 $30 billion necessary for upgrading Armenia's arsenal: Defense official November 5, 2016 - 17:42 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - $30 billion is needed for upgrading Armenia's entire arsenal, Defense Ministry spokesman Artsrun Hovhannisyan said Friday, November 4. Addressing the seminar Tech-Friday in Gyumri, Hovhannisyan stressed the importance of qualified personnel among the armed forces. "We pay more attention to having accomplished sergeants, officers and other senior military staff who can make the right decisions," the military said. "When there aren't enough resources,we shift the focus on the efficient use of the existing tools." "Ammunition is constantly being updated in the Armenian army, this process was underway long before the events in early April," Hovhannisyan said referring to the large-scale offensive unleashed by Azerbaijan against Karabakh in spring. "The most conservative estimates show we need $30 billion to upgrade all of Armenia's arsenal. And even if we had the money, we would still be unable to acquire weapons and ammunition equivalent to such an amount."  Top stories The number of state universities will be reduced from 23 to 8 by 2030, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Zhanna Andreasyan has said. From September 21 to November 11, a total of 2,820 Russians registered at a place of residence in Armenia, the police has said. The situation on the contact line between Karabakh and Azerbaijan was relatively stable overnight, the Defense Army says. Defense Minister Suren Papikyan has visited the southern Armenian province of Syunik, the Defense Ministry reported on March 18.   Partner news |  Latest news Protesters rally as Georgia debates 'foreign agent' bill  Georgian critics label the bill "the Russian law", comparing it to legislation used by the Kremlin to crack down on dissent.Former Pashinyan envoy urges end to Genocide speculation Marukyan has urged authorities in Armenia stop discussions about verifying the names of 1.5 million victims.Azerbaijan, Jordan sign deal on defense cooperation Azerbaijan and Jordan have signed an agreement on cooperation in the field of defense, according to an official statement.First Canadian expert join EU mission in Armenia The first Canadian expert to join the European Union’s civilian mission in Armenia has arrived in Armenia. |
