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Armenia trading in illegal arms is main unstable place in South Caucasus

08 October 2007 16:40 (UTC +04:00)

This fact proves that Armenia does not observe UN principles on transparency in military sector and is a threat source for the region. Experts preparing annual report on cooperation in military-technical field stressed Armenia conceals its exporting combat aircrafts-X-25 ML and X-29 L from Slovakia. Official Bratislava stated in 2005 that these missile launchers were exported to Armenia, Yerevan refuses to publicize import and export of missile. It should be noted that this is not the first fact on military-technical cooperation between the two countries. Armenia exported 10 missile launchers from Slovakia unofficially late in 2005. The exported launchers are planes SU-27 and SU-25 and MI-24-military transport helicopter. But official Yerevan refused to publicize details on the export of this aircraft that time. Moreover, there are a lot of factors which show that Armenia bought military technology, firearms for strengthening its army officially and unofficially.
Some know that there is military-technical cooperation between Armenia and Russia. This cooperation is regulated through agreement on â€œFriendship, cooperation and mutual defenseâ€ concluded on August 27, 1997. Russia exported firearms â€“ 9,5 thousand missile launchers, 72 battle tanks, 600 wagon military supplies to Yerevan in 1993-1996. These arms were exported to Armenia illegally, without any agreement. Russia exported 21,314 military equipments, 64 thousand ton fuel, 15,977 combat vehicles, 41,003 meter cable to Armenia and it is also illegal. 660 flights were carried out for delivering 130 thousand ton military supplies by IL-76 and AN-12 planes to Yerevan through Mozdok aerodrome.
The International Institute for Strategic Studies reports Armenia did not state that it bought 8 P-17 missile launchers from Russia in 2006 and mortars and 32 missiles.
Armenia also concealed fact that it exported 273 mm â€œWM-80â€ reactive attack systems from China. It is also revealed that China exported missile launcher â€œTayfunâ€ illegally to Armenia in 1999.
Armenia also cooperated with Serbia in military field. The company of Serbia qualified in Defense Industry - â€œZastavaâ€ concluded $1,750 million-agreement with Armenia on the sale of weapons in early 2007. This company is negotiating with Armenia for concluding $900 thousand agreement. New military enterprise â€œDG Arms Corporationâ€ was commissioned in Abovyan city of Armenia in September, 2007.
This enterprise will produce 100 million bullets in a year and it plans to sell its products to Serbia. Armenia implementing illegal military projects for the provision of Armed Forces violates defined balance of agreement on Conventional Arms in Europe. And it is threat for the solution of Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict and stability in South Caucasus. /APA/