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Day: April 17, 2024
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Armenia weapons production
“Several models of domestically manufactured weapons and control systems have successfully passed internal testing in Armenia. They will soon be available for use within the Armenian Armed Forces,” stated minister of High-Tech Industry Mkhitar Hayrapetyan.
He also disclosed that 25 organizations in the military industry sector have already received orders from the Ministry of Defense.
Armenia has the capability to manufacture certain types of weapons, including unmanned aerial vehicles, according to military expert Leonid Nersisyan:
“When discussing American UAVs, achieving such quality might be challenging in Armenia. However, producing UAVs of moderate quality is entirely feasible. Armenia possesses the potential for it, with at least three to four manufacturers capable of producing such quality products.”
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The Ministry of Defense has already submitted orders to manufacturers
“The Ministry of Defense has already awarded contracts to 25 organizations in the military-industrial sector,” announced minister of High-Tech Industry Mkhitar Hayrapetyan.
“At present, the Ministry of Defense has allocated Armenian companies orders totaling 122 billion drams [approximately $305 million]. By the end of the year, we anticipate the total value of contracts to reach 191 billion drams [around $497.5 million],” Hayrapetyan added.
Hayrapetyan emphasized that the military-industrial complex is a top priority, both for his ministry and the government as a whole. He mentioned holding meetings with representatives from all companies in the sector to discuss existing challenges. Additionally, a decision has been made to expand the functions of the Military Industry Committee.
“The Committee is now tasked with financing the development of prototypes, procurement, storage, and production of components and parts. It also has the authority to certify the technical specifications of domestically demanded products for export purposes,” he clarified.
The Defense Industry Committee operates under the Ministry of High-Tech Industry. It formulates long-term, medium-term, and short-term state support programs for defense industry entities and places orders to meet military needs.
Hayrapetyan stressed that the Committee’s objective is to create an environment conducive to making the defense industry attractive to industry players in terms of both scientific research and business opportunities.
Commentary
The allocation of funds for the mass production of tested weapon prototypes has been explained by Leonid Nersisyan, a senior research fellow at the APRI Armenia analytical center and military expert.
Nersisyan pondered whether local companies would be capable of meeting these production demands. He stated that if the decision has been made, industry leaders believe that the majority of orders can be fulfilled. Armenia possesses the potential to manufacture weaponry of sufficient quality, Nersisyan emphasized:
“When comparing to Russian reconnaissance UAVs like the ‘Orlan-10,’ it seems to me that we can produce locally made drones of a higher quality.”
Nersisyan believes it unnecessary to disclose detailed information regarding the specific types of weaponry mentioned by the minister or the quantity of arms ordered.
When asked whether the weaponry in question is offensive or defensive in nature, Nersisyan responded:
“For instance, are anti-tank missiles considered offensive or defensive weapons? They can be utilized both in attack and defense. The same applies to other types of weaponry.”
“It is well known that despite the French side having played the role of a mediator for nearly 25 years due to Azerbaijan’s consent, the country has taken open and explicit anti-Azerbaijani actions following the 2020 Patriotic War,” a spokesperson for Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Aykhan Hajizada said in response to an inquiry from local media regarding the recall of French Ambassador, according to Azerbaijan in Focus, reporting AzerTac.
“Notwithstanding France’s accusation against Azerbaijan of unilateral actions, our country’s steps and official statements towards France have only been in response to this country’s destructive activities. Despite the smear campaign against our country, dialogue channels have always been kept open on our side.
In particular, France’s actions over the past three and a half years have seriously put under question the efforts to normalize relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia based on sovereignty and territorial integrity and contributed to the escalation of the situation.
France’s initiatives against Azerbaijan in documents and resolutions at the UN Security Council, the European Union, the Francophonie, and other international platforms have proven that this country’s claims of being a neutral mediator are completely unfounded.
We also would like to recall the adoption of decisions and resolutions by the French Parliament solely based on initiatives of the ruling party’s representatives, where numerous unfounded accusations, insults, and threats have been made against our country, that questioned and undermined Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, and recognized the former puppet regime.
During this period, the attacks against our Embassy and damage caused to the Embassy premises as a result of the Azerbaijanophobic environment existing in France, and lastly, vandalism acts against the bust of the 19th-century Azerbaijani poetess Khurshidbanu Natavan, and the failure of the government to take measures against such actions are part of France’s anti-Azerbaijani campaign.
At the same time, accusations against Azerbaijan for taking unilateral actions are completely unfounded, bearing in mind actions by France targeting Azerbaijan’s presidency of the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.
At the same time, it is clear as day that the actions of France, which is extensively arming Armenia and promoting militarism in the region, do not serve peace.
The Azerbaijani side has repeatedly stated to France that speaking in a language of threat and pressure will not bring any results, and once again declares that it will take all necessary measures to protect its national interests,” Hajizada added.
The post MFA: France’s accusation against Azerbaijan of unilateral actions are unfounded appeared first on Azerbaijan In Focus.
