Although the deployment of Russian tactical missile systems Iskander in Armenia is in line with the international agreements between Moscow and Yerevan, there is no doubt that they are under full control of the Russian army, a political analyst, Candidate of Historical Sciences Oleg Kuznetsov said, speaking with a correspondent of Vestnik Kavkaza.
"Within the framework of the CSTO, the deployment of this kind of weapons on the territory of member countries under Russia’s control is allowed. At the same time, we should remember about the treaty on Conventional Arms in Europe, according to which, each such unit is internationally registered, and their total number on the territory of the European countries is strictly limited. Therefore, even a possibility to relocationg Iskander missile systems within the Russian Armed Forces, including the 102nd military base in Gyumri, is not possible," the expert stressed in the first place.
Sale or transfer of Iskander missile systems to Yerevan is even less likely. "I do not think that it is possible in principle, since such systems are not exported, and especially are not leased. The only thing is, if it is assumed that new Iskander missile systems really appeared in Armenia, it is linked with strengthening of the 102nd base. It is done in the framework of reorganization within the Southern Military Region," Oleg Kuznetsov stressed.
"I am more than sure that these missile systems are under control of the Russian troops. They are not aimed at the former Soviet states, but are moved closer to the theater of military operations against the Islamic State in order to stabilize the situation in the Middle East as a whole," he added.
The expert also pointed out that a new active PR of Iskander missile systems in Armenia is needed for the military-political leadership of the republic in order to stabilize its faltering power.
Iskander missile systems, shown at the military parade in Yerevan in honor of the 25th anniversary of Armenia's independence, belong to the 102nd Russian military base in Gyumri and were demonstrated as weapons of the Joint Group of Forces of the two countries. The local media tried to pass them off as weapons received by the Armenian Armed Forces. However the Russian military exposed this deception after they posted posting photos from the parade rehearsals, where Russian soldiers were driving Iskander missile systems and other modern military equipment.
