India sells air defense missiles to Tajikistan, Turkmenistan in Central Asia push

India has sold Akash, a homegrown short-range surface-to-air missile system, to two Central Asian countries: Tajikistan and Turkmenistan. The sales mark India’s first reported defense foothold in those markets and support its wider effort to expand military exports.

The system is designed to protect against aerial threats. It can engage several targets at once, reach targets up to 25 kilometers away, and resist electronic jamming. Indian Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh confirmed the two sales but did not reveal their contract value.

The deals matter because both buyers are seeking alternatives to Russia, traditionally a major arms supplier in Central Asia. Russia’s war with Ukraine has strained its defense resources and reduced its ability to export air-defense systems. India hopes Akash can open doors for sales of other equipment, including artillery and radar systems.

Akash is a short-range surface-to-air missile system developed and produced by India. Its basic purpose is to defend against threats approaching through the air, especially high-velocity aerial targets. That makes it part of a country’s air-defense network.

The system can simultaneously engage multiple targets at ranges of up to 25 kilometers, according to India’s Defence Ministry. It also includes protections against electronic jamming, which is intended to help it operate when an opponent tries to disrupt its electronic systems. Indian officials describe it as effective against fast aerial threats.

Akash gained additional credibility after Indian defense officials said it was used effectively during India’s four-day conflict with Pakistan in 2025. Analysts called that real-world use “battle-tested.” India previously sold the system to Armenia in 2022, making Armenia its first foreign customer.

Akash is a short-range system, but its stated capabilities are significant for nearby air defense. India’s Defence Ministry says it can engage multiple targets simultaneously at ranges of up to 25 kilometers. The system also incorporates protection against electronic jamming, helping preserve its effectiveness in contested conditions.

India’s wider defense-export industry has grown sharply alongside Akash. Exports rose about 62 percent in the last financial year, reaching $4.1 billion. Indian companies now export missiles, drones, armored vehicles, ammunition, and aircraft components to more than 80 countries.

Akash is one part of that expansion. India has also exported the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, including a shore-based anti-ship system to the Philippines. It has signed a deal with Vietnam, while discussions with Indonesia continue. These sales show India moving beyond individual products toward a broader defense-export industry.

Tajikistan and Turkmenistan are looking beyond Russia because Russia’s war with Ukraine has placed pressure on its defense resources. Russia has traditionally been one of Central Asia’s main arms suppliers, but analysts say it is increasingly focused on domestic needs and is less active in foreign defense markets.

That pressure is especially important for air defense. Aleksei Zakharov said Russia’s reduced capacity to export air-defense systems, particularly in large numbers, is encouraging Central Asian countries to examine alternatives. India’s Akash offers one such option, with a stated range of up to 25 kilometers and protection against electronic jamming.

The shift is not necessarily a rejection of Russia. It reflects a desire to reduce dependence on a single supplier and guard against future disruptions. India’s lower-cost systems and recent Akash sale to Armenia also give buyers reasons to consider Indian equipment.

Diversifying defense suppliers gives Central Asian countries more options. If one supplier faces shortages, political pressure, or delivery disruptions, buyers may be less vulnerable when they can turn to another source. The approach can also reduce reliance on Russia, which has become less active in export markets while focusing on its domestic needs.

Akash provides a concrete starting point. Analysts describe it as cost-effective and say its use in India’s 2025 conflict with Pakistan strengthened confidence in the system. A successful air-defense sale could encourage buyers to examine other Indian products, including artillery and radar systems.

For India, the deals offer more than missile revenue. They could establish relationships in Central Asia and help balance China’s growing influence there. India is seeking a broader defense-export role, and Akash may serve as an important first step into regional markets.

India was a major arms importer for decades, but it has gradually developed its domestic defense industry and increased overseas sales. That change reflects growing confidence in Indian design and production. It also gives India a way to build defense relationships beyond its own borders.

Akash illustrates the emerging model. It is an indigenous missile system now sold to Armenia, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. BrahMos shows an even higher-end capability. Developed jointly with Russia, the supersonic cruise missile has customers in Southeast Asia, including the Philippines, and India has signed a deal with Vietnam.

The results are visible in the numbers. India’s defense exports rose about 62 percent to $4.1 billion in the last financial year, reaching more than 80 countries. Continued sales could strengthen India’s industry, influence, and supplier relationships, while making exports a larger part of its defense story.

Air defense is the set of systems and actions used to protect people, forces, and important sites from threats arriving through the air. In general, it can involve detecting an incoming aircraft or missile, tracking it, disrupting its electronics, or destroying it with a weapon. Countries need it because aerial attacks can arrive quickly and threaten forces or infrastructure.

Akash is one example of a missile-based air-defense system. India’s Defence Ministry says it can engage multiple targets simultaneously at ranges of up to 25 kilometers. It also includes protection against electronic jamming, which can help preserve its operation when an opponent tries to interfere with signals or communications.

The system is intended for high-velocity aerial targets. Indian officials said it was used effectively during the country’s four-day conflict with Pakistan in 2025. That reported battlefield use helped strengthen confidence in Akash among potential buyers.