India may send more weapons to Armenia
India is mulling over supplying a fresh batch of military equipment to Armenia, its strategic ally in Caucasus, after the successful delivery of the first batch of weapons over the past year, The Economic Times reports.
A senior Armenian official visited Delhi recently and held discussions in this regard, said people with knowledge of the matter. India has emerged as a credible weapons supplier as per Armenia's requirements, they said.
Details of fresh supplies are not known yet but the consignment could include equipment that would help to create a deterrence amid the conflict-like situation with Azerbaijan, according to observers in Armenia, who did not wish to be identified.
The last consignment sent by India to Armenia included Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launchers, anti-tank missiles, rockets and ammunition. The supply of weapons was reportedly made through Iran, which shares historical ties with Armenia. Azerbaijan had launched a protest following the supplies.
New weapons brought to Armenia are currently being tested by the Armenian military and the results are "very satisfactory", the chairman of Armenia's parliamentary committee on defence and security affairs, Andranik Kocharyan, recently stated without naming India.
"Our news media, our people are discussing all day long what weapons were brought, from what country, where it was tested. The relevant division of the defence ministry is also testing this weaponry, and the tests are very satisfactory," said Kocharyan. "The list of the countries is that which is being discussed, perhaps a bit more or less. That's not what matters, what matters is that the work in that direction is proceeding successfully."