India has exported its indigenous Akash air defence system to Armenia, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh has said, highlighting the system’s growing presence in international markets.
Armenia was the first foreign customer and has acquired multiple batteries, according to Singh. Exports to Tajikistan and Turkmenistan have followed, although details such as contract values and delivery schedules have not been publicly disclosed.
Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Akash is a short-range surface-to-air missile system. It is manufactured by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL). The system is designed to engage aerial targets and is operated by the Indian Armed Forces.
Singh said production of the Akash system has stabilised, with additional orders from India’s armed forces alongside overseas demand. He described the programme as an example of the development of indigenous missile design and production capabilities.
The exports add to India’s expanding defence trade, as domestic manufacturers increasingly seek overseas markets for indigenously developed military equipment. The government has also set a target of increasing India’s defence exports in the coming years.