Russia interested in paying Azerbaijan not in cash, but military supplies

Day.Az: Recently Russian Defense Minister Anatoly Serdukov arrived on a visit to Azerbaijan, in which the parties discussed prospects of bilateral cooperation. What can boost Azerbaijan's military-technical cooperation with Russia?

Rasim Musabayov: It is possible that the visit was planned long ago. The bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Russia has a military component. I recall that this is not the first visit by Serdukov to Azerbaijan.

Russia is interested in a strong position on Azerbaijan’s arms market. Azerbaijan is a cash unlike other allies of Russia, who prefer to get Russian weapons as a gift like Armenia, or on credit, which is not paid and deducted.

Azerbaijan has the money to pay for these purchases. Weapons now are sold not only by military-industrial complex, which produces new kinds of weapons. Russian has  a lot of planes, tanks, which the armed forces is pleased to sell it to Azerbaijan.

Q: What is the benefit to Azerbaijan from military-technical cooperation with Russia?

A: Azerbaijan is not going to buy rags. In Azerbaijan there are always issues related to the fact that Russia is prepared to sell weapons to Azerbaijan in order not to undermine balance. Russia supplies arms to Armenia free of charge. This option does not suit Azerbaijan.

There is a particular component of military-technical cooperation between our two countries which lies in the fact that, as far as I know, Azerbaijan continues to supply Russia certain number of components worth several tens of millions of dollars from the enterprises built back in Soviet times. In addition, there is rent and payment for electricity and water which is supplied by Azerbaijan to the Gabala radar station.

It is clear that Russia is interested in paying Azerbaijan for all of these not in cash but military supplies. I think that this issue was discussed during the visit.

Q: During a visit Serdukov together with Azerbaijani defense minister visited the Gabala radar station. Does this mean that they can revive talks on joint use of Gabala radar by Russia and the United States?

A:  I think that yes. In any case, these plans are relevant and have not yet been delivered to archives. There is no any other military facilities where Russian troops could go in Azerbaijani territory, but Gabala radar station. If Serdukov arrives in Azerbaijan, it is understandable that it would be inappropriate if he not visited the site. And if we take into account that the Gabala is a beautiful and picturesque region of Azerbaijan, then why would he not seize the opportunity and do not go there.

Q: Do you think a visit to the Gabala radar station was not the main purpose of this visit?

A: I do not think that this was the main purpose of the visit. Still, I think that the main purpose of the visit was to develop military-technical cooperation. I think for the Russian military it is important to feel the mood and reaction of the Azerbaijani on the Russian-Georgian relations, which may worsen and they may have military aspects.

On the other hand, provocative acts from Iran against Azerbaijan’s Alov field is not excluded. I think that for Azerbaijan it is very important to know the possible attitude of Russia for this kind of actions by  Iran and counter attempts by Azerbaijan. That is to what degree Azerbaijan can rely on the positive support of the Russian armed forces. Of course, Russia's armed forces remain number one on the Caspian Sea with great superiority.

/Day.Az/