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PREVENTIVE MEASURES: ARMENIA RESPONDS TO AZERBAIJAN'S MILITARY RHETORIC BY SHOWING AIRSTRIKE CAPABILITY
By Naira Hayrumyan
ArmeniaNow
22.10.12 | 11:03
Photo: MOD Press Department
Last week Armenia marked the Day of Armenian Missile and Artillery
Troops. But that wasn't the main factor that generated interest in
the missile forces. The main interest was fueled by the unprecedented
statement made by Armenia's deputy defense minister about Armenia's
being ready to carry out strike against the oil and gas infrastructure
of the "conventional enemy" in the event of the latter's aggression.
Enlarge Photo
Major-General Artak Davtyan, commenting on the recent exercises of the
armed forces of Armenia and Karabakh during which launches of missiles
with a range of 300 km were simulated, stated that the missiles are
aimed specifically to target [Azerbaijan's] industrial infrastructure.
He noted that the missile strikes would be of preventive nature and
would be directed against specific sites: the oil, gas and energy
infrastructure that supports the [Azerbaijani] economy.
In August 2010 Armenian Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan, talking
about the modernization of weapons, stated that in the future focus
would be on the acquisition of long-range and high-precision weapons,
as well as their domestic production. At a military parade in 2012
such weapons were shown.
The statements about the possibility of launching precision strikes
were taken in Azerbaijan with anxiety. On the one hand, the fact that
the great powers did not react to that was perceived in Baku as a
message about the inadmissibility of renewed hostilities in Karabakh.
"Along with the exploitation of its oil and gas fields Azerbaijan
has all the capabilities to ensure their security," said head of the
press service of the Defense Ministry of Azerbaijan Eldar Sabiroglu
in a statement.
"As for the oil and gas infrastructure, it is shared by Azerbaijan
with the major powers of the world and their companies. Besides,
there are all the necessary forces and means of air defenses to
protect that infrastructure. At the same time, the opponent must
be reminded that the new missile system in Azerbaijan can reach any
strategic facility in the territory of Armenia," he added.
Azerbaijani expert Rauf Mirkadirov says that, in fact, "the matter
concerns the destruction of the main elements of the Southern Energy
Corridor, which should become a major factor in ensuring Europe's
energy security by reducing its dependence on Russia in this field."
Furthermore, in the expert's view, it would be tantamount to a
declaration of war by Armenia to Georgia. At the same time, he
says, such missile strikes may be carried out only in the event of
Azerbaijan's aggression, which means that the blame for the destruction
of the Southern Energy Corridor will be laid on Azerbaijan.
Meanwhile, in 2013 Azerbaijan has earmarked $3.7 billion for military
spending. Experts point out that Azerbaijan is buying up submarines
and boats, thus showing that the purpose of its armament is not only
Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh, but rather Iran and Turkmenistan.
The Armenian side says that its missiles, warnings, and large-scale
exercises are intended to maintain stability in the region and prevent
"adventures".
"Exercises are an activity aimed at reinforcing peace and stability
and our army is capable of enforcing peace," says Armenian military
expert David Jamalyan.
"The new military equipment of our army - anti-tank weapons,
missiles, air defense facilities, armored vehicles - all this can
deter aggression of the enemy," says Jamalyan. He added that special
equipment had been installed to allow aircraft to enter the airspace
of Karabakh from Azerbaijan.
Recently, the US-based Center for Military Analysis, IMINT, also
published information and made a satellite photograph showing that
in the Syunik province of Armenia there are two units of S300 air
defense systems. Thus, the Armenian Armed Forces have taken under
their protection the entire airspace of Nagorno-Karabakh.
From: Baghdasarian
By Naira Hayrumyan
ArmeniaNow
22.10.12 | 11:03
Photo: MOD Press Department
Last week Armenia marked the Day of Armenian Missile and Artillery
Troops. But that wasn't the main factor that generated interest in
the missile forces. The main interest was fueled by the unprecedented
statement made by Armenia's deputy defense minister about Armenia's
being ready to carry out strike against the oil and gas infrastructure
of the "conventional enemy" in the event of the latter's aggression.
Enlarge Photo
Major-General Artak Davtyan, commenting on the recent exercises of the
armed forces of Armenia and Karabakh during which launches of missiles
with a range of 300 km were simulated, stated that the missiles are
aimed specifically to target [Azerbaijan's] industrial infrastructure.
He noted that the missile strikes would be of preventive nature and
would be directed against specific sites: the oil, gas and energy
infrastructure that supports the [Azerbaijani] economy.
In August 2010 Armenian Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan, talking
about the modernization of weapons, stated that in the future focus
would be on the acquisition of long-range and high-precision weapons,
as well as their domestic production. At a military parade in 2012
such weapons were shown.
The statements about the possibility of launching precision strikes
were taken in Azerbaijan with anxiety. On the one hand, the fact that
the great powers did not react to that was perceived in Baku as a
message about the inadmissibility of renewed hostilities in Karabakh.
"Along with the exploitation of its oil and gas fields Azerbaijan
has all the capabilities to ensure their security," said head of the
press service of the Defense Ministry of Azerbaijan Eldar Sabiroglu
in a statement.
"As for the oil and gas infrastructure, it is shared by Azerbaijan
with the major powers of the world and their companies. Besides,
there are all the necessary forces and means of air defenses to
protect that infrastructure. At the same time, the opponent must
be reminded that the new missile system in Azerbaijan can reach any
strategic facility in the territory of Armenia," he added.
Azerbaijani expert Rauf Mirkadirov says that, in fact, "the matter
concerns the destruction of the main elements of the Southern Energy
Corridor, which should become a major factor in ensuring Europe's
energy security by reducing its dependence on Russia in this field."
Furthermore, in the expert's view, it would be tantamount to a
declaration of war by Armenia to Georgia. At the same time, he
says, such missile strikes may be carried out only in the event of
Azerbaijan's aggression, which means that the blame for the destruction
of the Southern Energy Corridor will be laid on Azerbaijan.
Meanwhile, in 2013 Azerbaijan has earmarked $3.7 billion for military
spending. Experts point out that Azerbaijan is buying up submarines
and boats, thus showing that the purpose of its armament is not only
Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh, but rather Iran and Turkmenistan.
The Armenian side says that its missiles, warnings, and large-scale
exercises are intended to maintain stability in the region and prevent
"adventures".
"Exercises are an activity aimed at reinforcing peace and stability
and our army is capable of enforcing peace," says Armenian military
expert David Jamalyan.
"The new military equipment of our army - anti-tank weapons,
missiles, air defense facilities, armored vehicles - all this can
deter aggression of the enemy," says Jamalyan. He added that special
equipment had been installed to allow aircraft to enter the airspace
of Karabakh from Azerbaijan.
Recently, the US-based Center for Military Analysis, IMINT, also
published information and made a satellite photograph showing that
in the Syunik province of Armenia there are two units of S300 air
defense systems. Thus, the Armenian Armed Forces have taken under
their protection the entire airspace of Nagorno-Karabakh.
From: Baghdasarian