Yerevan: Armenia has appealed to Azerbaijan to implement arms control measures to reduce tensions between the two countries. On Monday, Armenia’s Foreign Ministry Press Secretary Anne Badalian said in a statement that we have repeatedly made proposals but Azerbaijan is avoiding discussion, that is why this issue is not being resolved. In fact, there has been tension between Armenia and Azerbaijan for the last several years. Amidst the tension, both the countries are busy increasing their weapons. In this arms race, Armenia is getting help from France and India while Azerbaijan is getting arms from Pakistan and Türkiye.
According to the Eurasian Times report, Armenia has repeatedly offered Azerbaijan to create a mutual arms control mechanism. Azerbaijan has not responded to the resolution by making aggressive statements against Armenia. This statement from Armenia comes after comments by Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Aykhan Hajizade on October 5, who called Armenia’s arms accumulation dangerous.
Armenia and Azerbaijan are increasing weapons
Armenia and Azerbaijan have been at loggerheads for decades. Following the clashes, Azerbaijan launched a military offensive in 2020, starting the Second Karabakh War. He broke through the Armenian defenses and won after a 44-day battle. During this period, Azerbaijan gained control over seven districts and one-third of Karabakh.
Both Armenia and Azerbaijan have significantly increased their military spending since 2020. Armenia’s defense budget was $669 million in 2020, is set to increase to $678 million in 2021, and is budgeted for 2024 at $1.4 billion. Azerbaijan has also increased defense expenditure. The country’s military budget was $2.2 billion in 2020, which has been set at $3.7 billion for 2024.
Both countries are buying weapons
Armenia has strengthened defense ties with countries such as India, France, Greece and Cyprus. Azerbaijan, on the other hand, signed the Shushi Declaration with Turkey in 2021. Additionally, Azerbaijan has also signed military cooperation agreements with Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Serbia. Armenia has received many important weapons from France.
Apart from France, Armenia has intensified its military cooperation with India. India has emerged as a major supplier of arms for it. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), India delivered four Swati radars to Armenia in 2021, fulfilling an order in early 2020.
What is Armenia getting from India?
In September 2022, reports emerged that India would supply arms and ammunition worth $250 million to Armenia, including Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launchers, anti-tank weapons and other munitions. Further cooperation with India became evident in September 2023, when Armenia received six 155 mm Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) howitzers.
In November 2023, Eurasian Times had reported in its report that Armenia has signed a deal worth $41.5 million to buy the Jane anti-drone system developed in India. Operator training is also included as part of the deal. Armenia has also ordered the Indian-made Akash surface-to-air missile system. It is designed to protect vulnerable areas from air attacks.