Armenia Azerbaijan Conflict

[Roman Alymov]

Russian take on this Armenia events

[AttilaA]

Hermes 900 in Azerbaijani service.

 

 

And Heron:

 

http://www.janes.com/article/75519/azeri-heron-uavs-seen-at-new-base

Edited April 30, 2018 by AttilaA

[AttilaA]

 

 

While only one aircraft was shown, the reports suggested that as many as 15 had been bought with deliveries to take place over the coming years.

 

http://www.janes.com/article/79686/azerbaijan-shows-hermes-900

 

Hermes 900 that was shown carries SkEye WASP, EMERALD AES-212 ELINT and DCoMPASS EO system.

 

http://elbitsystems.com/pr-new/4635/

 

[BansheeOne]

May 8, 2018 / 10:45 AM / Updated 12 minutes ago

 

Revolution sweeps Armenian opposition leader into power

Margarita Antidze, Hasmik Mkrtchyan

YEREVAN (Reuters) - Opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan was elected Armenia’s prime minister on Tuesday, capping a peaceful revolution driven by weeks of mass protests against corruption and cronyism in the ex-Soviet republic.

 

Moscow, which has a military base in Armenia, is wary of an uncontrolled change of power which would pull the country out of its orbit, but Pashinyan has offered assurances that he will not break with the Kremlin.

 

The election of Pashinyan, a former newspaper editor who spent time in prison for fomenting unrest, marks a dramatic rupture with the cadre of rulers who have run Armenia since the late 1990s.

 

Pashinyan, born in 1975, spearheaded a protest movement that first forced veteran leader Serzh Sarksyan to step down as prime minister and then pressured the ruling party to abandon attempts to block his election as prime minister, the country’s most powerful post.

 

In a vote in parliament on Tuesday, 59 lawmakers backed Pashinyan’s candidacy, including some from the ruling Republican Party, with 42 voting against.

 

[...]

 

Pashinyan’s protest movement was sparked when Sarksyan, barred by the constitution from seeking another term as president, became prime minister instead. Many Armenians saw that as a cynical ploy by Sarskyan to extend his hold on power.

 

In a speech to parliament moments before the vote, Pashinyan called on Armenia’s people to come together behind the new government he will lead. “The page of hatred should be turned,” he said, adding: “May God help us.”

 

NEW SCRIPT

 

Armenia is a country of about three million people nestled in mountains between Iran, Turkey, Georgia and Azerbaijan.

 

Since it emerged as an independent state after the collapse of the Soviet Union, Armenia, a majority Christian country, has been locked in a territorial conflict with mainly-Muslim Azerbaijan, and under economic blockade from Turkey.

 

Its isolation led it to depend heavily on former colonial ruler Moscow. Russian President Vladimir Putin has in the past resisted popular revolts in ex-Soviet states, particular in Georgia and Ukraine, viewing them as a ploy by Washington to encroach on Moscow’s sphere of influence.

 

But throughout Armenia’s wave of protests, Moscow has remained publicly neutral, and Pashinyan has consistently said he viewed Moscow as a vital ally.

 

He said on Tuesday Armenia would stay in a regional collective security organization headed by Russia and that he hoped for a meeting with Putin.

 

“Both sides in Moscow and Yerevan have learned a new script,” said Thomas de Waal, a specialist on the region with Carnegie Europe, a think tank.

 

“Russian officials have insisted that they respect Armenians’ right to peaceful change,” he said. “For his part, Pashinyan and his fellow protest leaders told their supporters to avoid anti-Russian or pro-EU slogans.”

 

HOLDOVERS

 

Pashinynan faces tough challenges. The civil service and security apparatus are dominated by allies of his ousted predecessor.

 

He has said his first step will be to hold an early parliamentary election. In the meantime, he said he would carry out root-and-branch reforms to cut out graft and cronyism.

 

He said he would fire some holdovers from the ruling elite, among them the defense minister, but said there would be no “pogrom.”

 

He must also reckon with a parliament where the Republican Party, allied to Sarskyan, holds a majority of seats and is skeptical about his revolution.

 

Vahram Baghdasaryan, head of the Republican Party in parliament, said for the sake of unity it was backing Pashinyan for prime minister but it had concerns about his fitness to run the country.

 

“I hope we are mistaken,” said Baghdasaryan, an ally of Sarskyan.

 

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-armenia-politics/revolution-sweeps-armenian-opposition-leader-into-power-idUSKBN1I90UD

[Roman Alymov]

According to Armenian "Armed forces" TV program, Armenia to recieve BUK-M2 short-range AD SAMs

Air defence part from 20:22

Edited May 21, 2018 by Roman Alymov

[GARGEAN]

Except Buk is not SHORAD by any means even in base variant, not talking about M2.

Edited May 21, 2018 by GARGEAN

[Roman Alymov]

Except Buk is not SHORAD by any means even in base variant, not talking about M2.

If compared to S-400 it is short range

[AttilaA]

You mean TOR-M2(E)

 

I wonder how many they are buying. It's apparently being purchased as part of the new $100 million loan, which includes 3 different contracts including TOR-M2 . Doesn't sound alot.

Edited May 21, 2018 by AttilaA

[Roman Alymov]

You mean TOR-M2(E)

 

I wonder how many they are buying. It's apparently being purchased as part of the new $100 million loan, which includes 3 different contracts including TOR-M2 . Doesn't sound alot.

They do not need alot as they are not in danger of being attacked by superpower.

[AttilaA]

We are talking about a SHORAD system (no, not Buk).

 

Armenia is not a superpower yet Azerbaijan has invested billions in air defence. You can't tell me they are going to provide substantial capabilities. Same with Iskander for example, good for parades I suppose.

Edited May 21, 2018 by AttilaA

[Roman Alymov]

We are talking about a SHORAD system (no, not Buk).

 

Armenia is not a superpower yet Azerbaijan has invested billions in air defence. You can't tell me they are going to provide substantial capabilities. Same with Iskander for example, good for parades I suppose.

Azerbaijan is in another situation (since in case of major conflict with Armenia they will also be in trouble with Russia, not Armenia alone)

[Panzermann]

 

We are talking about a SHORAD system (no, not Buk).

 

Armenia is not a superpower yet Azerbaijan has invested billions in air defence. You can't tell me they are going to provide substantial capabilities. Same with Iskander for example, good for parades I suppose.

Azerbaijan is in another situation (since in case of major conflict with Armenia they will also be in trouble with Russia, not Armenia alone)

 

 

They also have oil and gas and can throw money around for fancy weapons and even better greased arms deals.

[AttilaA]

Nevermind, I'm just going to repeat myself.

Edited May 22, 2018 by AttilaA

[AttilaA]

Spike-ER and Spear Mk2 on Plasan SandCat.

Edited June 13, 2018 by AttilaA

[AttilaA]

Azerbaijan demonstrated the LORA ballistic missile and Polonez guided MRL for the first time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[AttilaA]

Day and night time firings of Spike-ER.

 

 

[AttilaA]

Azerbaijan parades SOM cruise missile

 

http://www.janes.com/article/81408/azerbaijan-parades-som-cruise-missile

[AttilaA]

Barak-8 ER, new version of Barak-8 with 150 km max range, was revealed for the first time at the military parade held on 26 June.

 

 

I actually learned about it two days before on 24 June after the rehearsal. The serviceman of Barak-8 told me that the middle one has a 150 km range. The other two is 70 km range Barak-8 LR.

 

 

[bojan]

Azerbaijan parades SOM cruise missile

 

http://www.janes.com/article/81408/azerbaijan-parades-som-cruise-missile

What is a platform for launching it?

[AttilaA]

It's not know yet but editor of a Turkish military magazine on twitter wrote that SOM was test fired from an Azerbaijani Mig-29 during a joint exercise.

 

Azerbaijani defence minister also talked about Su-25 modernization project by a Turkish company.

 

So both may be candidates.

 

Btw, Mi-17s are now armed with Spike NLOS in addition to LAHAT.

[Panzermann]

they are really filling their arsenals despite OSCE arms embargo since 1992 for both quarrelers.


During the Eurosatory 2018 Rheinmetall and Azerbaidjan signed a letter of intent for "bilateral cooperation", German magazine Stern reports. https://www.stern.de/politik/deutschland/rheinmetall-bahnt-geschaefte-mit-aserbaidschan-an-8142486.html

[AttilaA]

Apparently Barak-8 ER has some BMD capabilities as well, against tactical ballistic missiles.

 

"BARAK ER, with a dual pulse rocket motor and an additional booster for ranges up to 150 km and enhanced TBM capabilities"

 

http://www.iai.co.il/2013/37417-48920-en/Barak%20MX.aspx

 

Barak-8 ER and Barak-8 LR launchers comparison.

 

 

[AttilaA]

they are really filling their arsenals despite OSCE arms embargo since 1992 for both quarrelers.

 

 

During the Eurosatory 2018 Rheinmetall and Azerbaidjan signed a letter of intent for "bilateral cooperation", German magazine Stern reports. https://www.stern.de/politik/deutschland/rheinmetall-bahnt-geschaefte-mit-aserbaidschan-an-8142486.html

 

Apparently France has now granted its defence industry firms permission for sales to Azerbaijan.

 

http://az.azeridefence.com/fransa-herbi-sirketlerine-azerbaycana-satis-icazesi-verib-ozel/

[AttilaA]

Azerbaijan announces only "more than 300 km" max range for LORA but in reality it's 430 km, covering entire Armenia from any point in Azerbaijan, and also most of Georgia, Russia's North Caucasus and North-Western Iran.

 

See this, clearly written "maksimal atış uzaqlığı, km - 430 km". CEP is 10 m at all ranges with GPS/INS guidance.

 

Edited July 10, 2018 by AttilaA

[AttilaA]

Max range of Polonez is described as "up to 300 km". See this: https://www.armyrecognition.com/weapons_defence_industry_military_technology_uk/belarus_tests_upgraded_version_of_polonez_mlrs_rocket_launcher.html

 

Apparently Belarus has developed a new guidance system for Polonez with less CEP achieved in tests. The original Chinese rocket has "less than 30 m" CEP reported.

 

Also pay attention to the wording above: "more than 300 km" vs "up to 300 km", clearly a difference here.

 

Azerbaijani Army describes Polonez as not an MRL, but a "missile system". Not incorrect IMO. 300 km, two stage, able to maneuver in flight.