Russian-Armenian military cooperation

Russia, Armenia sign agreement on Combined Regional Air Defense System

Mutual cooperation plans for 2016 also were signed with participating Commonwealth of Independent States defense ministers

MOSCOW, December 23. /TASS/. Russia and Armenia signed an agreement on establishing the Combined Regional Air Defense System in the Caucasian Collective Security Region on Wednesday.

Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu and his Armenian counterpart Seiran Oganian put their signatures to the document. The agreement was signed after the ministers' bilateral meeting.

The two defense ministries also signed a cooperation plan for 2016.

Mutual cooperation plans for 2016 were also signed with other defense ministers, with whom Sergey Shoigu met in bilateral meetings - Kyrgyz General Staff Chief Colonel Zhanybek Kaparov, Tajik Defense Minister Lt. Gen. Sherali Mirzo, Azerbaijani Defense Minister Col. Gen. Zakir Gasanov and Kazakh Defense Minister Imangali Tasmagambetov. The meeting of the Russian and Azeri defense ministers was held under the closed doors.

"We have approved for 2016 a plan of work of the Defense Ministers' Council of the CIS countries and a plan of common steps on the joint air defense system," Shoigu said summing up the results of the meeting.

The strategy of military cooperation between CIS countries for 2015 has been implemented in full, Russian Defense Minister went on to say.

"We summarized the results of implementing the Military Cooperation Concept for CIS member countries in 2015. It was implemented in full," Shoigu told the session of the council of defense ministers of CIS member-countries. The participants in the session discussed more than 20 issues of different aspects of multi-party military cooperation.

He noted that further work will be based on the Military Cooperation Concept until 2020 adopted by CIS leaders in October.

At the meeting, the ministers revised a cooperation plan for troops of the joint air defense system and the documents regulating the work of the coordination committee on the air defense issues at the CIS Defense Ministers’ Council.

A number of bilateral meetings were also held, Shoigu said. "During the talks, we discussed a broad range of issues of cooperation in the military and military-technical spheres. The plans of bilateral cooperation of the defense ministries were signed for the next year," he said.

The participants of the meeting confirmed plans to further develop partnership based on the balance of common, regional and national interests.

Armenia to get refurbished Su-30SM and Il-76

http://www.defenseworld.net/news/15150/Armenia_To_Get_Refurbished_Il_76_and_Su_30SM_Aircraft_From_Russia#.VqPRTk1unIV

http://ru.oxu.az/war/113176

Here also another source for Su-30SMs in Armenia

http://bmpd.livejournal.com/1720207.html

Russia released the list of arms Armenia will buy via $200 million low-interest loan.

Russia lends $200M to Armenia to fund new weapons purchases

Published February 19, 2016  Associated Press
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YEREVAN, Armenia –  Russia has agreed to provide a $200 million loan to Armenia to fund the purchase of Russian weapons.

The loan agreement released by the Russian government Friday said the 10-year export credit will cover the purchase of Smerch multiple rocket launchers, Igla shoulder-fired air defense missiles, TOS-1 thermobaric rocket launchers, anti-tank missiles and other weapons.

Armenia is part of several Russia-dominated security and economic alliances that include many ex-Soviet nations, and it hosts a Russian military base.

The supplies of new weapons are certain to anger Azerbaijan, which has been locked in a conflict with Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh.

Sergei Minasian, an expert with the Caucasus Institute, said the new weapons shipments from Russia will help maintain a military parity with Azerbaijan amid increasing tensions in Nagorno-Karabakh.

AP.

3624th Russian Air-force Base in Armenia MiG-29

Outpost with questions

In case of conflict between Russia and Turkey, Armenia is at the forefront

Armenian armed forces today are the highest among the three armies of the Transcaucasian level military and moral-psychological training of personnel, but they are the smallest in the number of military equipment. However, the latter only applies to the sun "official". Nagorno Karabakh Armenian army is integrated with, and its exact dimensions like as unknown.

Armenian armed forces have formed in the war for Karabakh. However, since the country is not landlocked and bordered by Russia, it remains in the transport blockade by Azerbaijan and Turkey. Almost none of transit and through Georgia. As a result, the bulk of the cargo from the main ally - Russia - is a circuitous route through Iran. Support for Armenian Orthodox Shiite state is somewhat paradoxical. This is explained by the fact that Azerbaijan's main ally - Turkey - the main geopolitical enemy of Iran in the region.

Surrounded by enemies

Armenia is a CSTO member and formally sent a company of the RRF. However, due to the above mentioned features of the geographical location of the real participation in the organization of Yerevan can not take. The actual connection to the CSTO exercises the Russian 102nd military base.

Armenian Army include five army corps.

1st AK (headquarters in the city of Goris) is a part of the 2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade (Goris, of the units stationed in Karakhanbeyli on controlled Azerbaijani territories), 522nd (Sisian) and 539th (Agarak) motorized rifle regiments, tank , reconnaissance, MTO battalions.

2nd AK (Karchahpyur) - 555th motorized infantry regiment, a tank and reconnaissance battalions, an artillery battalion.

3rd AK (Vanadzor) - 3rd (Vanadzor), 246th (Ijevan), 543rd (Noyamberyan) and 549th (Chambarak) motorized rifle regiments, tank, communications, procurement and reconnaissance battalions, reactive and artillery divisions.

4th AK (Yeghegnadzor) - 527th motorized infantry regiment (Vaik), self-propelled artillery battalion, communications battalion.

5th AK (Nubarashen) - 9th fortified area, the 4th (Yerevan) and 545th (Nurabashen) infantry regiments.

In addition, the composition includes 535 NE-I study (Byrd), 23th special forces, missile, artillery, anti-aircraft missile, radio engineering brigade, motorized, self-propelled artillery, anti-tank artillery, 531st anti-aircraft missile, communications, engineering an engineering, procurement shelves, as well as the 7th fortified (Gyumri). On the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding Azerbaijani territories under Armenian control, deployed, except units 2nd Motorized Brigade, 83rd Motorized Rifle Brigade (Dashkesan) and 538th Motorized Rifle Regiment (Agdaban).

Armed with 8 PU OTP P-17 (32 missiles), not less than 2 PU "Point". The tank park consists of 137 T-72 and T-55 8. There are 120 BRDM-2, 12 BRM-1K, 10 BMD-1, 159 BMP-1 and BMP-8, 1K, 5 BMP-2, as well as more than 200 BTR - 6 BTR-152, BTR-19, 60, 54 BTR- 70, 114 BTR-80, up to 40 MTLB. A significant part of the BRM-1K, BMP-1, BTR-152/60/70 number is not in the sun, and in the MVD and border troops, but in the event of war, they will be automatically transferred to the CB. Artillery includes 38 ACS - 10 2C1, 28 2S3, 147 towed guns - 85 D-30, 26 2A36, 34 D-20, 2 D-1, about 80 mortars - 19 PM38 to 62 M-43, 51 MLRS - 47 BM-21, 4 WM-80 (Armenia - the only country apart from China itself, having this armed MLRS). In the near future Russia will be purchased MLRS "Smerch" and TOS-1A.

In service is from 9 to 20 ATGM "Baby", 12 "Fagot", 10 "Competition", 27 self-propelled "Sturm-C", 71 anti-tank gun - 35 D-44, MT-36 12. The army air defense available from 6 to 9 SAM "Wasp", 48 "Strela-10", 30 "Strela-1", 200 MANPADS "Strela-2" and 90 "Igla", 48 ZSU "Shilka". There is an agreement with Russia for the supply of an additional quantity of MANPADS "Igla-S".

Air Force and Air Defense of Armenia are composed of three air bases ( "Gyumri", "Arzni", "Erebuni"), one Squadron, 96th air defense missile brigade, two anti-aircraft missile regiment. On arms has 15 Su-25 (including two combat-capable Su-25UB) and possibly 1 interceptor MiG-25PD. Transport aircraft 3 IL-76, AN-2 3-6 and possibly one An-24 and An-32. Training: 6 L-39, 10-14 Yak-52, Yak-1, 55, 5 Yak-18T. Attack helicopters: 12 Mi-24 (Mi-8 24V / R, 2 Mi-24RA, 2 Mi-24K). Multipurpose: 11-20 Mi-8/17, 8-9 Mi-2. Helicopters - Air KP: 2 Mi-9. Surface air defense includes 3 divisions (36 CP) S-300PT and 2 divisions (24 CP) S-300PS, Division 1 S-75 (6 CP), 5 battalions of S-125 (20 CP), 3 SAM "Circle" (27 CP).

The factor of "Karabakh"

NKR ground forces estimated size is known. Most likely, in their structure, there are 140 T-72 tanks and up to 34 T-55, 5 BRM-1K, 80 BMP-1, 153 BMP-2, 9, BTR-70, 12 ACS 2S1 and 2S3, 100 M guns -30 and D-30, D-16, 1, of about 50 D-20 and 2A36, 24 MLRS BM-21, for at least 6 self-propelled ATGM "Sturm-S" and BRDM-2 ATGM "Competition", not less than than 6 SAM "Wasp" and ZSU "Shilka", several SAM "Strela-10".

As part of the NKR Air Force and Air Defense (presumably) one battalion of S-300PS and SAM "Cube", the batteries 5-6 (15-18 PU) SAM "Circle", 2 Su-25, 3 combat Mi-24 and 5 Mi-8. It is likely that a significant portion of the above-mentioned battalions of S-75, S-125 and "Circle" defense of Armenia handed the NKR defense.

In general, the total capacity of the Armed Forces of Armenia and NKR within existing fortifications and high combat qualities of staff is a reflection provides a possible attack by the Azerbaijani Armed Forces. However, the trends are unfavorable. Azerbaijan is much higher economic opportunities. He now has an overwhelming superiority in the air that is offset by Armenia and Karabakh strong ground defense.

Hand of Moscow

On the territory of Armenia (Gyumri) is, as mentioned above, the 102nd military base of the Russian Federation Armed Forces. It consists of 123, 124, 128th infantry, artillery 992 th and 988 th air defense missile regiments, 3624th Air Base (in the Erebuni airdrome), other units. On arms - about 100 T-72 tanks, around 150 BMP-1/2 and BTR-70/80, 18 2S1 self-propelled guns and howitzers D-30, BM-27 mortars, 37, 18 MLRS BM-21 "Grad" and BM-30 "Twister", 12 self-propelled anti-tank systems "contest" (on the BRDM-2), and VET MT-12, and 1 battalion S-300V and SAM "Buk-M1" 6 SAM "Strela-10" 6 ZSU "Shilka", 18 MiG-29 fighters (including 2 MiG-29UB), 8 helicopters, Mi-24 and Mi-8.

For most of the period of independence in Armenia is the socio-political debate about whether the country needs the Russian base and not better to seek the support of NATO. Events of the last eight years show that the alliance with Russia provides resistance to external aggression, settlement on the North Atlantic Alliance guarantees the complete absence of protection, but for some reason, only a few are able to accept the obvious. For Russia, the conclusion of the 102nd base will be a particular nuisance in Armenia - a disaster.

Not the fact that I-102 WB will help defend Karabakh, but it is quite accurate to fight on the side of Yerevan, in the case of Azerbaijan and Turkey's attack on Armenia itself.

Now there are new geopolitical circumstances, which, however, should be expected. The long-term affair with Moscow ended in Ankara widely anticipated gap. The belief in Marxist dogma about the primacy of economics over politics has not helped. Politically, Russia and Turkey's interests have always been not only different, but diametrically opposed, as revealed in Syria. We can not exclude direct military confrontation, which can easily go beyond its borders. And if Russia hit Turkey with its own territory (from the Crimea and North Caucasus), the 102nd base, located near the border with Turkey, is at the forefront. If Turkey is attacking this base first have to fight and Armenia, because its territory is subjected to aggression. If Ankara does not want itself to open the north-eastern front to Moscow and Yerevan there difficult dilemma - whether to use 102-th World Bank and the Armenian Armed Forces. Even their joint potential to significantly inferior to Turkey, but in this case, Ankara will have to fight in all directions, which would be an extremely serious problem.

Armenia will face many times more powerful opponent when there is a threat also in the north - from Azerbaijan. There is a danger of a complete military defeat of the occupation of the country and, of course, an irretrievable loss of Karabakh. On the other hand, acted directly on the side of Russia, Yerevan gaining a reputation only true, but not in words, Moscow ally, in this case has a good chance to get rid of the main threats (Turkish) at least for a long time. Moreover, in the event of a serious military defeat of Turkey in Baku definitely not risk to go for the military option to return Karabakh in any foreseeable future (especially since the fall in oil prices severely hamper the development of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces). Selection of Yerevan will be extremely difficult, but it will not be able to escape from him.

Realities

In Armenia, more than 30 enterprises of the defense industry, which produce a variety of devices and equipment, but not arms and equipment in its final form. During the Soviet period there were created some new models of small arms, light system is N-2 for firing rocket-propelled grenades, as well as drone "Krunk". The whole country is completely dependent on imports of weapons.

Armenian president S.Sargsyan visited Erebuny RuAF a/base in Armenia.

http://tankasan.livejournal.com/166224.html

ISKANDER and SMERCH making their appearance in Armenia.

Photos taken today on Yerevan streets. Rehearsal for the parade that will take place on the 21st of September is taking place now.

TheArmenian wrote:ISKANDER and SMERCH making their appearance in Armenia.

Photos taken today on Yerevan streets. Rehearsal for the parade that will take place on the 21st of September is taking place now.

Someone is finally using common sense in Moscow. They're over 16 years late, but it's a start.

George1 wrote:Armenia received tactical missile complexes "Iskander-E"

This website got it wrong. Yes, the Iskander-E is the export version, but Armenia's is M.

Exclusive video: Armenia's Iskander-M ballistic missiles and more

http://echelon-defense.com/2016/09/18/exclusive-video-armenias-iskander-m-ballistic-missiles-and-more/

MOSCOW, November 17. /TASS/. The deployment of Russia’s Iskander missile systems in Armenia was a necessary step designed to maintain balance in the region, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan told the Rossiya 24 TV channel on Thursday.

More:
http://tass.com/defense/912987

Retired Col. Gen. says three Iskander missile batteries consisting of three launchers delivered to Armenia

http://defense-watch.com/2016/11/19/retired-col-gen-says-three-iskander-missiles-batteries-consisting-of-three-launchers-delivered-to-armenia/

Russia and Armenia seal deal to create United Group of Troops

The Russian and Armenian defense ministers also signed a cooperation plan for 2017

MOSCOW, November 30 /TASS/. Russian Defense Minister General Sergey Shoigu and his Armenian counterpart Vigen Sargsyan on Wednesday signed an agreement for creating the United Group of Troops.

Earlier, on November 14, Russian President Vladimir Putin approved the idea of striking a deal with Armenia and ordered a draft agreement be sealed for the creation of the United Group of Troops in the collective security region in the Caucasus. The group "is supposed to provide an adequate response to any armed attack as well as to other challenges and security threats to the parties."

Sargsyan in turn said that the United Group of Troops would comprise the 102nd Russian military base deployed in Armenia and Armenian army units.

The Russian and Armenian defense ministers also signed a cooperation plan for 2017.

Shoigu congratulated his Armenian counterpart on his new appointment. "Hopefully, we are going to have the same friendly relations as with your predecessor," he emphasized adding Russia was ready to expand ties with Armenia in the sphere of military education.

"Practically, all Defense Ministry institutions of high learning train experts for Armenia. So, this work continues and we are ready to expand it along these lines," Shoigu said.


More:
http://tass.com/defense/915668

102nd Russian Army Base in Gyumri has received a very substantial quantity of new military hardware: Tigr 4x4s,RKhM-6 NBC recon vehicle(s), Infauna EW complex, Auriga satellite communication relay,recon complex Lampa & undisclosed kind & quantity of #UAVs.



https://function.mil.ru/news_page/country/more.htm?id=12152349@egNews

As TASS news agency reported on March 29, 2018, Russia's supply of arms to Armenia for a new loan of $ 100 million, approved by the government of the republic in the fall of 2017, will begin in 2018. This was announced on Thursday at the exhibition ArmHiTec [in Yerevan] by the deputy head of the Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSMTC) Vladimir Drozhzhov.

https://bmpd.livejournal.com/3142288.html

Armenia will receive Russian Tor-M2 surface-to-air missile systems

According to the information agency REGNUM in the material of Leonid Nersisyan, according to the information distributed within the framework of the television program of the Armenian Defense Ministry "Zinuzh", in a few months Yerevan will receive Russian short-range anti-aircraft missile systems (Tor-M2). Thus, Armenia continues to be actively armed with the most modern technology.

Thus, the content of one of the three contracts within the framework of the new Russian military loan is disclosed.
It is known that after realization of deliveries on the first Russian preferential military loan for $ 200 million Yerevan was offered a second loan - $ 100 million. According to Deputy Defense Minister Artak Zakaryan (to date, already an ex-deputy minister), as of December 2017, three contracts were signed, the total amount of which even exceeded $ 100 million (part of the purchases were financed by the Armenian budget). According to the deputy minister, these supplies will have to strengthen the air defense system (AD) and advanced positions. Now it is quite clear that one of the three contracts just implies the delivery of the short-range SAM "Tor-M2".

The bmpd comment. Most likely, we are talking about the planned delivery of a 9K331M Tor-M2 anti-aircraft missile system with 9M338K anti-aircraft guided missiles (9M339K) to the Zinuzh TV program, and the systems of the previous modification 9K332ME / MK Tor-M2E / K with zenith guided missiles 9M331.

Video of the program "Zinuzh":


https://bmpd.livejournal.com/3207116.html

An alternative to the military-political alliance of Russia and Armenia is war https://regnum.ru/news/polit/2495687.html

Armenia will get new fighters
https://regnum.ru/news/polit/2517805.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armenian_Air_Force#Current_inventory

to compare: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azerbaijani_Air_and_Air_Defence_Force#Current_inventory

BREAKING: Russian base reportedly established in southern Armenia's Sisian. Pictured is Sisian airport.





https://twitter.com/301_AD/status/1369304014458871811

Shoigu says Russia is ready to help Armenia modernize its armed forces. 

The Russian Defense Ministry is ready to assist in the modernization and reform of the Armenian armed forces. This was stated on Wednesday by Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, welcoming Arshak Karapetyan in Moscow with the rank of Defense Minister of Armenia.

"We attach great importance to the development of our cooperation in the military field both in a bilateral format and within the framework of the CSTO. At the same time, we are ready to continue supporting the implementation of the program for the reform of the Armenian Armed Forces. The task is not easy, but I think that with your experience, it will be up to you" – Shoigu said.

He noted that the 102nd Russian military base is located on the territory of the republic, which is well equipped and is a security guarantor. "Armenia is an ally and key partner of Russia in ensuring security in Transcaucasia, and we are extremely interested in maintaining stability in this region," the minister added.

Shoigu congratulated Karapetyan on his appointment, noting that it took place "at a difficult time, when there are complex tasks of reforming the country's defense sector."

In turn, Karapetyan expressed gratitude to Shoigu for his readiness to help restore the combat capability of the Armenian Armed Forces, equip and train the troops.

He stressed that his first foreign visit in the rank of Defense Minister is to Russia, which is a strategic ally of Armenia. "Russia is the only state that provides a real tangible security product for the Armenian people and today deals with security issues not only in Nagorno - Karabakh, but also directly on the borders of Armenia," Karapetyan said. "We are ready for very close and effective cooperation."

Source: 

Armenian aircraft or replacement for the Russian aircraft?

https://twitter.com/RALee85/status/1456388636585472006