Logistical Challenges: The complexity of the Pinaka system required extensive logistical support. Armenia’s inability to provide this support resulted in unexploited firepower during critical moments.
• Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS):
  • Operational Challenges: The ATAGS, while advanced, exhibited issues with its electronics in combat. Such failures raised concerns regarding its reliability in high-stress situations.
  • Integration Issues: Difficulties in integrating the ATAGS with existing military infrastructure limited its effective deployment during vital operations.

3. Missile Systems

India supplied Armenia with crucial missile systems, including:

• Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGMs): Designed to engage and destroy armoured vehicles.
• Akash Missile System: A surface-to-air missile system aimed at providing air defence.

Problems:

• ATGMs:
  • Performance in Combat: The ATGMs demonstrated a high failure rate against modern armoured vehicles. Many missiles missed their targets due to guidance inaccuracies, undermining their intended purpose.
  • Lack of Modern Features: The supplied ATGMs lacked some advanced features found in competitor systems, limiting their operational effectiveness and appeal.
• Akash Missile System:
  • Engagement Limitations: Despite its intended capabilities, the Akash system struggled to engage fast-moving aerial threats effectively. Its performance against UAVs was particularly questionable, raising doubts about its air defence reliability.
  • Deployment Challenges: Deploying the Akash system required significant logistical support. Armenia’s failure to provide the necessary logistical support resulted in situations where the Akash system was not utilised during critical moments for air defence.

4. Swati Radar System

The Swati Radar, an indigenous 3D mobile radar system, was designed to enhance Armenia’s air surveillance and artillery targeting capabilities. However, its performance raised concerns, contributing to Armenia’s discontent with Indian-supplied weapons.

Problems:

• Detection Limitations: The Swati radar faced significant challenges in accurately detecting low-flying and fast-moving aerial threats. In many instances, it failed to track enemy UAVs effectively, which compromised Armenia’s situational awareness.
• System Malfunctions: During operational use, the Swati radar encountered several technical difficulties that affected its reliability. Such malfunctions led to lost tracking capabilities, complicating air defence operations further.
• Integration Difficulties: The integration of the Swati radar with existing military systems posed challenges. These integration issues often resulted in delays and inadequate battlefield coordination.

Conclusion

Armenia’s discontent with Indian-supplied weapons arises from several critical technical shortcomings. Reliability, operational efficiency, and performance issues have significantly undermined the intended advantages of these systems. The challenges faced by the Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS), Akash Missile System, and Swati Radar System exemplify the pressing need for improvement.

India must address these concerns in order to enhance the quality and reliability of its defence exports. Ensuring partner nations can depend on Indian-made military technology is vital, especially during critical operational periods. Continuous advances in design, quality control, and support mechanisms will be essential for India to solidify its position as a reliable defence supplier on the global stage.

This analysis offers a detailed examination of Armenia’s dissatisfaction with the weapons supplied by India, focusing specifically on technical aspects. Understanding these issues is vital for future collaborations and ensuring that military partners can rely on the efficacy of supplied systems in challenging scenarios.

References

1. K. Singh, “Challenges in Defence Exports: The Case of Armenia,” Journal of Military Technology, 2023.
2. R. Sharma, “Armenia’s Military Procurement: Lessons from Recent Conflicts,” Defence Studies Review, 2024.
3. “Indian Defence Exports: A Review”, Global Defence Insight, 2024.
4. Ministry of Defence, Government of India. “Defence Procurement Policy 2022,” 2022.