Israel confirms $1.6 billion arms deal with AzerbaijanFebruary 27, 2012 - 16:12 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Israeli officials confirmed a deal to sell defense equipment to Azerbaijan to the tune of $1.6 billion, The Jerusalem Post reported. According to the officials, Israeli Aerospace Industries will supply Baku with unmanned aerial vehicles and missile defense systems. Azerbaijan grew closer to Israel after the fall of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s. Another contributing factor for the strengthening of ties is the deterioration of ties between Israel and Turkey. Both countries share borders with Iran. Iran has in the past accused Azerbaijan of allowing Israeli spies it suspected of assassinating Iranian nuclear scientists to infiltrate from the Azeri border. Last week, Azeri authorities announced the arrest of an Iranian terror cell that was planning, according to local reports, to attack the Israeli embassy in the country as well as a Jewish cultural center. It is not clear whether the signing of the arms deal is related to these recent events. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. U.S. welcomes efforts to define Armenia-Azerbaijan border The United States welcomes efforts to define the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, says Vedant Patel. Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24 U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. |