Armenia gains access to US defence technologies

Armenia is expanding defence cooperation with the United States and has gained the opportunity to purchase US military technologies, its ambassador in Washington, Narek Mkrtchyan, said in an interview with Axios.

He said Yerevan was seeking to diversify its sources of weapons and reduce its dependence on a single partner. After decades of relying on Soviet-made equipment, Armenia has begun developing defence ties with France, India and other countries.

Mkrtchyan said a February visit to Armenia by US Vice President JD Vance gave fresh momentum to the process and was followed by reports of a possible deal to acquire V-BAT reconnaissance drones made by US company Shield AI.

“The door is now open. After decades, we have an opportunity to purchase defence technologies from the United States,” the ambassador said, adding that Armenia was obtaining various technologies from more than seven countries.

He said Armenia’s closer cooperation with the United States and the European Union was not directed against Russia, Iran, China or any other country.

Armenia is also interested in US small modular reactors and in joining the State Department’s Pax Silica initiative, which aims to develop US-led supply chains in artificial intelligence and semiconductor production.

N. Tebrizli