Russia-based sources claim that Armenia hands over most of its air defence systems, including S-300, to Ukraine to provide extra defence in its war against Russia.
Russia-based sources claim that Armenia hands over most of its air defence systems, including S-300, to Ukraine to provide extra defence in its war against Russia.
Armenian-Russian relations have been worsened since the 44-day Second Karabagh war between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Russia failed to support Armenia; in return, Armenia decided to diversify its weapon system, reducing its dependency on Russian ones.
It is claimed that Armenia transfers some of its Russian-made weapons and ammunition to Ukraine as it receives new ones from France and India. France and Armenia have signed several military and defence cooperation agreements.
Armenia is eager to acquire the Mistral man-portable air defence system (MANPADS), CAESAR self-propelled howitzers, and Thales-made radar systems. France also wants to sell Armenia long-range air defence systems SAMP/T. The new claim has more strategic meaning than transferring tactical weapons. A Russian social media account, Fighterbomber, run by Ilya Tumanov, a Russian propagandist,
Armenia provides S-300 long-range surface-to-air missile systems, 9K37 Buk medium-range surface-to-air missile systems, 9K330 Tor low-to medium-altitude, short-range surface-to-air missile system and 9K33 Osa low-altitude, short-range tactical surface-to-air missiles. In addition, It is suggested that Armenia sends OTR-21 Tochka short-range tactical ballistic missiles with conventional fragmentation or cluster munition warheads.
These transfer claims have been neither denied nor confirmed by Armenia. On the other hand, the Ukrainian publication Kyiv Post, which handled the claim, reminded readers about another rumour between the European Commission and Armenia. The publication indicated that Armenia allegedly signed a contract with the EU worth $232 million to supply Soviet-era 152mm artillery, tank ammunition, and air defence systems to Kyiv.
It is stated that such transfer occurs via Georgian ports to Ukraine. Under normal conditions, transferring such systems and missiles to another country requires the approval of the manufacturer country.
The transfer without consent is considered a breach of contract as the agreement is only valid for the end user country. The consequences of such an action are unknown, and it might also set an example for other countries with similar Russian systems in the inventory. Turkiye is one of them, as it owns the S-400 Triumf air defence system.
The U.S. argues that Turkiye must find a solution that satisfies security demands to improve defence relations concerning F-35 acquisition. It is negotiated that U.S. such demands may lead to the transfer of such systems to Azerbaijan, Qatar, or even Ukraine.
