Footage of Armenian army downing Azerbaijani Elbit Hermes 900 droneJuly 14, 2020 - 19:40 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The Armenian Armed Forces have downed a super expensive Israeli-made Elbit Hermes 900 drone, operated by the Azerbaijani military. The border unrest between Armenia and Azerbaijan initiated by the latter on July 12 is still ongoing. Footage from the Armenian military post where the aerial vehicle was shot down was published by the Defense Ministry on Tuesday, July 14. According to former Defense Ministry spokesman Artsrun Hovhannisyan, this is probably the first time ever such a drone has been downed. The Elbit Hermes 900 is designed for tactical missions. It has an endurance of over 30 hours and can fly at a maximum altitude of 9,100 m, with a primary mission of reconnaissance, surveillance and communications relay. The Hermes 900 weighs 970 kg, with a payload capability of 300 kg․ Payload options include electro-optical/infrared sensors, synthetic-aperture radar/ground-moving target indication, communications and electronic intelligence, electronic warfare, and hyperspectral sensors. Armenia, meanwhile, has for the first time ever used locally-produced combat drones. On July 12, Azerbaijan launched two failed infiltration attempts on the border with Armenia whose troops immediately identified the saboteurs and thwarted them back to their positions. Since the next morning, the Azerbaijani military has been firing on the Armenian positions, also using large caliber grenade launchers and combat drones to target civilian homes in several border settlements. Four servicemen of the Armenian army have been killed, and two police officers and three contract soldiers have sustained slight injuries, while Azerbaijan has reported 11 deaths. 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 | 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. Macron says France commemorates 109th anniv. of Armenian genocide Today France commemorates the 109th anniversary of the Armenian genocide of 1915, Macron says. CSTO recognizes Armenia’s sovereign right to withdraw Tasmagambetov has said that if Armenia decides to leave the organization, “it will be the sovereign right of Armenia.” Ex-President: Only removal of “defeatist” rulers can save Armenia Former Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan has shared a message on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. |