Armenia is set to bolster its military capabilities through the acquisition of India-made MArG 155mm wheeled self-propelled howitzers from Pune-based Bharat Forge. Representing a cutting-edge artillery system, these howitzers embody power, precision, and mobility.
The MArG 155mm/39 calibre stands out for its exceptional all-terrain manoeuvrability, capable of negotiating gradients up to 30°. Its ‘shoot and scoot’ capability adds versatility, making it a formidable weapon in modern combat scenarios.
This move signifies a pivotal moment for India’s export of indigenous defence technology. The MArG 155mm/39 calibre – BR, with its exceptional mobility and precision, represents a significant leap in artillery systems.
Armenia’s decision to acquire these howitzers is deemed a ‘significant development for India’s defence industry.’ Recent visits by Armenian officials to India involved testing the artillery system and finalizing the deal with Bharat Forge. This acquisition builds upon the growing strategic partnership between the two nations, positioning India as a key supplier of defence equipment to Armenia.
In 2020, Armenia procured four Swathi mobile radar units from India, and in September 2022, a US$245 million contract was signed for Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launchers, anti-tank rockets, and various types of ammunition.
This latest purchase adds to a series of acquisitions by Armenia from India since 2022, including the Akash Surface-to-air missile system, 155mm towed ATAGS howitzers, Zen Anti-Drone Systems, 30mm and 40mm grenades, PINAKA multi-barrel rocket launchers, anti-tank munitions, and ammunition. These acquisitions underscore the deepening collaboration in defence between the two nations, reinforcing Armenia’s defence capabilities.
Based on information in the public domain, since 1991, tensions have brewed between Azerbaijan and Armenia, sparked by the Armenian military’s occupation of Karabakh—an internationally recognized part of Azerbaijan—along with seven neighboring regions.
It has been reported in a section of the media that in a decisive move during the autumn of 2020, Azerbaijan liberated a significant portion of this territory through a war that concluded with a Russian-brokered peace agreement, paving the way for diplomatic normalization.
However, in a recent development this September, the Azerbaijani army launched a counterterrorism operation in Karabakh, aiming to establish a constitutional order, resulting in the surrender of illegal separatist forces in the region. According to Russia’s Tass News Agency, the two sides have been able to agree to basic principles for a peace treaty, but still are speaking different diplomatic languages.
Source: Financial Express