Nov 21 2023
Armenia is planning to enhance its military capabilities by procuring MArG 155mm wheeled self-propelled howitzers manufactured by Pune-based Bharat Forge in India. These howitzers are a modern artillery system that offers power, precision, and mobility. With the ability to negotiate gradients up to 30°, the MArG 155mm/39 caliber stands out for its exceptional all-terrain maneuverability. Its ‘shoot and scoot’ capability adds versatility, making it a formidable weapon in modern combat scenarios.
India's export of indigenous defence technology has reached a pivotal moment with this recent move. The MArG 155mm/39 caliber – BR is an exceptional artillery system that offers mobility and precision. Its acquisition by Armenia is considered a significant development for India's defence industry. Armenian officials have visited India recently to test the howitzer and finalize the deal with Bharat Forge. This acquisition strengthens the strategic partnership between India and Armenia and positions 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.
In a recent development in September, the Azerbaijani army launched a counter-terrorism operation in Karabakh with the aim of establishing constitutional order. This resulted in the surrender of illegal separatist forces in the region. Both sides have agreed to basic principles for a peace treaty, according to Russia's Tass News Agency. However, there are still differences in their diplomatic language.
https://www.siliconindia.com/news/general/armenia-bolsters-defence-capabilities-with-indian-marg-155mm-howitzers-nid-226570-cid-1.html