October 27, 2020 - 21:11 AMT
EU countries granted arms export licenses of €281m to Azerbaijan in 2019

European Union member states have approved over €281 million worth of arms export licenses for Azerbaijan in 2019 alone, according to an online database launched by the European External Action Service. Military products worth almost €38 million have already been shipped to the country.

France has granted the lion's share of the licenses worth more €216.3 million, in three different types of arms export permits.

Spain, meanwhile, has approved arms export licenses worth €63․6 million for Azerbaijan. Also delivering arms to Baku are Bulgaria, Austria, the Netherlands, Great Britain, Romania.

In particular, Azerbaijan seeks to purchase European weapons from the following categories:

1. Smooth-bore weapons with a calibre of less than 20 mm, other arms and automatic weapons with a calibre of 12,7 mm or less, accessories and components – 1 license worth €10,000

2. Smooth-bore weapons with a calibre of 20 mm or more, other weapons or armament with a calibre greater than 12,7 mm, projectors and accessories, and specially designed components therefor – 1 license worth €21,018

3. Ammunition and fuse setting devices, and specially designed components therefor – 1 license worth €366

4. Fire control, and related alerting and warning equipment, and related systems, test and alignment and countermeasure equipment, specially designed for military use, and specially designed components and accessories therefor – 5 licenses worth €190,984,547;

5."Energetic materials", and related substances – 1 license worth €19 947

6. "Aircraft", "lighter than air vehicles", unmanned aerial vehicles, aero-engines and "aircraft" equipment, related equipment and components, specially designed or modified for military use" – 1 license worth €761,732.

7. Armored or protective equipment, constructions and components – 5 licenses worth €335,633;

8. Imaging or countermeasure equipment, specially designed for military use, and specially designed components and accessories therefor – 1 license worth €63,637,552;

9. Software specially designed or modified for the development production, use of equipment or materials controlled by the EU Common Military List – 1 license worth €25,500,000;

10. Technology for the development, production or use of items controlled in the EU Common Military List – 1 license worth €431.

At the same time, nine countries – Bulgaria, Croatia, Estonia, France, Germany, Lithuania, Poland, Great Britain, Finland – have approved 14 arms export licenses worth some €37 million for Armenia in 2019. Military products worth a little over €16 million have already been shipped.

Azerbaijan, with help from Turkey and Syrian and Libyan mercenaries deployed by Ankara, started a war against Karabakh (Artsakh) in the morning of September 27. The Armenian side has reported deaths and injuries both among the civilian population and the military. Foreign and local journalists too have been injured in Azeri shelling of towns and villages.