Opinion: “Russian weapons to improve balance between Armenia and Azerbaijan”

Russia and Armenia agreed on the loan of $200 million last year, but only after the signing of the agreement it has became known, what kind of weapons will purchase Yerevan from Moscow. The ratification of the Treaty over the 10-year loan with deferred payments until the beginning of 2018 took place the day before. The document is published on the official portal of legal information.

According to the agreement, Armenia is purchasing from Russia MLRS “Smerch” and ammunition to it, anti-aircraft missile complexes “Igla-S”, surface complexes of electronic jamming system “Avtobaza-M”, as well as flamethrower system TOS-1A “Buratino”, 9М113М guided missiles, rocket-propelled grenades RPG-26, Dragunov sniper rifles, armored “Tiger” vehicles, engineering tools and means of communication.

This is an impressive renewal for Armenia, those are weapons of offensive nature, but they are called to restore the balance of forces in the Karabakh conflict zone, — says Vladimir Yevseyev, head of the Department of Eurasian integration and SCO development at the Institute of CIS countries.

“Heavy flame thrower system TOS-1A “Buratino” worked out in Iraq, now it’s being used in Syria, featuring high efficiency, and its presence in Armenia guarantees the non-use of TOS-1A “Buratino” by the Azerbaijani side, which has previously received this system from Russia,” told RUSARMINFO Vladimir Yevseyev.

According to the expert, the MLRS “Smerch”, that Armenia is going to buy, is the most modern system in the world, which together with anti-aircraft missile complexes “Igla-S” will strengthen the air defense of the country. “At a time when Azerbaijan’s aviation is dominated by a number of aircrafts and helicopters, Armenia should strengthen its air defense system. In these terms, Russia helps the country, providing such weapons that Armenia will be able to place at any point and use in case of a war with Azerbaijan, or with Turkey,” said Vladimir Yevseyev.

In addition to the balance in the field of heavy weapons, according to the expert, it is important to restore the balance in relation to the light weapons, as now in the zone of Karabakh conflict we’re observing reconnaissance and sabotage operations.

“In such conditions, it is essential to have modern sniper rifles with great range. In addition, for effective defense of troops the army needs mobility that can provide armored vehicles “Tiger”, helping to eliminate the enemy, pursue and destroy its subversive groups,” concluded Vladimir Yevseyev.

On 18 January of 2016, the Russian Finance Ministry warned of a possible hiatus in new lending to other countries in 2016 in the context of the tight budget situation. However, the loan of $200 million for Armenia will eventually be issued.