 Armenia arms against Azerbaijan In recent weeks, Armenia has ordered air defense systems and radars from France and was reported to have ordered anti-drone systems from India. This was stated by Business Insider. It is noted that those orders came amid heightened tensions with neighbouring Azerbaijan, with which Armenia has fought several conflicts, including a short clash in September that ended with Azerbaijan controlling the enclave of Karabakh. The acquisitions are notable not only for their timing, but also because they show Armenia is taking tangible steps to lessen its dependency on military hardware from Russia, a longtime ally that has offered Yerevan little support against mounting pressure from Azerbaijan. Armenia's six-week war with Azerbaijan in 2020 captured worldwide attention for Azerbaijan's use of aerial drones. At a press conference to announce the sale in October, France's defence minister said air defences were absolutely key and that Paris was aiding Yerevan with sales of three FAILS GM 200 radars and an agreement on the future delivery of short-range Hysteral Air Defense Missiles, the publication added. Armenia's choice to order air defense systems from France is a significant one. James Rogers, an expert on drone and precision warfare, told Business Insider, not only does it highlight to Russia that Armenia has options when it comes to defense cooperation, but it marks a major leap forward in Armenia's attempts to modernize its military. Reports in early November indicated Yerevan was also buying more weaponry from India, including Zen anti-drone systems which are designed to detect and bring down enemy drones. Armenia previously bought four Indian-made Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launchers in 2022, the first foreign order of that system. Nicholas Harris, the senior director of strategy and innovation at the New Lines Institute, told Business Insider that Armenia was advancing its foreign and national security policies on two tracks. One track is to build defense alliances with more powerful outside actors in Eurasia, and the second track is to improve the Armenian military's ability to defend against Azeri air power in tactical engagements, Harris said.