The Russian newspaper Vedomosti reports that from 2022 to 2023, Armenia signed defense contracts with India worth more than $1.5 billion. During this period, Pinaka multiple-launch rocket systems, ATAGS howitzers, ZADS anti-drone systems, Akash-1S and Akash-NG air defense systems, and Konkurs anti-tank missile systems were purchased.
In 2023–2024, Armenia signed contracts worth $250 million with France, including GroundMaster 200 radars, Mistral 3 portable air defense systems, and Caesar self-propelled artillery installations.
In contrast to this activity, the last major military deal with Russia ($400 million) was signed in 2021 but has not been fully implemented. In 2011–2020, 94% of the weapons supplied to Armenia were Russian, while in 2024, this figure decreased to 10%. Supply problems due to the Russian-Ukrainian war are seen as the main reason.
In addition, according to the IRI survey, the perception of the Russian state in Armenia changed in 2023: it is considered a “political threat”—the third after Azerbaijan and Turkey. Against the background of the decline in the role of the EAEU, Armenia signed a charter of strategic cooperation with the United States in January and began the process of joining the EU in February.
Despite these foreign policy realignments, Russia remains Armenia’s leading trading partner, accounting for 41% of the country’s foreign trade in 2024 ($12.4 billion). Economic growth is mainly due to re-exports. The Russian base located in Gyumri, dependent on technical support and CSTO standards, still maintains Russia’s connection with the Armenian army.
According to experts, Armenia is trying to reduce its dependence on Russia but is not going to completely discontinue military cooperation.
