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By Elvin Sakhavatoglu, Day.az
After the defeat of Armenia in the Second Karabakh War, the West began to actively arm Yerevan. And we are talking about offensive, not defensive types of weapons. In this way, the West plays into the hands of the revanchists inside Armenia, who only sleep and dream about how to unleash a new war in the South Caucasus. India is not lagging behind in this direction, which is also consistently increasing the supply of lethal weapons to Armenia. There are enough facts about this in both local and foreign media.
Military deal between the US and Armenia
Official Washington is doing everything possible to transfer the growing global tensions against the backdrop of the Russian-Ukrainian war to the South Caucasus.
For example, on August 2 and 3, two military aircraft flew from US military bases in Romania and the Middle East to Armenia's Zvartnots Airport. The two US military aircraft delivered weapons and personnel to the airport, provided Armenia with sniper rifles, night vision devices, communications equipment, armored vehicles, mini-drones, and mines. In addition, the US sent adapted weapons and ammunition located on Armenia's border with Iran, as well as devices for tracking the trajectories of Iranian missiles.
But the United States, in its official statements, emphasizes that it wants to sign a peace treaty between Azerbaijan and Armenia as soon as possible.
Military deal between India and Armenia
Official New Delhi has already sold Yerevan the Pinaka missile system. Official Yerevan wants to purchase the Akash 1S air defense system by the end of 2024. These defense systems are capable of defending against aircraft, missiles and drones.
The Akash 1S has a wide range of capabilities. It can destroy air targets such as fighter jets, guided missiles and drones within a radius of 4 to 25 km. The arms trade between India and Armenia is worth about $600 million, and Armenia is New Delhi's largest arms importer.
It should be noted that India is just entering the global arms market. New Delhi was the world's largest arms exporter in 2018-2022. Arms sales to Armenia could be an effective advertisement for India.
The most remarkable fact is that weapons are supplied to Armenia via Iran.
The weapons were delivered to the Iranian seaport of Bandar Abbas. From there they are delivered to Armenia by land from Iranian territory.
Franco-Armenian military agreement
Official Irevan purchased multi-purpose armored vehicles "Bastion" from France, manufactured by the company "Akmat". These weapons were brought into the country through Georgia.
According to local media, France sent new weapons to Armenia within a few weeks.
It is reported that French 155-mm self-propelled artillery units CAESAR and their components, as well as anti-tank missile systems and air-to-air missiles, were delivered to Armenia.
Iran is involved in the French-Armenian military deal, as well as the Indian-Armenian military deal. Paris delivered weapons to Yerevan this time via Iran.
The weapons are delivered from France's Orly Airport to Iran's Mehrabad Airport, and from there the Iranian airline Meraj sends the weapons directly to Armenia.
The Armenian army reportedly had dozens of P511 and P530 air-to-air missiles, 30 ERYX anti-tank missiles, dozens of German-made DM32 grenade launchers, and a Panzerfaust at its disposal.
It should be noted that the full list of weapons sent to Armenia by the US, India, Iran and France is unknown. It is claimed that some weapons are smuggled into Armenia outside customs control.
Iran-Armenia military deal
Some time ago, the website "Iran International" published information about a military agreement between Iran and Armenia. It was claimed that Iran and Armenia signed a secret deal on arms supplies worth 500 million dollars. The Iranian side did not make any official statement confirming or denying this. According to information published in the local press, this news was not fake. Indeed, the mentioned secret arms agreement was signed between Yerevan and Tehran.
Of course, acting as a mediator in the supply of both Indian and French weapons to Iran to Armenia is an unfriendly move. Selling weapons is hypocritical.
In its official statements, Iran claims that "interference by foreign forces in the region is unacceptable." On the other hand, it acts as an intermediary in the delivery of weapons to Armenia from countries it considers foreign forces.
The processes show that the agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia does not benefit the forces that have interests in the region. Because if there is peace, there will be no tension in the region and armament will decrease.
Armenia's armament brings tensions in the region to a peak. This is a harbinger of a new bloody war. Azerbaijan does not want a new military conflict. But if our territorial integrity and national interests are threatened, a tough response will be given.