The USA might improve Armenian combat readiness

After his working visit to the USA, the Defense Minister of Armenia, Seiran Oganyan, gave high appraisal to Armenian-American military cooperation and stated that Armenia intends to extend this cooperation within the existing programs. The military expert Vladimir Arakelyan answers VK questions on Armenian-American cooperation in this sphere.

- What directions does Armenian-American military cooperation have?

- The sides cooperate in the sphere of development and expert estimation of defense documents, including the National Security Strategy and the Military Doctrine. The other direction is training of staff. For example, the US incurred obligations to train noncommissioned officers. Furthermore, Armenia and the USA cooperate in peace-making projects. I mean peace-making operations in Kosovo, Iraq, Afghanistan.

- Is the cooperation effective?

- The main criterion of effectiveness is correlation of the cooperation with Armenia’s interests. Taking part in the military operation in Afghanistan, Armenia is responsible for all developments happening there, including recent murder of peaceful citizens. It is a negative phenomenon.

However, participation in peace-making operations gives certain experience; training of officers is provided. It is a positive aspect.

- How does the extension of Armenian-American military cooperation correlate with the Armenian-Russian one?

- An increase of the US influence on the Armed Forces of Armenia and improving of the US positions in the region could lead to tension of relations and conflicts with Russia and Iran. Such threat exists permanently, but it depends on the policy provided by the Armenian authorities. Cooperation aimed at improving combat readiness of the army doesn’t threat interests of third countries; there are no negative aspects. We have to find the best variant, but without compromising interests of our main ally – Russia. This is the basic formula of cooperation in the military sphere.

Interview by Susanna Petrosyan, Yerevan. Exclusively to VK