India has inked a remarkable export order for missiles, rockets, and ammunition to Armenia, which is confronted in a border dispute with neighbour Azerbaijan.The value of the contract is estimated to be around USD 250 Million (~Rs 2000 crores).
- As a result, India will export the indigenous Pinaka Multi-Barrel Rocket Launchers (MBRL) that are already in service with the Indian Army for the first time.
Background
- Under the government-to-government route, India signed a number of contracts in September 2022 for the supply of weaponry and ammunition to Armenia.
- Armenia has made orders for four Pinaka batteries (two to be delivered first and an equal additional order later).
Key Points:
i.The Pinaka was designed by the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and manufactured by private sector companies in India.
- The Private sector companies, including Larsen & Toubro, Tata Defence, and Economic Explosives Limited, have established production lines for the Pinaka system in collaboration with DRDO.
ii.India will also provide Armenia with anti-tank rockets and a variety of ammunition as part of the agreement.
iii.India has already supplied four Swathi radars to Armenia for an estimated cost of Rs. 350 crore in 2020. The radars have been deployed effectively on the borders of Pakistan and China.
India’s Efforts in Defence Export
i.By 2025, India aspires to export weapon systems worth Rs 35,000 crore abroad.
ii.Nearly Rs. 13,000 crore in defence exports were made in 2021, primarily due to the private sector.
iii.In 2020-21, India exported equipment worth USD 90 million, up from USD 23 million in 2014-15.
iv.In January 2022, India signed a USD 375 million agreement with the Philippines to supply Armenia’s Navy with the BrahMos cruise missile.
MOU in Culture and Renewable Energy signed at the India Armenia Conference in Bengaluru, Karnataka
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Culture was signed during the India-Armenia Conference 2022, which was organized by the Indian Economic Trade Organization (IETO) in collaboration with the India Eurasia Trade Council (IETC) in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
- The MoU was signed between Yateesh Venkatesh, Trade Commissioner of the Council for Armenia and the Bangalore International Arts Festival for the participation of Armenian cultural performers.
Motto of the conference: ‘Promoting Investment and Growth’
Dignitaries
Dr Asif Iqbal, President of the Indian Economic Trade Organization; Youri Babakhanian, Ambassador of Armenia; Yateesh Venkatesh, Trade Commissioner of the Council for Armenia and K D Dewal, IFS, Ambassador of India in Armenia.
Key Points:
i.Armenia is a nation with significant potential for bilateral trade prospects with India in the areas of tourism, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and industrial growth.
ii.During a recent visit to Armenia, the Indian delegation from the IETO signed an MoU with the Ministry of Culture in Armenia to establish the Film Academy and establish links between the Indian and Armenian film industries.
Recent Related News:
i.The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has approved the three Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) projects – Guided Extended Range Rocket Ammunition, AerialDenial Munition Type I and Infantry Combat Vehicle – Command for Pinaka rocket launchers
ii.These projects would enhance the firepower of the Indian Army. These 3 products were designed and developed by DRDO and the total value of these 3 proposals is Rs.8599 crore.
About Republic of Armenia:
President – Vahagn Khachaturyan
Capital – Yerevan
Currency – Armenian Dram (AMD)
