United Air Defense System Provides New Opportunities
United regional air defense system is consolidation of Armenia’s and Russia’s air defense forces and means, purpose of which is provision of state border protection of the sides, control of air space usage, informing on possible air and rocket attack, as well as, implementing joint operations of air defense forces in case of aerospace attacks.
Establishment of united system, first and foremost, comes from the interest of Armenia’s security provision, as it provides the opportunity to fully make use of Russia’s defense potential, at the same time preventing some regional challenges.
The idea of united air defense system generated yet in the 1990s. An agreement was concluded between the CIS member countries in 1995 in Almaty, by which CIS united air defense system was established. Currently, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan are a part of that system. In 2000 another accord was signed, pursuant which up to day joint military duty is being implemented in the territory of Armenia, where air defense subdivisions of both RA Armed Forces and RF 102nd military base forces and means, including the destructive aviation are engaged. Involved Armenian subdivisions were headed by RA Armed Forces air defense troops, Russian subdivisions were commanded by RF South Caucasus Military District. Regarding promptness this was bringing forward some issues, as well as the necessity of developing a common system under one united command.
Immediate operations on establishment of air defense in the Caucasus region were launched in 2009. 2009-2013 was the phase of active works on development of the document, during which the document was amended a few times. The agreement regulates bilateral relations, however, upon the agreement in case of violation of airspace of one of the countries it’ll function within CIS and CSTO as well.
According to the document, Armenia will become a separate air defense region in the Caucasus region, and functions of direct management by the Southern District will be redistributed, then implemented by Armenia’s air defense troops, which will be the most crucial feature of the military duty. The agreement presupposes use of air defense means only out of defensive considerations. At the same time, if in 1995 air defense system of CIS member states was planned for performance of the task while in peace, then united regional air defense system in the Caucasian collective security region is planned to settle wartime issues as well. In case of any infringement all forces and means located in the territory of the Republic are meant to neutralize the emerged threat.
The new agreement provides the opportunity to use air defense forces and means of the Southern Military District as well. Prior to that they had a clear issue to act in the territory of Russia.
Thus, according to the agreement, if necessary, united air defense system will provide the opportunity to apply not only 4th generation multi-purpose Mig-29 fighter aircraft, U-300 zenith rocket system, but also all contemporary means and armaments of air and missile defense of destructive aviation of 102nd base, available in the arsenal of RF Armed Forces and aerospace troops. It’s planned that radar intelligence capabilities will be extended as well, space intelligence resources will be involved, and the Armenian side will have the opportunity to make use of data obtained from RF Armed Forces aerospace means. United information field will be established, which will allow to beware of the aggression by the adversary beforehand. These events are planned to raise the immunity degree of RF and RA airspace.
Thus, reliability of air defense system covering the Caucasian region is being strengthened, that original “umbrella” is being strengthened, which is meant to protect it from air attacks. Moreover, in case of military operations in the territory of the Republic of Armenia decisions on management of air defense forces and means will be adopted by the Armenian side, which is a serious acquisition for Armenia.
By Vardan Avetisyan
