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BAKU: Azeri Ministry Denies Russian Report On Arms Procurement Drive

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  • BAKU: Azeri Ministry Denies Russian Report On Arms Procurement Drive

    AZERI MINISTRY DENIES RUSSIAN REPORT ON ARMS PROCUREMENT DRIVE

    Azad Azarbaycan TV
    July 24 2008
    Baku

    Text of report by Azerbaijani private TV station ATV on 24 July
    [Presenter] Reports published in Russia's Moscow Defence Brief
    magazine about arms that Azerbaijan purchased between 2000-2007 are
    not true. A source at the Azerbaijani Defence Ministry press service
    told "Son Xabar" that by circulating these kinds of reports, pro-
    Armenian forces aim to divert the international community's attention
    from Armenia which is building up its armament.

    [Correspondent over archive footage of the 26 June military parade]
    Russia's Moscow Defence Brief magazine has published a list of military
    hardware that Azerbaijan purchased between 2000-07. It is noted in
    the magazine that Turkey allocated 170m dollars in military aid to
    Azerbaijan in 2005. Azerbaijan also obtains small arms and modern
    equipment from the US and Israeli firms on the basis of commercial
    deals. Azerbaijan signed an agreement with Ukraine on the purchase of
    12 MiG-29 fighter jets, two MiG-29 UB and 12 E-39 jets in 2005. Under
    a bilateral agreement, Azerbaijan will buy from Russia several BTR-90
    S and 70 BTR-80 A [armoured personnel carriers] in 2008.

    According to the list, Azerbaijan bought 106 T-72 tanks between
    2002-06. Our country bought two more BMP-1 military hardware from
    Ukraine in 2005; 36 pieces of 130-mm projectiles from Ukraine and
    72 pieces of 100-mm anti-tank projectiles from Bulgaria in 2002; 12
    pieces of 9RK58 Smerch multiple-launch rocket systems in 2004-05. It
    is claimed in the list that Azerbaijan bought dozens of such weapons
    from Turkey, Georgia and Ukraine.

    A source at the Azerbaijani Defence Ministry press service told "Son
    Xabar" that these reports were not true. The press service stressed
    that by outlining the strengthening of armament in Azerbaijan,
    numerous pro-Armenian forces functioning in Russia actually want to
    divert the international community's attention from Armenia, which
    is building up its military. The ministry said that the figures in
    the magazine were exaggerated and noted that they were absolutely
    wide of the mark. Ulviyya Aliyeva, "Son Xabar".
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