France Reveals Supply of Defensive Armaments to Armenia

25 Oct, 2023

France Reveals Supply of Defensive Armaments to Armenia

France has announced a deal to supply radar systems and air defense equipment to Armenia, raising concerns in Yerevan over potential aggression from Azerbaijan. The agreement comes in the wake of Baku's seizure of Nagorno-Karabakh from Armenian separatists.

French Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu confirmed that Armenia would purchase three Ground Master 200 (GM200) radar systems from the French defense group Thales. While financial details were not disclosed, Lecornu emphasized the "remarkable detection capabilities" of the GM200 system, which is already in use in Ukraine.

Lecornu and Armenian Defence Minister Suren Papikyan also signed a letter of intent for the acquisition of air defense systems from Thales and European missile maker MBDA. The reference was made to "Mistral-type" equipment, indicating a short-range air defense missile system.

Lecornu emphasized that detection systems are most effective when coupled with intervention and interception capabilities to address aerial threats. He clarified that the Armenian ministry would be responsible for obtaining export licenses for the purchased weapons, highlighting their defensive nature. He expressed, "This weapon system is inherently designed for use only when there is an act of aggression on Armenian soil, often in proximity to civilian populations."

Additionally, Armenia signed a contract to procure night-vision goggles from the French group Safran.

The Armenian defense ministry stated that discussions between the ministers encompassed defense-related matters, and both countries signed documents pertaining to bilateral cooperation.

Earlier in October, French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna announced that France would deliver military equipment to Armenia. In response, Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev declined to meet with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan for talks in Spain, criticizing what he termed as France's "militarization" policy in the South Caucasus.

France, with a substantial Armenian diaspora, has been involved in mediating a long-standing territorial dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan. On the same day, Azerbaijan initiated joint military exercises with its ally Turkey near the border with Armenia.