Armenia focused on extensive and lasting military-technical cooperation with Russia – PM

Armenia is focused on extensive and lasting military-technical cooperation with Russia which derives from lasting and strategic interests of the two states, Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said in an interview to Russian Interfax.

“Taking into consideration that in the territory of Armenia two Armenian-Russian groups have been created and are functioning – the United Group of Forces and CSTO United Regional System of Air Defense in the Caucasian region – and that the two countries are CSTO member states in the format of which collective troops have been created, it is clear that Armenia is extremely interested in supplies from Russia to have contemporary and compatible arms and ammunition together with the Russian Federation and other CSTO allies,” he said, adding that with the same reason Armenia is interested in the delivery of arms and ammunitions to Armenia in the same bundling as for the Russian Armed Forces.

Asked whether Armenia will continue purchasing Russian weapon and SU-30SM fighters and ammunition for them in particular, the PM said, “I will give positive answer to the type of jet you mentioned because these are contemporary multi-functional fighters and their purchase is envisaged both by bilateral contracts and by the program of development of national armed forces.”

Pashinyan also stated that decisions on new Russian loan for acquiring weapon and on the needs of Yerevan will be made based on the results of the reforms in the army which are now being implemented.

“In this phase I see no reason to discuss the funding sources and the structure separated from the goals and the issues which  will be predicated in the process of reforms in the army. As to the ongoing loan commitments, naturally they will be served properly and in time,” the PM stated.