Yerevan becomes witness to grandiose military parade

 September 21, 2011 - 13:42 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - Yerevan hosted a grandiose military parade dedicated to 20th anniversary of Armenia’s independence. The festive Republic Square gathered huge masses, exultantly greeting marching soldiers of Armenian, Artsakh and Russian armies and a vast range of defense weaponry demonstrated.

SU-25 jet aircrafts, leaving coloured streaks in the sky as they flew by, as well as Mi-24, Mi-2 helicopter gunships were welcomed with special enthusiasm. Those gathered were impressed by defence weaponry demonstrated: 9К72 Elbrus vehicle complex, 9K79-1 Tochka-U tactical missile system, S-125 Pechora, K11 Krug and Osa surface-to-air missile systems, GAZ-2975 Tigr high-mobility military vehicles, T-72 tanks, heavy artillery, self-propelled howitzers, anti-tank missiles; Krunk Armenian-made international standard missile drones were demonstrated.

The parade was led by the chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, Colonel-General Yuri Khachaturov with Armenian Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan at reviewing stand.

Armenian President, Supreme Commander in Chief of the Armenian Armed Forces Serzh Sargsyan, Nagorno Karabakh Republic President Bako Sahakyan, Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I, high-ranking politicians and foreign diplomats reviewed the parade from official stands.

The parade couldn't but rise the upsurge of pride and patriotism with many, even most sceptical viewers, who were given a chance to become witness to the might of the Armenian army.