Greece and Armenia Express Interest in India’s Defence Corridor

8 May, India

Greece and Armenia have shown strong interest in investing in India’s Defence Industrial Corridor, particularly in Uttar Pradesh.

In major news for India’s defence industry, both Greece and Armenia have also shown keen interest in investing in India’s Defence Industrial Corridor (DIC), with a particular focus on Uttar Pradesh Defence Corridor. The step reflects increased strategic partnerships as well as convergence of security interests between the two countries.

Armenia has become a leading Indian defence export destination, with orders worth around $2 billion since 2020. The deals include a variety of cutting-edge weapons, including the Pinaka multiple-launch rocket systems, Akash-1 air defence systems, and Dornier-228 surveillance aircraft.

Armenia is also looking at the purchase of Indian missiles like the Astra air-to-air missile and the upgrades of its Russian-origin Su-30 combat aircraft fleet.

Greece, a NATO member, has been strengthening its defence cooperation with Armenia in trilateral arrangements with Cyprus. In August 2023, Armenia and Greece signed a memorandum of understanding on a joint defence industry cooperation on technology transfers and joint production.

Greek Defence Minister Nikolaos Dendias has also hinted at the possibility of a quadrilateral defence cooperation arrangement with Armenia, Greece, France, and India.

The interest from Greece and Armenia follows India’s ‘Make in India’ plan to support local defence production and minimise dependence on imports. The Uttar Pradesh Defence Corridor, being one of the two DICS set up by the Indian government, provides locational benefits in terms of its proximity to the industrial cluster and supply chain ecosystem.

Armenia’s geographical location also offers opportunities for India to increase its linkages with Eurasian markets. Armenia has suggested offering India a trade corridor through the Black Sea, enabling quicker movement of goods to Russia and Europe.

The joint initiatives between India, Greece, and Armenia reflect the direction towards diversified defence alliances and a common strategy towards regional security issues.

With these countries further consolidating their defence and strategic relationship, the investments in India’s Defence Industrial Corridor are set to become the deciding factor in defining the future of defence cooperation in the region.

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