Armenian opposition MPs critical, defence minister up beat on air defence deal

Debate over the proposed joint Armenian-Russian air defence agreement continues in the Armenian parliament. While the defence minister and ruling party MPs have backed the deal, opposition MPs have voiced concern that it will undermine Armenia's ability to defend itself.

Armenian Defence Minister Seyran Ohanyan said the deal provides "new opportunities" to Yerevan. Ohanyan was speaking at in interview to Public Television on 28 June.


"We will be able to use Russia's capacities along with Armenian Armed Forces," he said, adding that Russian military potential involved in Armenian air defence will include 4th generation multifunctional fighters, S-300 anti-missile systems and other state-of-the-art radar equipment.


Answering a question on the command structure of the joint defence system in Armenia, Ohanyan said Armenia will conduct its own operations in its airspace.


"In peace time and in military actions, the planning and use of the Armenian forces in the joint air defence space will be done by the Armenian Armed Forces Air Defence and Air Forces command," he said.

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