Radio Free Europe, Czech Republic
Aug 25 2004

Armenian, Russian Troops Begin Joint Maneuvers

By Hrach Melkumian 25/08/2004 09:37

Underscoring their close defense ties, Armenia and Russia began on
Tuesday regular joint military exercises near Yerevan involving
hundreds of troops, military hardware and air force.

Officials said elements of Armenia’s Fifth Army Corps and the Russian
military base stationed in the country will practice military
operations and try to improve their interoperability during the
three-day maneuvers.
They said the troops will fire live rounds from light and heavy
weapons, including tanks and helicopter gunships.

`We are strategic partners and have a cooperation plan for 2004
singed by our defense ministers. The holding of such events is part
of it,’ Colonel-General Mikael Harutiunian, chief of staff of the
Armenian armed forces, told RFE/RL.

`We have held such joint exercises for the last several years,’ he
said. `They are not directed against any other third country. Their
aim is to improve the combat readiness and cooperation of the
Armenian Armed Forces and 102nd Russian military base.’

The military alliance with Russia is a key component of Armenia’s
national security doctrine which sees a military threat from
neighboring Turkey. Russia has been the main source of external arms
supplies and training for the Armenian military for over a decade.

Harutiunian added that Armenia stands ready to hold similar exercises
with `other countries,’ apparently alluding to Yerevan’s growing
participation in NATO’s Partnership for Peace (PfP) program. Armenia
hosted a first-ever NATO-led exercise on its soil in June 2002 and
intends to take part in similar drills to be held in Azerbaijan next
month.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress