Russian-Armenian military cooperation

Russia to extend military presence in Armenia by 24 years

RIA Novosti

13:44 18/08/2010

MOSCOW, August 18 (RIA Novosti) - Russia's military presence in Armenia will be extended by another 24 years, the Armenian foreign minister said on Wednesday.

The term of a 1995 bilateral treaty on the Russian military base in Gyumri, northern Armenia, will be extended from 25 to 49 years, Eduard Nalbandyan said.

Under the amendments to the treaty, to be signed in the course of the Russian president's forthcoming visit to Armenia, the base "will ensure the interests of Russia and the security of the Republic of Armenia," he said.

President Dmitry Medvedev will visit Armenia on August 19-20 at the invitation of President Serzh Gargsyan, the Kremlin press service announced on Tuesday.

Russia will also provide Armenia with arms and modern military equipment, the minister said.

Russia's 102nd Military Base has been deployed in Gyumri since 1995 as part of a CIS integrated air defense system. It is under the command of Russia's North Caucasus Military District.

It is armed with S-300 surface-to-air missile systems and MiG-29 fighters. The base has around 5,000 personnel.

http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/library/news/russia/2010/russia-100818-rianovosti01.htm

The Associated Press
Wednesday, December 29, 2010; 2:55 PM

YEREVAN, Armenia -- Armenia's Defense Ministry has announced that it has S-300 air defense missiles and says it made the announcement to remind neighboring Azerbaijan of the dangers of renewing military conflict.

Tensions remain high between the two countries over the unresolved status of Nagorno-Karabakh, a region that lies within Azerbaijan but has been under the control of Armenian troops and ethnic Armenian forces since a six-year separatist war ended in 1994.

Russia has long maintained S-300s on its base in Armenia, but Wednesday's announcement was the first acknowledgment that Armenia has missiles of its own. It is not clear how long Armenia has had them.

Defense Ministry spokesman David Karapetyan said the missiles would "coerce Azerbaijan into keeping the peace."



Azerbaijan and Turkey are surely not happy with this development  

and we all know the source of this great weapon

Very interesting. This could be huge. Armenia is a Russian ally and desperately need huge amounts of modern weapons.

Azerbaijan is arming like there is no tomorrow and is threatening with war.

Armenia starts the process of large-scale modernization of armored vehicles and air defense


In Armenia started the process of profound modernization of armored vehicles and air defense systems. This is a REGNUM has learned from sources in the Ministry of Defense.
Specifically, the source said that the joint venture with Poland began overhaul and modernization of T-72 tanks to the level of the RT-72U. The tank will get a new power plant with a capacity of 1,000 hp, improved dynamic protection, lattice screens covering the stern of the hull and turret. Will be installed standalone turret, with remote control, equipped with a 12.7 mm machine gun. The same machine will get a pie surveillance system with 8 cameras, panoramic thermal sight and a new communications system. Will also increased crew comfort - in a tank mounted air conditioning system. All of these changes can bring a standard T-72 to the level of the last Russian and Ukrainian T-90 tanks and BM "Hold."

Infantry fighting vehicles BMP-1 and BMP-2 also will be renovated, in a joint venture with the Russian Federation, and in the process will be seriously upgraded with a real improvement of performance characteristics - will set new anti-tank missiles and 30mm cannon.
Particular attention is paid to the modernization of air defense systems, the source said. In addition to the already known systems modernization OSA-AKM, with increased sensitivity, especially at night, at times, with the modernization of the Russian Federation launched anti-aircraft missile systems S-300PT-1 and S-300PS, to the P-300PM. On the set of the new missiles will be installed 48N6E, instead of the old 5V55R, which will increase the firing range from 75 km to 150 km. New radar provides a detection range of up to 300 km, and the ability to fire at the same time 6 targets, with guidance for each of up to 2 missiles at a time.


LINK

YEREVAN, June 27 (RIA Novosti) – Russian military bases in Armenia will be modernized and upgraded, Armenia’s top national security official said Thursday.

Modernization of Russia’s 102nd Military Base at Gyumri, in northern Armenia near its border with Turkey, and the airbase at Yerevan’s Erebuni Airport will begin this year and continue for several years, Artur Bagdasaryan, head of the National Security Council, said after a meeting with Nikolai Bordyuzha, general secretary of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), an intergovernmental military alliance of former Soviet states.

Bordyuzha said the CSTO’s scope would be augmented to include special operations forces and a collective air force, designed to “defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of CSTO member states.”

The CSTO includes Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan.

A senior Russian military official said last year Russia would double the number of contract personnel at its Gyumri base while permanent staff numbers would remain at the current 5,000.

In 2010, the lease on the base was extended through 2044. The base is part of the air defense system of the post-Soviet Commonwealth of Independent States and is home to S-300 anti-aircraft missiles and Mikoyan MiG-29 fighters.

Russia has repeatedly said the presence of that base in the republic does not violate any international agreements or upset the balance of forces in the region.

http://en.rian.ru/military_news/20130627/181913865/Russia-to-Upgrade-Its-Bases-in-Armenia.html

Interesting video about Armenian PVO

New big deal in making. I suspect Smerch/Iskander at least.

Armenia will buy long-range weapons from Russia - Defense Ministry

Armenia could secure other deals for cheap but modern APCs/IFVs/small arms/protective gear/comm equipment/etc... from Poland, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Romania, etc... not to mention Russia & Belarus of course with its CSTO discount.

Going to be enormous amounts of surplus gear from Russia very soon in terms of small arms and vehicles.

Nice   




Party MiG-29 Refurbished entered the airbase "Erebuni" in Armenia

WOW! an AN-22! don't see those too often anymore!

I wish they would reactivate the Il-106 programme.

Now that tensions are high with the Ukraine I suspect agreements with Antonov will become even more difficult... I think perhaps Tu-330s instead of An-70s, Il-106s can take some of the pressure off the Il-476s at higher weights and the An-124s at lower weight missions and Tupolev could radically modify its PAK DA to become a heavy transport too to perhaps replace the An-124 in long term.... or develop a new plane from scratch.

Otherwise the engine development programs seem to be going well and all new helicopter engines will be Klimovs...

Russia Launches Tactical Sniper Drills in Armenia

Russian reconnaissance troops have started tactical sniper drills in the mountainous areas of Armenia.

Russian Military Holding 'Anti-Diversion Operation' Drills on Kuril Islands
Russian reconnaissance units based in Armenia have begun tactical sniper exercises in the remote areas of this South Caucasian country, according to the press service of the Russian Southern Military District.

More than 100 servicemen, including those from a Russian rifle company, are taking part in so-called "sniper duels", the press service said.

"The sniper drills are being held between two teams carrying different insignia. One of them is acting as a simulated enemy sniper group which is being targeted by the other counter-sniper detachment. During their sniper duels, soldiers improve their ability to pick firing positions, their camouflage skills and their ability to deliver aimed fire with ballistic corrections," the press service added.

The current drills are the final stage of preparation and coordination of sniper pairs stationed at the Russian military base in Armenia.

The exercises come two days after Russia's artillery drills in Armenia, where operators of Grad multiple rocket launchers practiced using their weapons systems in the field.

Read more: http://sputniknews.com/russia/20150320/1019772727.html#ixzz3V6kCW3fs

Joint military drills discussed by CSTO secretary general, Armenian top officials

Joint drillss of CSTO peacekeeping forces Unbreakable Brotherhood-2015 are to be held in Armenia in September

YEREVAN, March 23. /TASS/. Secretary General of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) Nikolay Bordyuzha on Monday had a number of meetings with Armenia’s top officials to discuss issues of stability in the Caucasus.

Chief of CSTO Joint Staff Alexander Studenikin also took part in these meetings.

At a meeting with Armenia’s President Serzh Sargsyan, "the sides discussed cooperation within the Collective Security Treaty Organization, joint events, including preparations for joint exercises of CSTO peacekeeping forces Unbreakable Brotherhood-2015 planned to be held in Armenia in September," the press service of the Armenian president’s administration said.

A meeting with Armenian Defense Minister Seiran Oganyan centered round the implementation of resolutions of the December session of the CSTO Collective Security Council, issues of regional and international security. "Specific attention was focused on the organization of various events planned within the CSTO, including military exercises in Armenia," the Armenian Defense Ministry said.

Over 1,000 Russian Soldiers Begin Tactical Training in Armenia

Russian Defense Ministry’s Southern Military District’s press service said that more than 1,000 Russian military personnel have begun tactical exercises at the Alagyaz Training Complex in Armenia.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – More than 1,000 Russian military personnel have begun tactical exercises at the Alagyaz Training Complex in Armenia, the Russian Defense Ministry’s Southern Military District’s press service said Tuesday.

“More than 1,000 military servicemen and around 300 pieces of hardware, including tanks and self-propelled artillery units, are involved in the exercises,” the press service said.

Earlier this month, Russian MiG-29 (Fulcrum) jet fighter pilots carried out military exercises from a Russian base in Armenia.

In March, more than 2,000 Russian military personnel from air defense units have begun exercises in the country’s south, as well as at Russian military bases in Armenia, South Ossetia, and Abkhazia.

The Russian Defense Ministry has announced plans to conduct at least 4,000 military exercises this year.

Read more: http://sputniknews.com/russia/20150414/1020860685.html#ixzz3XHi9xzA3

Russian air base in Armenia begins tactical flight drills involving MiG-29 fighters

More than 30 aircraft and special wheeled vehicles and 150 troops will take part in the drills lasting through April 18

MOSCOW, April 15. /TASS/. Russia’s air base Erebuni, in Armenia, has begun a flight tactical exercise involving MiG-29 fighter jets, the press-service of the Southern Military District has said.

"The exercise will last till April 18, with more than 30 aircraft and special wheeled vehicles and 150 troops taking part. The air base’s commander, Colonel Alexander Petrov is in charge," the press-service said.

The Southern Military District said that one fighter will be simulating an enemy aircraft. Other pilots will be practising search, interception, dogfight and forced landing.

Also, the pilots will take part in battalion level exercises at the high altitude proving ground Alagiaz.

"Redeployment to a reserve airdrome will be an important phase of the operation. The pilots will practice the use of standard radiation protection suits and gas masks and the decontamination of aircraft after passing through an ostensibly radioactive cloud," the press service said.

Putin's Armenia Trip for Genocide Anniversary Not to Harm Ties With Turkey

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Vladimir Putin's visit to Yerevan to commemorate the 100-year anniversary of Armenian genocide during the Ottoman Empire will not harm relations with Turkey.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to Yerevan to commemorate the 100-year anniversary of Armenian genocide during the Ottoman Empire will not harm relations with Turkey, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Monday.

"We have very tight partner relations with the Republic of Turkey that have a very strong base in mutual economic cooperation. Our positions on many global problems coincide," Peskov told journalists in regard to possible negative implications on the construction of the Turkish Stream pipeline if Putin arrives in Yerevan for the commemoration ceremony.

"These events cannot bring anyone any harm," Peskov added.

Yerevan estimates up to 1.5 million Armenians were massacred under the Ottoman Empire's oppression during World War I in 1915.

Ankara's refusal to identify the deaths of Armenian minorities through mass executions and forced deportations as genocide has put a strain in Turkish-Armenian relations. Efforts to restore diplomatic ties were short-lived, leading to the suspension of a 2009 settlement of border disputes and the language of genocide.

Russia, meanwhile, saw significant growth in bilateral ties with Turkey in the midst of pursuing a project to supplant the scrapped South Stream pipeline. The proposed Turkish Stream is designed to supply up to 63 billion cubic meters of natural gas to European nations via the Black Sea.

Some 47 billion cubic meters are expected to be rerouted to meet Turkey's energy needs, with the Turkish Stream's first leg scheduled to be constructed in late 2016.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is slated to visit Moscow later this year as part of a High-Level Russian-Turkish Cooperation Council.

Read more: http://sputniknews.com/politics/20150420/1021120808.html#ixzz3XrPFPf4s

Nice

Russia in talks to supply Armenia complexes "Iskander-M"

Russia holding talks on supplies of Iskander-M missile systems to Armenia — source

The systems will not be exported until 2016, the design bureau representative says .Russia is holding talks on supplies to Armenia of Iskander-M tactical missile systems, the contract has not been signed yet, a military source told TASS on Thursday. "The contract has not been signed, talks are underway," the source said.He underscored that "all information on such contracts is secret. "Earlier, Konstruktorskoye Byuro Mashinostroyeniya, or KBM (Machine-Building Design Bureau), which is the key manufacturer of Iskanders, said that the systems will not be exported until 2016. Nevertheless, they have been put on a list of products allowed to be sold abroad. In particular, last year it was reported that Kazakhstan is interested in the export version of Iskanders. In June, the delegation of Saudi Arabia visited the Army-2015 forum in the Moscow Region to hold talks on acquisition of the systems.

George1 wrote:Yerevan: Russia To Loan Armenia $200M For Arms

The Iskander would give the Armenians the capability to strike deep into Azerbaijani territory. But such a conflict will be detrimental to Russian interests.

Joint Russian-Armenian Air Defense Shield to Cover Middle East

A joint Russian and Armenian air defense system project was launched long ago and is not connected to the ongoing turmoil in the Middle East. Nevertheless, the crisis in the region proves the necessity of such measures, political analyst Sergei Minasyan said.

Russia President Vladimir Putin ordered to sign an agreement on the creation of a joint air defense system of Russia and Armenia. The decree was published Wednesday.

The system will allow for protecting the airspace far to the south of the Russian borders, political analyst Sergei Minasyan said.

"The system will comprise air defenses and Russian combat jets deployed to the Southern Military District. This would allow for monitoring the airspace far from the Armenian borders. The system will also help modernize Armenian air defenses and improve their operational range," Minasyan told Sputnik Radio.

The deployment of air defense missile systems, radio-radars and jet fighters to Armenia will allow for protecting the airspace far from the Russian borders, including in the Middle East, he pointed out.

According to him, the initiative was launched long ago.

"It has been in the development for over 10 years. And now it’s just a coincidence with the Syrian conflict. The situation in the so-called Greater Middle East just proves that the measures are effective," the analyst said.

Minasyan underscored that Moscow and Yerevan laid groundwork for the project back in the 1990s.

"From political and strategic points of view there have been no significant changes. The system still works. Russia and Armenia coordinate their actions in patrolling the airspace. The new joint air defense system would just be more effective," he said.

Read more: http://sputniknews.com/russia/20151112/1029958587/russia-armenia-air-defense-system.html#ixzz3rNptqz54

Russia Reinforces Base in Armenia With Attack, Transport Helicopters

Six attack and transport helicopters were deployed to the Russian military base in Armenia.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Russia has reinforced its military base in Armenia with attack and transport helicopters, the Defense Ministry’s Southern Military District’s press service announced Monday.

“Six modern attack Mi-24P and transport Mi-8MT helicopters from the Army’s aviation have been delivered [to the Armenian military base] from a military airbase in the Krasnodar region,” the press service said.

By signing an agreement with Armenia to create a joint missile air defense system in the South Caucasus, Russia has made a wise geopolitical move, US global intelligence company Stratfor reported.

Currently, the aircraft are being assembled, according to the press service.

The district’s Erebuni base in Armenia was formed in 1995 and the MiG-29 Fulcrum multirole fighters were deployed there in 1998. In July 2001, the units at Erebuni were incorporated into an air division of the Russian 102nd Military Base in Gyumri, Armenia.

On December 8, the military district said that seven of Russia’s advanced Mi-24 Hind attack helicopters and Mi-8MT Hip transport helicopters had been deployed to the Erebuni base.

Russian pilots are expected to begin helicopter flights from the base in the first quarter of 2016, according to the press service.

Read more: http://sputniknews.com/military/20151221/1032081119/russia-military-base-armenia-helicopters.html#ixzz3uxHoMEMe