Perspectives for Armenia’s Arms Production
Arms production has become the most discussed topic throughout the last month. Everybody expressed his/her opinion, from NAS RA head to MPs. Even MPs, who didn’t ever relate with military science. Everybody speaks of arms production. With the exception of armorers and former chief engineers of military industrial complex. And it’s quite clear. As arms specialists have never spoken in public, and the topic has always been closed for the press.
The only publication was recorded in “Fourth power” newspaper years ago. A fact has been published, that RA Ministry of Defense purchased trucks from Russia by very high price. No official publication followed it. High-ranking military officials in individual talks with reporters “were explaining,” that military purchase is never openly and totally published. And the society knew nothing of armaments of local production on official level. In mid-90s upon decision of RA Government a military-industrial complex has been developed, but it wasn’t clear which industrial enterprises have been involved in that complex and what kind of production it was. Simply it was officially stated that Armenia was involved in the so-called “James catalogue” by one type of arms production. If I’m not mistaken, even the photo was published.
Military and political leadership considered arms production topic urgent after the 1994 ceasefire. There were publications that assault rifle and 5.45 mm sniper rifle have been produced. [Moreover, it was being stated that both types had potential buyers]. Besides them, antipersonnel simple mines and other types have been produced. Then everything became more secret an incomprehensible. Even following the ceasefire, 4-5 years later, funds from the country’s military budget have been allocated neither for arms production nor for repairs for a year. Meanwhile, any person more or less dealing with military science, knows that any type has planned repair standards, after which that type may be used again.
It was published during the April war days, that the helicopter was destroyed by RPG7. From University lectures I memorize that a grenade is calculated for 50 shootings. Then it is subject to renewal, after which it may be used for 30-50 shootings. Many Soviet Armenian enterprises were a part of the USSR military-industrial system. In these very enterprises some armaments were being produces in the 90s and their standard possible repairs were being implemented. It was also known that Yerevan milling machines plant was one of the enterprises of Armenia’s military-industrial system, which was privatized in early 2000s. Presently one of the capital’s biggest supermarkets is located in the territory of that plant. Or prospering, if you wish.
Currently the issue of available or non-available possibility of arms production has become a topic for discussions in the political field and social networks. Radik Maritosyan, head of NAS RA, assuredly, is among the well-aware specialists. Thus, his harsh assessment, that “Any shabby country can’t enter armaments market,” sounded rather coarse. It was difficult to understand, whether the academician was excluding the possibility of producing and selling armaments, or generally, its production. Politicians reflected rather strangely and unexpectedly, touching upon nuclear weapons. Many figures in the West took it rather seriously, or at least pretended so. One thing is obvious—engineer armorers don’t participate in these discussions. And it’s not clear: are we able to produce armaments or not? We don’t know either: are we able to repair types of armaments or no? Temptation is rather big to again cover the field with secrecy veil and even not to launch specialized discussions. It’s even hard to imagine easier work than thinking of grounds for not acting. These very authorities introduced the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) with pride a few years ago. Accordingly, there are people among them, who consider Armenia’s arms production has future.
By Ara Galoyan
