Armenia in Talks to Acquire 78 More ATAGS Howitzers from India

Photo: Indian Defense News

Armenia is in talks to acquire 78 additional units of the Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) howitzers from India, building on the successful deployment of an initial batch of six units.

The first set of ATAGS howitzers underwent rigorous testing in Armenia's diverse terrains, including mountainous regions and plains, proving their long-range accuracy and reliability, The Caspian Post reports, citing Indian Defence Research Wing (IDRW).

The successful performance of these howitzers has led Armenia’s Ministry of Defence to consider expanding the procurement. 

Military personnel’s feedback will be incorporated into the next batch, with a focus on enhancing user-friendly features. A notable addition will be an Armenian-language interface to simplify operations for local forces. 

The Armenian military is also planning minor customizations to better suit their specific operational needs.

This acquisition represents a significant step in Armenia's growing defence ties with India, which has already supplied a variety of advanced weaponry, including the Pinaka multiple-launch rocket system and other artillery. India’s defence exports have been expanding, with Armenia emerging as one of its largest customers. In the fiscal year 2023-2024, India achieved $2.6 billion in military sales, with Armenia, the United States, and France among the top buyers.