Armenia details new arms deal with France

Under the terms of the latest arms deal between France and Armenia, France will supply 36 CAESAR self-propelled howitzers to Armenia over the next 15 months, a senior official in Yerevan confirmed on June 25.

The Armenian Defense Ministry and the French artillery manufacturer signed the contract during talks held by the two countries’ defense ministers in Paris on June 17. French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu described it as a “new milestone” in Franco-Armenian military relations. No details of the contract were officially announced at the time.

A day later, on June 18, the French newspaper Le Figaro and the defense news website Forces Operations Blog reported that Armenia had purchased 36 CAESARs and that they would be delivered within 15 months.

“Of course, Le Figaro's report is based on information provided by the French Defense Ministry. We certainly will not deny it,” Armen Khachatrian, deputy chairman of the Armenian parliament's defense and security committee, told RFE/RL's Armenian branch.

With a range of over 40 km, CAESAR is one of the most advanced artillery systems in the world. France, together with Denmark, has sent Ukraine around 50 such 155 mm wheeled self-propelled artillery systems since Russia launched its military campaign in the Eastern European country in 2022.

Earlier this year, Kiev bought six more French guns for 3-4 million euros ($3.3-4.4 million) each.

“They have proven their effectiveness in various combat situations in many parts of the world,” Khachatrian said. “France has sold these artillery systems to very few countries… It is very important for us to have such systems to achieve our defense objectives.”

The lawmaker described the purchase of advanced Western guns like the CAESAR as “part of” the ongoing “complete modernization” of Armenia’s armed forces. Read more about the CAESAR self-propelled guns in action in Ukraine here.

CAESAR self-propelled artillery system mounted on a French-made truck. Photo: Army Recognition

Last fall, Paris pledged to sell defense weapons and provide other military assistance to Yerevan, part of an effort to deepen bilateral ties that have been bolstered by the presence of an influential Armenian diaspora in France. French weapons include sophisticated radars, short-range air defense systems and armored personnel carriers.

Azerbaijan condemned the deal as “another example of French provocation in the South Caucasus” that would create a new “flashpoint” of conflict in the region. The deal also drew criticism from Russia, a traditional ally of Armenia. The Russian Foreign Ministry said the move would increase tensions in the South Caucasus.

Mr Khachatrian dismissed Russia’s criticism as “incomprehensible”, saying Moscow was currently unable to help Armenia “strengthen its defence capabilities”.

Russia has long been Armenia’s main supplier of weapons and ammunition. Tensions between the two countries have steadily increased since the 2020 war over Nagorno-Karabakh, with Yerevan accusing Moscow of failing to honor its security commitments.

The South Caucasus country is also looking for other arms suppliers as the ongoing war in Ukraine consumes much of Russia’s military resources. Since September 2022, Armenia has reportedly signed a series of defense contracts with India worth hundreds of millions of dollars.

Minh Duc (According to RFE/RL)

Source: https://www.nguoiduatin.vn/armenia-thong-tin-chi-tiet-ve-thoa-thuan-vu-khi-moi-voi-phap-a670816.html