Russia to sign an agreement with Armenia to create a Combined Regional Air Defense System TASS 12612151

Defence & Security News - Armenia
 
Russia to sign an agreement with Armenia to create a Combined Regional Air Defense System.
A Russian-Armenian agreement on establishing the Combined Regional Air Defense System in the Caucasian Collective Security Region has been signed in Moscow. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and his Armenian counterpart Seiran Oganyan signed it after their bilateral meeting.
     
A Russian-Armenian agreement on establishing the Combined Regional Air Defense System in the Caucasian Collective Security Region has been signed in Moscow. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and his Armenian counterpart Seiran Oganyan signed it after their bilateral meeting.Armenian soldiers with IGLA MANPADS Man-Portable Air Defense System at military parade in Stephanakert, Artcakh (Armenia) May 9, 2012
     
The defense ministers also signed a Russian and Armenian Defense Ministries Cooperation Plan for 2016.

Bilateral defense ministries cooperation plans for 2016 also were signed with other heads of defense ministries, with whom Sergei Shoigu met in bilateral meetings - Kyrgyz General Staff Chief Colonel Zhanybek Kaparov, Tajik Defense Minister Lt. Gen. Sherali Mirzo, Azeri Defense Minister Col. Gen. Zakir Gasanov and Kazakh Defense Minister Imangali Tasmagambetov. The press was not invited to attend the meeting of the Russian and Azeri defense ministers.

As was reported in the media, Russian President Vladimir Putin authorized the signing of the Russian-Armenian agreement on the Combined Regional Air Defense System in the Caucasus Collective Security Region. The Air Defense Coordination Committee of the CIS Defense Ministers Council said in a statement: "As far as the CIS Combined Air Defense System is concerned, priority should be given to the further integration on the regional basis, i.e. by forming national or combined regional air defense systems in the East European, Caucasian and Central Asian collective security regions."

According to US publication Military Balance, the Armenian Armed Forces operate the following surface-to-air missile systems: the S-300 (NATO reporting name: SA-10 Grumble), S-300PM (SA-20 Gargoyle), 2K11 Krug (SA-4 Ganef), 2K12 Kub (SA-6 Gainful), 9K33 Osa (SA-8 Gecko), S-75 Dvina (SA-2 Guideline), S-125 Pechora (SA-3 Goa). They also have the 9K38 Igla (SA-18 Grouse) and 9K310 Igla-1 (SA-16 Gimlet) man-portable air defense missile systems in t heir inventory.

The Armenian Air Force lacks aircraft fit for the air defense role. However, Armenia is a host to a Russian air base, where 18 Mikoyan MiG-29 (Fulcrum) fighter jets are stationed. They are expected to be replaced with sophisticated MiG-29SMT fighters in 2016. Besides, there are Russian S-300V (SA-12 Gladiator/Giant) batteries deployed in the region.
     
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