Expert assessments show new war in Karabakh may become last mistake of Azerbaijan

February 18, 2011 - 20:29 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - Recently, a number of assessments for fighting capacity of South Caucasus armed forces have been provided by international experts as well as foreign media.

According to recent reports, quantitative advantage is the only benefit Azeri army possesses. Jane’s Intelligence points out the quantitative superiority of the Azerbaijani army, however, expressing doubts about its quality. Karabakh location, Armenia-Russia military union, as well as internal political situation are against Azerbaijan.

International Crisis Group, in turn, notes that while Azerbaijan has an obvious advantage in military spending, a variety of other factors could give Armenia an edge. Morale and combat readiness in Armenia’s army is also generally considered to be higher than in Azerbaijan’s, which suffers from past defeats, extensive corruption and a rigid chain of command.

“Despite small territory and population, Armenia’s army is considered to be the most professional, efficient and competent in the region,” an article published in Zaman Turkish newspaper said.

Despite Azerbaijani President Aliyev’s statements on Azeri army being the “most powerful in the region”, expert studies show that a new war in Karabakh might become the last mistake of Azerbaijan. As the hero of Karabakh war, major general Arkady Ter-Tadevosyan (Commandos) believes, “Should Karabakh war resume, Armenia could suffer losses at the initial stage. Yet the equilibrium would soon be restored, with Armenian side returning territories lost and conquering more of them.”