Armenia doesn't rule out new military loan deal with RussiaFebruary 18, 2019 - 14:14 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenia could get a new loan from Russia after the implementation of the current agreement for $100 million, Defense Minister David Tonoyan told RIA Novosti during the IDEX-2019 arms expo, Kommersant reports. While confirming that such a loan is possible, Tonoyan nevertheless said it’s too early to talk about a specific weapons nomenclature. The minister also said Armenia plans to receive four Russian Su-30SM fighters at the end of 2019 and the beginning of 2020, and that Yerevan would like to purchase 12 such aircraft in total. "We are continuing negotiations on the supply of the next batch of Su-30SM," Tonoyan was quoted as saying. "Everything depends on how quickly a given product can be built - there are issues of import substitution and other problems. We plan to get the first batch this year or, at the very least, at the beginning of the next year." In November 2017, the Armenian government approved an agreement on a $100 million Russian loan to finance deliveries of defense products from Russia. Under the agreement, the loan issued at a three present interest rate is to be used in 2018-2022. As reported earlier, the Armenian Armed Forces have received all the weapons and ammunition envisioned under a $200 loan agreement with Russia, signed in June 2015. Top stories Six total incidents have burned 19 old-growth trees. Friday night 8 trees were torched along the beautiful main entrance. The EU does not intend to conduct military exercises with Armenia, Lead Spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Peter Stano says. Hikmet Hajiyev has said that there is no place for USAID operation in Azerbaijan any longer. A telephone conversation between Putin and Pashinyan before the CSTO summit is not planned, Peskov says. Partner news | Azerbaijan must respect human rights, Scholz tells Aliyev German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has called for greater respect for human rights in Azerbaijan. Armenia: Defense Ministry warns against involving army in political processes The Ministry’s statement came after a video surfaced online, showing soldiers joining the protests in Tavush. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. Armenia, Russia discuss life extension of Metsamor nuclear plant Issues regarding the extension of life of the 2nd power unit of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant were discussed in Yerevan. |