“Russia contributes to strengthening of Azerbaijan’s military privilege”
In parallel with Nalbandian-Lavrov-Mammadyarov meeting, organizational work on new batch of Russian armaments and contemporary military equipment was provided to Azerbaijan on April 26, which Russia supplied in the framework of the agreements on military cooperation signed in 2003.
Azerbaijan doesn’t provide details on the type of the equipment. However, it became known that BTR-82A armored personnel carriers were provided. Based on the statement issued by Azerbaijani foreign ministry, alongside with armaments and military equipment, Russian specialists have arrived, who will teach their Azerbaijani colleagues how to use them.
Note, Russia-Azerbaijan deep military cooperation launched in the 2000s and up to date the biggest deal was concluded in 2010 within which Baku purchased armaments and military equipment amounting around USD 4 billion, from which: 100 units of T90C tanks, a few dozens of “Smerch” and “Solntsepyok” missile systems, despite discontent of Armenian authorities expressed on a high level. Alongside with other reflections days after the April War Armenia’s president passed on discontent of the Armenian side to PM Medvedev,
“I’m confident you know the fact, that Azerbaijanis used the weapons purchased recently by Russia, had a wide reflection. It’s clear, as on democratic level in Armenia Russia is considered a close ally and friend.” In response to this discontent of the Armenian side Dmitry Rogozin, Deputy PM, responsible for coordination of production and sales of Russian weaponry, replying to reporters’ question on how he’d comment statement of the Armenia’s president on selling arms to Azerbaijan, said,
“Everything is provided pursuant the agreement. Both sides are our strategic partners and Russia will continue cooperation with Azerbaijan in the field. ”In their turn, Russian military experts, justifying Russia-led policy of selling arms to the parties to the conflict, insist, that Russia attempts to keep power balance between Armenia and Azerbaijan by supplying both countries respective arms and ammunition.
Russian military analyst Pavel Felgenhauer told “168 Hours” that the Russian side keeps balance and today Armenia doesn’t even exceed Azerbaijan in that issue. According to him Armenia is ahead of Azerbaijan first and foremost, by the level of readiness of soldiers, secondly—by offensive weapons.
“After the April War “Iskander” systems provided to Armenia were demonstrated, which are the most powerful arms and may target Baku if necessary. However, prior to it they have powerful restrictive importance, in case of its presence Azerbaijan won’t dare to go further regarding military operations by satisfying itself with provocations or local clashes. By the way, this supply rather bothered Azerbaijan, it even intended to target and destroy them, even there were statements on it,” Felgenahuer said.
According to the latter Armenia’s concerns are clear, however, Russia won’t accept them, as from Russian perspective nothing unfair goes on. “Equipment is sold to Azerbaijan, it’s sold to Armenia as well, if Russia doesn’t sell, it’ll do a third country and it’ll become a more uncontrollable process,” the analyst said.
However, European military analysts covering the region, don’t share this view.
Dr. Tracey German, military analyst, Deputy Dean of Academic Studies (Research) at the Defense Studies Department of King’s College (London), “168 Hours” said if armaments equal to those provided to Armenia are supplied to Azerbaijan , why the Armenian side did concessions during military operations.
According to her, allegations that Azerbaijan had a privilege only regarding the weaponry purchased from Israel also don’t correspond to the reality, as different-dimension weaponry is provided to Azerbaijan and Armenia, “Let me remind what Armenia’s president Serzh Sargsyan said during the war days in Berlin. He stated that the Armenian side protected itself by the weapons of the 1990s, which, basically means that Russia provides outdated military equipment with low prices, and contemporary weapons to Azerbaijan with global prices, which currently is Azerbaijan’s main factor of defensiveness. In fact, Russia contributes to strengthening of Azerbaijan’s military privilege,” Tracey German said adding that the military field supposes secrecy, that’s why it’s difficult to analyze many details, however, facts show that Azerbaijan’s current military privilege is conditioned by that.
According to the European analyst if the Russian side pursues the policy of balancing, why after the April War it attempted to restore the gap, touched upon by experts, providing “Iskander” missile systems and bringing in new initiatives.
“The conflicting countries face the threat of military operations and that policy of balance would surely be visible during the April War operations. And in the stage following it Russia’s steps were targeted at neutralization of discontent of the Armenian society, which I don’t consider served its purpose, as supply of contemporary armaments to Azerbaijan continues. And respective officials know what is supplied to Armenia, who may pass on to actions from statements,” German said.
In her words Armenia is a valuable partner for Russia and that factor may be used. According to the analyst Armenia may use CSTO platform, bilateral relations, diplomatic tubes to send a note and demand clarifications. “However, such steps aren’t taken and Russia proceeds with arms sales considering that likewise state of affairs is beneficial to Armenia. Maybe it’s so, I can’t say,” she said.
By Araks Martirosyan
