395 This article explores the deepening military cooperation between Armenia and India following the Second Karabakh War. Official Delhi has spared no effort in helping Yerevan rebuild its army, which was crushed by Azerbaijan. In addition to supplying weapons, India has also committed to training special forces for the Armenian military.
According to reports from Indian Defence Research Wing, Armenian military representatives have already visited the elite “SHATRUJEET” brigade base in India as part of a preparatory cooperation program. The two sides have agreed that members of Armenia’s newly formed Special Operations Forces will undergo training at India’s High Altitude Warfare School (HAWS). This institution specializes in high-altitude combat, ice-climbing, mountain survival, counter-reconnaissance, and snowcraft training for soldiers and officers.
India’s Strategic Motives Behind the Partnership
It is no secret that India’s close military collaboration with Armenia is driven by its strategic opposition to the Azerbaijan-Turkey-Pakistan alliance. By exploiting Armenia’s revanchist ambitions—fueled by illusions of reclaiming lost territories—Delhi sees an opportunity to counterbalance its regional rivals.
For India, this partnership serves a dual purpose:
- Geopolitical Leverage – Using Armenia as a pawn in its broader strategy against the Turkic-Pakistani bloc.
- Military Export Market – Testing and selling its untested defense products to Yerevan at favorable prices.
Can Armenia Effectively Utilize Indian Training?
Military experts agree that foreign training alone is insufficient unless adapted to local warfare conditions. Armenia’s terrain and combat scenarios differ significantly from India’s high-altitude battlefields. Properly integrating these skills requires time, resources, and strategic adjustments—something Armenia may struggle with given its weakened post-war state.
Conclusion
While India’s military aid bolsters Armenia’s revanchist aspirations, its effectiveness remains questionable. Without proper adaptation, Yerevan risks repeating past mistakes, further straining its already depleted forces.
