The planning and operation of Armenia's anti-air defense capacities remain fully within the national armed forces' competences, the minister of defense said today, ruling out possible restrictions under the anti-air defense agreement to be signed with Russia.
National Armed Forces responsible for Armenia’s anti-air defense planning – minister
STEPANAKERT, JUNE 29, ARTSAKHPRESS: “In both peacetime and wartime, the anti-air defense aviation forces and resources have been and will be planned and operated by the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia, especially the anti-air defense and aviation’s leadership,” Seyran Ohanyan told reporters at a commemoration ceremony in Yerevan’s military pantheon Yerablur.
The minister described the deal as part of the country’s efforts to expand military cooperation on different platforms, ruling out the possibility of deteriorated relations with NATO. He said Armenia’s military is exchanging experience with other countries’ armed forces as one of the best peacekeepers in the region.
Asked by Tert.am whether Armenia can now fully trust Russia in the light of that country’s continuing arms trade with Azerbaijan and failure to supply the intended quantity of weapons to Armenia under the $200 million worth loan, the minister said he doesn’t absolutely see any threat. In his words, all the arrangements intended to create regional blocs and develop military and military-technical partnership in collaboration with Russia are implemented on an appropriate level.
“Our military-technical cooperation is developing, so Russia should not be thought as the state whose armament- and military equipment-related imports in Armenia are the biggest and highest in quantity,” he noted.
