{"id":18733,"date":"2023-10-27T10:40:34","date_gmt":"2023-10-27T07:40:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/?p=18733"},"modified":"2023-10-27T11:00:28","modified_gmt":"2023-10-27T08:00:28","slug":"armenia-procures-french-equipment-to-strengthen-air-defense-plans-to-reduce-russian-military-presence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/armenia-procures-french-equipment-to-strengthen-air-defense-plans-to-reduce-russian-military-presence\/","title":{"rendered":"Armenia procures French equipment to strengthen air defense, plans to reduce Russian military presence"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

France has pledged to boost Armenia\u2018s air defenses as Yerevan has agreed to purchase radar systems from the French group Thales. The move comes as Armenia considers reducing its reliance on Russia, which has been Armenia\u2019s traditional security guarantor.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian has said that there is no advantage in continuing to host Russian military bases on its territory after Azerbaijan retook the contested region of Nagorno-Karabakh region. Yerevan is seeking Western support as its relations with Russia deteriorate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The latest developments come as Azerbaijan took control of Nagorno-Karabakh in a lightning military operation on September 20. The area is internationally viewed as Azeri territory but had been run by ethnic Armenians since the breakup of the Soviet Union in the 1990s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nagorno-Karabakh region, also known as Artsakh by Armenia, lies in an area that has a centuries-long history dating back to the times of the Ottoman and Russian empires. The region has always been a Christian stronghold and home to ethnic Armenians.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Weapons deal with France<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As Armenia tilts toward the West and seeks deeper cooperation, France has come forward to help Yerevan improve its defense capabilities. Paris has agreed to sell weapons to Armenia, including air defense systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEven if we are not part of the same military and political alliances, we assume this defense relationship, which is based on the simple principle that you need to be able to defend yourself and your civilian population,\u201d French Armed Forces Minister Sebastien Lecornu told his Armenian counterpart Suren Papikyan at a press conference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Thales<\/a>
Thales Ground Master 200 MM\/A tactical 4D AESA radar. (Image Credit: Thales)<\/sup><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe protection of the sky is something that’s absolutely key,” Lecornu said during a joint news conference with Armenia\u2019s Defense Minister Suren Papikyan in Paris.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


What weapons is Armenia buying from France?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

French group Thales and Yerevan signed a contract for the purchase of three radar systems on October 23, French media reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n