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RUSSIA STRENGTHENING ARMENIA MILITARY BASE - PAPER
TERT.AM
18.01.13
In addition to its military support to South Ossetia, with which
Russia shares a common border, the country is also attentive to its
enclave military presence in Armenia, the Nezavisimaya Gazeta reported.
The author of the article, Vladimir Mukhin, notes that the
Russian Government is speeding up the signing of a military
technical-cooperation agreement with Armenia, following a
recommendation by President Vladimir Putin.
The Russian Ministry of Defense has fulfilled the plan for enriching
the Russian military base stationed in the second largest city of
Gyumri. Particularly, it has doubled the contract servicemen's number
in just six months. But it hasn't increased the staff.
All the military bases in Armenia (especially the air forces, the
anti-air defense, intelligence etc.) have been already enriched with
professionals. That essentially cuts the costs for the biannual
transportation of conscript soldiers, but isn't thought to be the
main motive behind the plan for increasing military efficiency.
Citing military experts, the Russian publication says the military
bases' rapid handover to professionals might conditioned by
the geopolitical changes that pose a threat to Russia and its
allies. The scenarios are reportedly linked to the likelihood of
a new Azerbaijani-Armenian war over Karabakh and Israeli military
operations against Iran
Experts have numerously voiced concerns over the possibility of such
scenarios, says the paper referring to the Collective Security Treaty
Organization's 2012 military drills in Armenia. Mukhin notes that
the exercises were aimed at repelling the illegal entry of unlawful
armed groups to the country.
"Will the Russian troops take part in the possible military operations
against Armenia? The question is political. But that's definitely
a fact. Our military base here has to be ready for peacekeeping
operations," Lieutenant-General Yuri Netkachev, who is a military
expert, was quoted as saying.
To affirm his thesis, he addresses a recent statement by Azerbaijani
President Ilham Aliev, expressing his country's readiness to exert
diplomatic, economic and military pressures against Armenia.
Noting that Azerbaijan's military budget makes $3.7 billion, Netkachev
says he doesn't think the Azerbaijani leader pronounced insignificant
words.
Russia not only enhances its military presence in Armenia but also
intends to intensify its military technical cooperation with the ally
country, says the publication.
Sources close to the Ministry of Defense have told Nezavisimaya
Gazeta that the draft agreement to be signed between Armenia and
Russia envisages creating a joint defense organization, as well as a
center for training border guards and specialists skilled in handling
emergencies.
Armenia's military industries are expected to manufacture armored
equipment and open a repair base.
The protocol was signed on February 9, 2012 by the heads of the
two countries' Security Councils, Arthur Baghdasaryan and Nikolay
Patrushev.
The Russian paper says, citing its sources the deal will be finalized
early in February.
Commenting on such likelihood, Director of the Russian Center for
Centre for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies Ruslan Pukhov said,
"We were facing a strange situation until quite recently. With Armenia
being our military ally, we were providing supplies to Azerbaijan. I
am now eager to hope that it will be settled after the agreement
[signing]."
Pukhov doesn't think Azerbaijan has always pursued friendly
policies with Russia. "We are aware that the Azerabaijani's refused,
particularly, to prolong the Gabala radar rent agreement, so Russia
has to look for alternatives," he said.
The expert believes Russia will protect Armenia's interests in the
South Caucasus by making its relations with the country more active.
TERT.AM
18.01.13
In addition to its military support to South Ossetia, with which
Russia shares a common border, the country is also attentive to its
enclave military presence in Armenia, the Nezavisimaya Gazeta reported.
The author of the article, Vladimir Mukhin, notes that the
Russian Government is speeding up the signing of a military
technical-cooperation agreement with Armenia, following a
recommendation by President Vladimir Putin.
The Russian Ministry of Defense has fulfilled the plan for enriching
the Russian military base stationed in the second largest city of
Gyumri. Particularly, it has doubled the contract servicemen's number
in just six months. But it hasn't increased the staff.
All the military bases in Armenia (especially the air forces, the
anti-air defense, intelligence etc.) have been already enriched with
professionals. That essentially cuts the costs for the biannual
transportation of conscript soldiers, but isn't thought to be the
main motive behind the plan for increasing military efficiency.
Citing military experts, the Russian publication says the military
bases' rapid handover to professionals might conditioned by
the geopolitical changes that pose a threat to Russia and its
allies. The scenarios are reportedly linked to the likelihood of
a new Azerbaijani-Armenian war over Karabakh and Israeli military
operations against Iran
Experts have numerously voiced concerns over the possibility of such
scenarios, says the paper referring to the Collective Security Treaty
Organization's 2012 military drills in Armenia. Mukhin notes that
the exercises were aimed at repelling the illegal entry of unlawful
armed groups to the country.
"Will the Russian troops take part in the possible military operations
against Armenia? The question is political. But that's definitely
a fact. Our military base here has to be ready for peacekeeping
operations," Lieutenant-General Yuri Netkachev, who is a military
expert, was quoted as saying.
To affirm his thesis, he addresses a recent statement by Azerbaijani
President Ilham Aliev, expressing his country's readiness to exert
diplomatic, economic and military pressures against Armenia.
Noting that Azerbaijan's military budget makes $3.7 billion, Netkachev
says he doesn't think the Azerbaijani leader pronounced insignificant
words.
Russia not only enhances its military presence in Armenia but also
intends to intensify its military technical cooperation with the ally
country, says the publication.
Sources close to the Ministry of Defense have told Nezavisimaya
Gazeta that the draft agreement to be signed between Armenia and
Russia envisages creating a joint defense organization, as well as a
center for training border guards and specialists skilled in handling
emergencies.
Armenia's military industries are expected to manufacture armored
equipment and open a repair base.
The protocol was signed on February 9, 2012 by the heads of the
two countries' Security Councils, Arthur Baghdasaryan and Nikolay
Patrushev.
The Russian paper says, citing its sources the deal will be finalized
early in February.
Commenting on such likelihood, Director of the Russian Center for
Centre for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies Ruslan Pukhov said,
"We were facing a strange situation until quite recently. With Armenia
being our military ally, we were providing supplies to Azerbaijan. I
am now eager to hope that it will be settled after the agreement
[signing]."
Pukhov doesn't think Azerbaijan has always pursued friendly
policies with Russia. "We are aware that the Azerabaijani's refused,
particularly, to prolong the Gabala radar rent agreement, so Russia
has to look for alternatives," he said.
The expert believes Russia will protect Armenia's interests in the
South Caucasus by making its relations with the country more active.