India, Armenia deepen defence ties with missile deal talks

India and Armenia are expanding defence cooperation beyond conventional arms supplies, with discussions covering joint development, industrial collaboration and new-generation missile systems. Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh visited Yerevan on August 16 for two days, meeting Armenia's Defence Minister Suren Papikyan and other senior officials.

The Economic Times reports that the two sides explored avenues for co-development of military hardware and reviewed implementation of a bilateral cooperation plan. Singh's visit follows April talks in New Delhi between Armenia's First Deputy Defence Minister Lieutenant General Edvard Asryan and India's Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan.

Advanced cost negotiations are reportedly under way for Armenia's possible acquisition of India's Pralay tactical surface-to-surface missile and Astra Mk-1 air-to-air missiles, though no final agreement has been announced. The ET notes any Pralay deal would comply with India's export controls and Missile Technology Control Regime commitments. Armenia has already bought four Swathi radars, Pinaka rocket launchers, Akash air-defence systems and Advanced Towed Artillery Guns from India.