Armenia

France Commits Military Aid to Armenia, Offers Advanced Air Defense Systems

On February 23, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan received the delegation led by French Minister for the Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu, who arrived on an official visit to the Republic of Armenia. The interlocutors discussed the works carried out in the direction of defense cooperation and upcoming plans. The parties emphasized Armenia-France cooperation within the framework of the reforms of the Armenian Armed Forces, including military education, combat training, and other directions. The sides exchanged thoughts on issues related to regional security and stability.

During a joint press conference with his French counterpart Sebastien Lecornu in Yerevan on February 23, Armenian Defense Minister Suren Papikyan said that the agenda of military cooperation between Armenia and France covers almost all spheres of life of the armed forces. Papikyan said his talks with Lecornu took place in a substantial and practical atmosphere. "The agenda of our cooperation covers practically all spheres of life of the armed forces. Particularly noteworthy is France's comprehensive advisory support to Armenia's reforms in the defense sector, military education, and, of course, the modernization of the defense means of the Armenian Armed Forces. I would like to inform you that the bilateral cooperation since this year has been based on precise planning and has developed in more than a dozen directions," the head of the Armenian military department noted.

"During the talks, the French side was familiarized with the process of reforming the Armenian army, which is aimed at forming the armed forces meeting modern standards and capable of confronting modern challenges," Papikyan added. "Armenia has an indisputable right to form defensive alliances with various states and organizations without having any aggressive intentions towards other countries," Papikyan added. Papikyan stressed the importance of reforming the armed forces of the Transcaucasian Republic and diversifying its relations in the military-political sphere, especially after the events of September, when Armenia began to seek ways to strengthen its defense capabilities actively. "India has emerged as a key ally in Asia, the first to respond to Armenia's calls, and France has taken a similar stance in Europe, demonstrating its willingness to support strengthening its military capabilities," Papikyan noted. "France's role in the development of the Armenian Armed Forces is vital, and the sides have managed to record significant progress in a year and a half," he added, stressing that the two countries' defense partnership has the character of long-term planning.

In response to the question of whether the cooperation with Paris does not contradict Yerevan's obligations within the framework of the Collective Security Treaty Organization, as well as whether the position of neighboring Iran, whose authorities have repeatedly pointed out the destructiveness of the presence of extra-regional forces in the South Caucasus, is taken into account, Minister Papikyan said that all international agreements are based on the principle of reciprocity. He called Armenia's aspiration to diversify its defense alliances a conscious choice conditioned by the security challenges. Armenia has the right to independently determine the directions of its foreign policy and defense cooperation based on the national interests and security of the country while remaining open and transparent in its actions. "As for our neighbors, friends, allies, various centers (of power), regarding the same Iran, I can say that Armenian-French cooperation is not directed against anyone. I think we have the right to cooperate with both France and Iran. Our French colleagues respect our cooperation with our other partners, our Iranian colleagues respect our cooperation with our French partners. I think our Russian colleagues should do the same. Armenia has no taboos for cooperation for (ensuring) its own defense," the head of the military department said.

French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu said that France will supply Armenia with, among other things, short-, medium- and long-range air defense systems if necessary. "If Armenia needs it, we can also put short, medium, and long-range air defense systems at its disposal. This is what it means to be a reliable and trustworthy partner when it comes to the sovereignty of a country," Lecornu noted. He informed that France handed overnight vision devices to Armenia, and a new batch of Bastion armored vehicles is being prepared. "|All these means have defensive significance, they should contribute to protecting Armenia's borders and population," he stressed. Lecornu further drew attention to the fact that since the times of Charles de Gaulle, France has been a self-sufficient country in arms production. "Everything that the French army uses is produced in the Fifth Republic itself, which provides freedom of action in building defense cooperation on the external perimeter," the minister said.

"The nomenclature of French arms supplies will depend on the needs of the Armenian side. At the same time, it is necessary to understand what weapons, in what volumes, in what terms, and at what price French manufacturers are ready to supply," the head of the military ministry added. According to Lecornu, no one can criticize France for defense cooperation with Armenia.

Ceasefire Breach Allegations

On February 24, the ministry refuted the statement by the Ministry of Defence of Azerbaijan, which claimed that on February 24, around 12:45 PM [local time], Armenian Armed Forces units had allegedly fired toward Azerbaijani positions in the eastern part of the border. 

Simultaneously, the Ministry of Defence informed that on February 24, at approximately 12:30 PM, Azerbaijani armed forces units discharged fire against Armenian combat positions near Verin Shorzha in the Gegharkunik region. 

Non-combat Loss

On February 24, at 17:55, under still unknown circumstances (according to preliminary data - as a result of a gunshot wound), Senior Danieli Zakaryan, a soldier of the Ministry of Defense N military unit, died. An investigation is underway to find out the circumstances of the case.

Azerbaijan

Local exercises

On February 19, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry reported that a training course for tank and combat vehicle crews is being held in the Azerbaijan Army. During the course involving young soldiers specializing as mechanics drivers and gunner-operators, the military personnel fulfilled the tasks of operating tanks and various combat vehicles by overcoming natural and artificial obstacles. All necessary conditions have been created at the course held to improve the knowledge and skills of servicemen.

On the same day, classes were held with the personnel of the Air Defense Units. During the classes, the combat crews of the divisions of the S-300 "Favorit" anti-aircraft missile complexes were put on alert and accomplished tasks on preparing the equipment for combat, protecting facilities from air attack, overcoming imaginary enemy missile strikes, and others. The main purpose of conducting the classes is to increase the theoretical knowledge and practical skills of military personnel and maintain the combat readiness of Air Defense Units at a high level.

On February 22, Special Forces’ units and subunits held the next tactical-special exercise on "Conducting combat operations in the severe cold." In the exercise, the special forces specified the tasks on the model of the area and accomplished the tactical redeployment activities by snowmobiles in the high mountainous area and severe cold. The battle groups carried out a sudden ambush on the stronghold of the imaginary enemy, the manpower detected in the object and on its flanks was destroyed, the supply roads were blocked, and the tasks of destroying other support forces were carried out. The assigned tasks were carried out with high professionalism during the exercise held to increase the knowledge and skills of the command staff on unit management in snowy and frosty weather conditions, to conduct combat operations and rescue measures, to improve the skills of personnel in skiing, as well as firing skills in motion and motionless states.

After a day, the tactical exercise of the combat and support ship group of the Naval Forces was held by the training plan for 2024, approved by the Defense Minister, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov. Under the plan, the ships left the basing site on alert and accomplished combat tasks on protection and defense of energy infrastructure in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea. During the two-stage exercise, the ship groups accomplished tasks on detention and inspection of the floating ship, patrolling activities in the oil and gas pipeline areas, the organization of anti-submarine sabotage defense at anchor in the ship tactical groups, and the sea passage to the designated area by performing joint floating activities, destruction of the enemy's imaginary surface and air targets. The main focus of the exercise is to work out the joint activities of commanders and staff officers in conditions of a possible threat to territorial waters, as well as to improve the knowledge and skills in managing units during battle. It should be noted that 26 ships and 450 servicemen of the Naval Forces were involved in the tactical exercise.

On February 24, first, at the exercises, the supplies necessary for the activities of military personnel in snowy weather and difficult areas, the provision of various mountain equipment and food, and the ability of units to deploy in the area in winter conditions were checked. Practical classes were conducted during the exercise to improve the command staff's knowledge and skills in professionally conducting combat operations, rescue measures, and unit management in severe cold. During the practical classes, the rules for the group’s movement and covered advance in high mountain areas, movement on difficult slopes, the ski group’s battle order, as well as descent from steep cliffs using mountain equipment were worked out. Various exercises were conducted to adapt the special forces involved in operations requiring high endurance and special skills to the severe cold conditions. At the tactical-special exercises, which checked military personnel's skills in performing combat missions in severe cold, special forces groups clarified the tasks on the terrain model board and performed tactical actions in the imaginary enemy’s rear. Following the assigned task, the groups assaulted the imaginary enemy’s position located on high ground. After receiving first medical aid, the serviceman wounded during the assault actions was evacuated by the use of military vehicles designed for difficult terrain. All the assigned tasks were fulfilled during the exercise held to improve the skills of military personnel in conducting combat operations in severe weather conditions by taking advantage of terrain features, evacuation of the wounded, and skiing.

Ceasefire Breach Allegations

On February 24, the ministry reported that at 21:40 [local time], the Armenian armed forces units from the positions in the direction of Arazdeyen settlement of the Davali region using small arms subjected to fire the Azerbaijan Army positions stationed in the direction of Heydarabad settlement of the Sadarak region of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.

On the same day, the report noted that at 12:45, the Armenian armed forces units from the positions in the direction of Yukhari Shorzha settlement of the Basarkechar region using small arms subjected to fire the Azerbaijan Army positions stationed in the direction of Yellija settlement of the Kalbajar region. The ministry stated, "In an attempt to conceal the committed armed provocation, the Armenian Defense Ministry later disseminated information that the Azerbaijan Army Units allegedly opened the fire and mentioned the coordinates of our units' positions to make this disinformation seem credible. We declare that the Azerbaijan Army Units did not open fire from the mentioned direction. No retaliatory actions related to the opposite side's provocation were taken to ensure sustainable stability on the conditional border."

On February 24, at 21:40, the Armenian armed forces units from the positions in the direction of the Arazdeyen settlement of the Davali region using small arms subjected to fire the Azerbaijan Army positions stationed in the direction of Heydarabad settlement of the Sadarak region of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.

Georgia

Meeting with the Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey

On February 21, the Georgian Defense Ministry reported that Major General Giorgi Matiashvili, the head of the Georgian Defense Forces, met with Ali Kaan Orbai, the Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey Emergency and Plenipotentiary to Georgia.

The sides discussed strategic partnership and defense cooperation between the countries. The meeting noted the support given by Turkey in the process of development of Georgian defense forces, including military education, joint exercises, expert, material-technical, and various Turkish contributions, as well as assistance found in the process of the implementation of the NATO-Georgia Essential Package (SNGP).