It remains to verify whether they are provided to the armed forces of Armenia or to 102nd Russian military base in Gyumri.
It has been two or three weeks since persistent rumors have circulated that “Iskander-M” complexes were brought to Armenia. So far there are no denials or approvals or, generally, a respond from the authorities of Armenia in connection with the said information.
In early June, the sources of the Ministry of Defense confirmed the information to the “Freedom” radio station about the fact that there are several complexes of medium-range attacking missile of “Iskander-M» type in the territory of Armenia. They are considered the most modern weapons, the range of “Iskander-M» complexes is over 400 kilometers.
On June 3, “Stratrisks” periodical wrote that the source of the Defense Ministry had noted that the location of “Iskander-M» complexes is a secret, and refused to clarify whether the missile complexes would be provided to Armenia’s armed forces or to the 102nd Russian military base in Gyumri.
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In fact, this is a very important question, because deployment of such systems in Armenia may become an opportunity of many different speculations, first from the West, and why not, from the neighboring state Georgia.
It is noteworthy to mention that “Stratrisks” periodical has stated that the Russian-Armenian defense agreement concluded in August of 2010 includes a provision according to which Moscow is planning to supply “a modern military equipment of special assignment” to Yerevan, and concluded, that, consequently, the Russian support was focused on modernizing five-years of the Armenian Army, which was adopted by Serzh Sargsyan in 2010.
Indeed, let us try to understand. Does Russia have the legal basis to take such a step …? It appears that it has and its base were laid a long three years ago. In 2010 Russia and Armenia extended the period of contract on deployment of Russian base until the year 2044. The protocol was signed in Yerevan in August 2010. The terms of the contract was for 25 years, the protocol extends it up to 49 years (starting from 1995). On June 2011, the President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev signed a decree on ratification of the protocol regarding the extension of the period for deployment of Russian military base in Armenia up to 2044. It’s worth to remind that the military base in Gyumri is included in the Southern Military District of Russia, and the Russian military base was significantly modernized.
Three years ago, a big noise was raised, and the issue was widely discussed as to why the terms of the contract for deployment of the Russian base should be extended until 2044. Different political opinions were voiced.
Yet, another interesting circumstance that deserved more attention was left out of attention during those days. The Russian side along with the extension of the terms on deployment of a military base provided for by the contract has made a clever move, providing bases for further “modernization”.
Here it is. The protocol adopted by RF and Armenia posted on the official website of the President of Russia on June 27, 2011, says the following that the Russian military base in the territory of Armenia, in addition to protecting the interests of Russia, provides the security of the Republic of Armenia together with the Armed Forces of Armenia: “For this purpose the
Russian side implements provision of modern and compatible arms and special defense technology”. Then it is stipulated by the protocol: “The provision of modern and compatible weaponry, military (special) equipment to armed forces of Armenia will be implemented in cooperation with foreign countries in compliance with the legislation on RF defense technology cooperation”.
Now the questions whether “Iskander-M» complexes were brought in or not, or why they are late, as the bases for bringing them into Armenia were laid three years ago. The only interesting question that remains open is this whether the “Iskander-M» complexes are provided to the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia, or to the 102nd Russian military base in Gyumri.
Emma GABRIELYAN
