Editing Armed Forces of Armenia

{{Short description|Combined military forces of Armenia}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2023}}
{{Infobox national military
| name = Armed Forces of Armenia
| native_name = {{lang|hy|Հայաստանի զինված ուժեր|italics=no}}
| image = 
| alt = 
| caption = Flag of the Armenian Defense Ministry
| image2 = Coat of Arms of the Armenian Armed Forces.png
| alt2 = 
| caption2 = Emblem of the Armenian Armed Forces
| motto = 
| founded = 28 May 1918; {{age|1918|5|28}} years ago
| current_form = 28 January 1992; {{age|1992|1|28}} years ago
| disbanded = 
| branches = {{army|Armenia}}<br/>{{air force|Armenia}}
| headquarters = [[Yerevan]]
| flying_hours = <!-- Leadership -->
| website = {{URL|https://www.mil.am/en}}
<!-- Leadership -->| commander-in-chief = {{flagicon image|Flag of the President of Armenia.svg}} [[President of Armenia|President]] [[Vahagn Khachaturyan]]
| commander-in-chief_title = [[Commander-in-chief]]
| minister = {{flagicon image|Flag of Armenia.svg}} [[Suren Papikyan]]
| chief minister = {{flagicon image|Flag of Armenia.svg}} [[Nikol Pashinyan]]
| chief minister_title = [[Prime Minister of Armenia|Prime Minister]]
| minister_title = [[Minister of Defence (Armenia)|Minister of Defence]]
| commander = {{flagicon image|Flag of Armenia.svg}} Major General [[Edvard Asryan]]
| commander_title = [[Chief of the General Staff (Armenia)|Chief of the General Staff]]
<!-- Manpower -->| age = 18–30<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2024.html |title=The World Factbook—Central Intelligence Agency |publisher=Cia.gov |access-date=12 November 2017 |archive-date=22 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160322125136/https://www.cia.gov/library//publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2024.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| conscription = 24 months
| manpower_data = 
| manpower_age = 15–49
| available = 809,576
| available_f = 870, 864<ref>{{cite book| title = The World Factbook 2008| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=5lc9jxSKfuEC&pg=PA32| year = 2009| publisher = Government Printing Office| isbn = 978-0-16-087361-4 }}</ref>
| fit = 637,776
| fit_f = 729,846
| reaching = 35,774
| reaching_f = 35,182
| active = 70,000 (65,000 army, 5,000 air forces and air defense) + 5,000 paramilitary ([[International Institute for Strategic Studies|IISS]] estimate)<ref name="MIlBal2024">{{cite book |title=The Military Balance 2024 |date=2024 |publisher=[[International Institute for Strategic Studies]] |isbn=978-1-032-78004-7 |page=178}}</ref>
| ranked = 
| reserve = 210,000 former service personnel with service in last 15 years<ref name="MIlBal2024"/>
| deployed = {{flag|Kosovo}} (58 in [[Kosovo Force|KFOR]])<ref>{{cite web |title=Contributing Nations |url=https://jfcnaples.nato.int/kfor/about-us/welcome-to-kfor/contributing-nations |website=jfcnaples.nato.int |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240608091432/https://jfcnaples.nato.int/kfor/about-us/welcome-to-kfor/contributing-nations |archive-date=8 June 2024}}</ref><br />{{LBN}} (33 in [[United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon|UNFIL]])<ref>{{cite web |title=UNIFIL Troop-Contributing Countries |url=https://unifil.unmissions.org/unifil-troop-contributing-countries |website=unifil.unmissions.org |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241119125845/https://unifil.unmissions.org/unifil-troop-contributing-countries |archive-date=19 November 2024 |date=1 November 2024 |quote=Armenia (33)}}</ref> 
<!-- Financial -->| amount = $1.70 billion (2025)[https://www.azatutyun.am/a/33136331.html]<br/>Percent of GDP= 5% (2025)
<!-- Industrial -->| domestic_suppliers = Scientific-Production Association Garni-Ler<br/>Aspar Arms<br/>Avtomatika Plant<br/>UAVLAB{{citation needed|date=June 2024}}
| foreign_suppliers = {{RUS}}<ref>{{cite news |title=Acquisition of military equipment from Russia dropped from 96 percent to less than 10 percent: Secretary of Security Council |url=https://www.1lurer.am/en/2024/03/06/Acquisition-of-military-equipment-from-Russia-dropped-from-96-percent-to-less-than-10-percent-Secre/1089073 |work=1lurer.am |agency=[[Public TV of Armenia]] |date=6 March 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240611124857/https://www.1lurer.am/en/2024/03/06/Acquisition-of-military-equipment-from-Russia-dropped-from-96-percent-to-less-than-10-percent-Secre/1089073 |archive-date=11 June 2024 |quote=The acquisition of military equipment, for example, from 96 percent with Russia has dropped to less than 10 percent}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Wezeman |first1=Pieter D. |last2=Kuimova |first2=Alexandra |last3=Smith |first3=Jordan |title=Arms transfers to conflict zones: The case of Nagorno-Karabakh |url=https://www.sipri.org/commentary/topical-backgrounder/2021/arms-transfers-conflict-zones-case-nagorno-karabakh |publisher=[[Stockholm International Peace Research Institute]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240525025300/https://www.sipri.org/commentary/topical-backgrounder/2021/arms-transfers-conflict-zones-case-nagorno-karabakh |archive-date=25 May 2024 |date=30 April 2021 |quote=Despite Russia acting as a leading mediator in the conflict between the two countries, in 2011–20, it accounted for 94 per cent of Armenia’s imports of major arms...}}</ref><br>
{{IND}}<ref name="IndFra">{{cite news |title=Armenia ‘Diversifying’ Arms Suppliers |url=https://www.azatutyun.am/a/32806297.html |work=azatutyun.am |agency=[[RFE/RL]] |date=February 5, 2024 |quote=“In this process, we have also acquired new partners,” Papikian said, singling out India and France.}}</ref><br/>
{{FRA}}<ref name="IndFra"/><ref>{{cite news|title=Armenia signs arms contract with France amid boost in military ties|url=https://www.rfi.fr/en/international/20240223-armenia-signs-arms-contract-with-france-amid-boost-in-military-ties|access-date=21 March 2024|date=23 February 2024|agency=[[Radio France Internationale]]}}</ref><br/>
{{CHN}}<ref name="arms"/><br/>
{{BUL}}<ref name="arms"/><br/>
{{SRB}}<ref name="arms"/><br/>
{{UKR}}<ref>{{cite news|last=Kucera|first=Joshua|title=Tajikistan Buying Guns; Ukraine Selling Weapons to Both Armenia and Azerbaijan|url=http://www.eurasianet.org/node/64014|access-date=23 June 2013|newspaper=Eurasianet|date=8 August 2011}}</ref><br/>
{{BLR}}<ref name="arms">{{cite web |last1=Nazaretyan |first1=Hovhannes |title=Three Decades of Arms Supplies to Armenia and Azerbaijan |url=https://evnreport.com/magazine-issues/arms-supplies-to-armenia-and-azerbaijan/ |publisher=[[EVN Report]] |date=February 2, 2023}}</ref><br/>{{GRE}}<ref>{{cite news |title=Greece strengthens defense cooperation with Armenia |url=https://www.sportime.gr/ellinotourkika/i-ellada-stelni-rosika-opla-stin-armenia/ |date=2024-03-15 |accessdate=2024-11-25 |publisher=SportTime}}</ref><br/>{{USA}}
| imports = 
| exports = <!-- Related articles -->
| history = '''[[Military history of Armenia]]'''<br />1918–1920 [[Armenian–Azerbaijani war (1918–1920)|Armenian-Azerbaijani War]]<br /> 1918 [[Armenian-Georgian War]]<br />1920 [[Turkish–Armenian War]]<br />1920 [[Red Army invasion of Armenia]]<br />1921 [[February Uprising]]<br />1988–1994 [[First Nagorno-Karabakh War]]<br />2020 [[Second Nagorno-Karabakh War]]<br>[[September 2022 Armenia–Azerbaijan clashes]]
| ranks = [[Military ranks of Armenia]]
}}
The '''Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia'''<ref>{{cite web |title=MoD Defense Policy Department |url=https://www.mil.am/en/structures/45 |website=mil.am |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240611130122/https://www.mil.am/en/structures/45 |archive-date=11 June 2024 |quote=in the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia.}}</ref> ({{langx|hy|Հայաստանի Հանրապետության զինված ուժեր|Hayastani Hanrapetut’yan zinvats uzher}}, abbreviated ՀՀ ԶՈՒ, ''HH ZU''), sometimes referred to as the '''Armenian Army''' ({{langx|hy|հայկական բանակ|haykakan banak|label=none}}), is the national military of [[Armenia]]. It consists of personnel branches under the [[General Staff of the Armenian Armed Forces]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bvvaul.ru/profiles/3533.php|title=Борисоглебское высшее военное авиационное ордена Ленина Краснознаменное училище лётчиков им. В.П. Чкалова &#124; bvvaul.ru|website=bvvaul.ru}}</ref> which can be divided into two general branches: the [[Armenian Ground Forces|Ground Forces]], and the [[Armenian Air Force|Air Force]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=11 August 2020|title=Middle East:: Armenia {{spnd}} The world factbook—Central intelligence|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/armenia/}}</ref> Although it was partially formed out of the former [[Soviet Army]] forces stationed in the [[Armenian SSR]] (mostly units of the [[7th Guards Army]] of the [[Transcaucasian Military District]]), the military of Armenia can be traced back to the founding of the [[First Republic of Armenia]] in 1918. Being [[landlocked country|landlocked]], Armenia does not have a [[navy]].

The [[Commander-in-Chief]] of the military is the [[President of Armenia]], [[Vahagn Khachaturyan]]. The [[Ministry of Defence of Armenia|Ministry of Defence]] is in charge of political leadership, headed by [[Suren Papikyan]], while military command remains in the hands of the [[General Staff of the Armenian Armed Forces|general staff]], headed by the Chief of Staff, who is [[Major-General]] {{ill|Eduard Asryan|hy|Էդվարդ Ասրյան}}. Border guards subject to the Ministry of Defence until 2001,<ref name="RA LAW ON BORDER TROOPS">{{Cite web|url=https://www.arlis.am/DocumentView.aspx?docid=128798|title=DocumentView}}</ref> patrol Armenia's borders with [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]] and [[Azerbaijan]], while [[Russia]]n troops continue to monitor its borders with [[Iran]] and [[Turkey]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees |title=Refworld {{!}} Chronology for Russians in Azerbaijan |url=https://www.refworld.org/docid/469f3867c.html |website=Refworld |publisher=Minorities at Risk Project |access-date=26 September 2023 |language=en |date=2004 |author1-link=United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Russia - Bilateral Relations |url=https://www.mfa.am/en/bilateral-relations/ru |website=Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia |access-date=26 September 2023 |language=hy}}</ref> Since 2002, Armenia has been a member of the [[Collective Security Treaty Organization]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Collective Security Treaty Organization |url=https://www.mfa.am/en/international-organisations/1 |website=Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia |access-date=26 September 2023 |language=hy}}</ref> Armenia signed a military cooperation plan with [[Lebanon]] on 27 November 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://massispost.com/2015/11/armenia-and-lebanon-sign-2016-military-cooperation-plan/ |title=Armenia and Lebanon Sign 2016 Military Cooperation Plan—Armenian News By MassisPost |publisher=Massispost.com |date= 27 November 2015|access-date=12 November 2017}}</ref>

==History==

=== Early Armenian Army ===
{{Main|First Republic of Armenia}}An Armenian military corps was established to fight against the Ottomans during the [[Turkish–Armenian War]] in early 1918. In accordance with the [[Treaty of Batum]] of 4 June 1918 the Ottoman Empire demobilized most of the Armenian army.<ref>Hovannisian. ''Armenia on the Road to Independence'', pp. 197.</ref> Ethnic Armenian conscripts and volunteers in the [[Imperial Russian Army]] would later become the core of the military of the First Armenian Republic.[[File:Armenian_Fedayees_1890-1896.jpg|left|thumb|An [[Armenian fedayi]] group fighting under the [[Armenian Revolutionary Federation]] banner, ca. 1890s]]

=== Soviet era ===
The [[7th Guards Army]] was based in Yerevan from 1946 to 1992. In the late 1980s the Army consisted of:

* Directorate – Yerevan
*15th Motor Rifle Division – [[Kirovakan|Kirovakan (now Vanadzor)]]
* 75th Motor Rifle Division – [[Nakhchivan (city)|Nakhichevan]]<ref name="Zerbaijan">{{Cite web|url=http://www.zerbaijan.com/azeri/azarmy.htm#fnB4|title = THE EMERGING ARMY IN AZERBAIJAN by Patrick Gorman}}</ref>
* [[127th Motor Rifle Division (Soviet Union)|127th Motor Rifle Division]] – [[Leninakan|Leninakan (now Gyumri)]] 
* 164th Motor Rifle Division – Yerevan

On 1 June 1992, [[ITAR-TASS]] reported that General [[Fyodor Reut]] said that some units of the 7th Guards Army would begin leaving Armenia in 10–15 days.<ref>{{cite news|date=2 June 1992|title=Troops in Republics won't be withdrawn|newspaper=Boca Raton News|agency=Associated Press}}</ref> The army was disbanded later that summer.<ref>Holm/Feskov 2015, [http://www.ww2.dk/new/army/armies/7gvoa.htm 7th Guards Combined Arms Army]</ref> The former [[Soviet Air Defence Forces|Soviet Air Defense Forces]] in Armenia were drawn from the 14th Air Defense Corps of the 19th Separate Air Defense Army.

=== 1988–1992 ===
{{Main|Armenian volunteer units during the First Nagorno-Karabakh War}}
The modern Armenian military entered its first stage at the beginning of the [[Nagorno-Karabakh conflict]], when Armenian militias were formed to combat [[Azerbaijan]]i units in Artsakh.<ref name="MinDef">Ministry of Defense of Armenia. [http://www.mil.am/eng/index.php?page=25 General History of the Armenian Army] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927012151/http://www.mil.am/eng/index.php?page=25|date=2007-09-27}}. Retrieved 31 January 2006.</ref> On 20 September 1990, the first military unit was created, the Yerevan Special Regiment, with the first oath being held in the Republican Assembly Point and was attended by the first President of Armenia [[Levon Ter-Petrosyan]], Prime Minister [[Vazgen Manukyan]], and defence minister [[Vazgen Sargsyan]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=LLC|first=Ayb Solutions|title=LEGEND OF THE SPECIAL REGIMENT|url=http://www.hayzinvor.am/en/33854.html|access-date=2020-05-15|website=Hay Zinvor|language=en}}</ref> Five battalions were also formed in Ararat, Goris, Vardenis, Ijan and Meghri. In 1991, by the decision of the government, the State Committee of Defense under the Council of Ministers, which facilitated the task of coordinating the defense operations of Armenia, becoming the basis on which the Ministry of Defense was to be established later on.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|last=hraparak|date=2015-01-28|title=Հայկական բանակը 23 տարեկան է․ Պատմական ակնարկ|url=https://hraparak.am/post/591fa9ffe3d84d0d37fd220e|access-date=2021-03-27|website=ՀՐԱՊԱՐԱԿ|language=hy-AM}}</ref>

=== Post-1992 ===
[[Armenia]] established a Ministry of Defence on 28 January 1992. The first military unit of the defence ministry to be formed was the 1st Airborne Regiment, where the first Armenian soldier took the oath to the nation that March.<ref>{{Cite web|title="Բանակն ուժեղ է, երբ թիկունքին զգում է իր երկրի, ժողովրդի, պետության շունչը, երբ զինվորն իր ոտքի տակ զգում է հայրենի հողի սրբությունը"|url=http://www.irates.am/hy/1424985286?fb_comment_id=714501192004948_1055772527877811|access-date=2021-03-16|website=irates.am|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=1994 թվականի մայիսի 12-ի զինադադարից հետո մենք ահագին առաջ ենք գնացել․ Աստվածատուր...|url=https://a1plus.am/hy/article/358498|access-date=2021-03-16|website=A1Plus|language=hy}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Հայաստանի Հանրապետությունը նշում է Զինված ուժերի կազմավորման 20ամյակը: ՖՈՏՈՇԱՐՔ|url=https://armenpress.am/arm/news/677314/Armenia_marks_20th_anniversary_of_formation_of_Armed_Forces_PHOTO_SERIES.html|access-date=2021-03-16|website=armenpress.am|language=hy}}</ref> Since a significant part of the officers of the Armed Forces were fighters of the self-defense volunteer detachments, a center for raising the qualification of officers was established for their qualification and training, which during its activity it provided about 1,500 officer-graduates. The School of Non-Commissioned Officers produced about 1,000 graduates.<ref name=":1" />

The [[Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe]] was ratified by the Armenian parliament in July 1992. The treaty establishes comprehensive limits on key categories of military equipment, such as tanks, artillery, armored combat vehicles, combat aircraft, and combat helicopters, and provides for the destruction of weaponry in excess of those limits. [[Armenia]]n officials have consistently expressed determination to comply with its provisions and thus Armenia has provided data on armaments as required under the CFE Treaty. Despite this, Azerbaijan accuses Armenia of diverting a large part of its military forces to [[Nagorno-Karabakh Republic|Nagorno-Karabakh]] and thus circumventing these international regulations. In March 1993, Armenia signed the multilateral [[Chemical Weapons Convention]], which calls for the eventual elimination of chemical weapons. Armenia acceded to the nuclear [[Non-Proliferation Treaty]] as a non-[[nuclear weapon]]s state in July 1993.

In addition to the branches of services listed above, Armenia established its own [[Internal Troops]] from the former Soviet Interior Troops after the dissolution of the Soviet Union.<ref>See for example http://www.mia.gov.az/index.php?/en/content/278/</ref> Up until December 2002, Armenia maintained a Ministry of Internal Affairs, but along with the Ministry of National Security, it was reorganized as a non-ministerial institution. The two organizations became the [[Police of Armenia]] and the [[National Security Service (Armenia)|National Security Service]].<ref>Taylor and Francis, Europa World Yearbook 2004, p.554</ref>

== Organization and service branches ==
{{Main|General Staff of the Armenian Armed Forces}}
The Armenian Armed Forces are Headquartered in [[Yerevan]], where most of the general staff is based. The general staff is responsible for operational command of the Armenian Military and its two major branches.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mil.am/eng/index.php?page=6 |title=mil.am |access-date=27 December 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531153215/http://www.mil.am/eng/index.php?page=6 |archive-date=31 May 2011 }}</ref> The armed forces also has the following personnel branches:{{col div}}
* Department of Military Preparedness
* Department of Military Apparatus
* Department of Aviation
* Department of Missile Troops
* Department of Air Defence
* Department of Rear Services
* Department of Signal Troops
* Department of the Engineer Troops
* Department of Armaments
* Department of the RNBC Defence Troops
* Medical Department
* Personnel Department
* Intelligence Department
* Strategic Planning Department
* Mobilization Department
* Operative Department
* Department of Military Service Security
* Department of Military Commissars
* Financial Department
* Human Resources Department
{{col div end}}

=== Ground Forces ===
{{Main|Armenian Ground Forces}}
[[File:NKR war.JPG|thumb|240px|Armenian soldiers in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict]]
[[File:Armenian sniper field exercises.jpg|thumb|right|240px|Snipers during a field exercise (2004)]]

According to IISS 2010, Armenia has 30 [[T-80]] tanks,<ref>Jane's World Armies Armenia, 2008.</ref> 390 [[T-72]] tanks, 14 [[T-54/55]] tanks and 80 [[BMP-1]]'s, 7 BMP-1K, 55 [[BMP-2]] and 12 [[BRM-1K]]. Wheeled APCs reported included 11 [[BTR-60]]s, 21 [[BTR-70]]s, 4 [[BTR-80]]s, 145 [[MT-LB]]s, 5 [[BMD-1]]S, and 120 [[BRDM-2]] scout vehicles.

Although the Russians have supplied newer equipment to Armenia over the years, the numbers have never been sufficient to upgrade all ground force formations and many of the lower readiness units still have older, Soviet-legacy systems that have not been upgraded or in many cases effectively maintained. These older systems are placing great demands on the logistics system for service, maintenance, replacement parts and necessary upgrades, costing the army both financially and in overall readiness. The ground force is engaged in an effort of reassessment, reorganisation and restructuring, as the future of Armenia's defence needs a revised force structure and unit mix. The army sees the need to maintain much of its traditional mechanised formations, but is looking to lighten and make more mobile and self-sustainable a small number of other formations. It must develop these newer formations to support its international requirements and effectively operate in mountainous and other rugged terrain, but it must do this without affecting the mechanised capability that is needed to confront Azerbaijan's conventional forces.<ref name="eskiyaordusu1">{{cite web|url=http://www.janes.com/articles/Janes-World-Armies/Armenia-Armenia.html|title=Defense & Security Intelligence & Analysis: IHS Jane's—IHS|access-date=24 December 2014}}</ref>

Since the fall of the [[Soviet Union]], Armenia has followed a policy of developing its armed forces into a professional, well trained, and mobile military. In 2000, the [[Centre for International Studies and Research]] reported that at that time the Armenian Army had the strongest combat capability of the three [[South Caucasus]] countries' armies (the other two being [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]] and [[Azerbaijan]]).<ref>Robert Fairbanks, [http://www.ceri-sciencespo.com/archive/nov00/Fairbanks.pdf Public and private armies in the Caucasus], [[Sciences Po]], November 2000</ref> [[CSTO]] Secretary, [[Nikolay Bordyuzha]], came to a similar conclusion after collective military drills in 2007 when he stated that, ''"the Armenian Army is the most efficient one in the post-Soviet space"''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.panarmenian.net/eng/world/news/21078/|title=Bordyuzha: Armenian army most efficient in post-soviet space|work=PanARMENIAN.Net|access-date=24 December 2014}}</ref> This was echoed more recently by [[Igor Korotchenko]], a member of the Public Council, [[Russian Ministry of Defense]], in a March 2011 interview with [[Voice of Russia]] radio.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.am/eng/news/49916.html|title=Armenian army among best in post-Soviet area, expert says|access-date=24 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141224155310/http://news.am/eng/news/49916.html|archive-date=24 December 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The Army is functionally divided into ''Active'' and ''Reserve Forces''. Their main functions include deterrence, defense, [[peace]] support and [[crisis management]], humanitarian and rescue missions, as well as social functions within Armenian society.

The Active Forces mainly have peacekeeping and defensive duties, and are further divided into Deployment Forces, Immediate Reaction, and Main Defense Forces. The Reserve Forces consists of Enhancement Forces, Territorial Defense Forces, and Training Grounds. They deal with planning and reservist preparation, armaments and equipment storage, training of formations for active forces rotation or increase in personnel.

During peacetime the Army maintains permanent [[combat]] and [[mobilization]] readiness. They become part of multinational military formations in compliance with [[international treaties]] Armenia is a signatory to, participate in the preparation of the population, the national economy and the maintenance of wartime reserves and the [[infrastructure]] of the country for defense.

In times of crisis the Army's main tasks relate to participation in operations countering [[terrorism|terrorist activities]] and defense of strategic facilities (such as [[nuclear power]] plants and major industrial facilities), assisting the security forces in proliferation of [[weapons of mass destruction]], illegal armaments traffic and international terrorism.

In case of low- and medium-intensity military conflict the Active Forces that are part of the Army participate in carrying out the initial tasks for the defense of the [[territorial integrity]] and [[sovereignty]] of the country. In case of a high intensity conflict the Land Forces, together with the Air Force, Air Defense and Border Guards, form the defense group of the Armenian Armed Forces aiming at countering aggression and protect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the country.

Experiments in developing small arms have been undertaken in Armenia, producing the [[K-3 (rifle)|K-3]] assault rifle, but Jane's Infantry Weapons estimates that the program has ceased, and the rifle is not in widespread service with the army. The [[AK-74]] is the standard-issue rifle of the Armenian Army with older [[AKM]]s in reserve use.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.janes.com/articles/Janes-Infantry-Weapons/K-3-5-45&nbsp;mm-assault-rifle-Armenia.html|title=Defense & Security Intelligence & Analysis: IHS Jane's—IHS|access-date=24 December 2014}}{{Dead link|date=December 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Beside AK rifles Armenian forces use mostly Russian small arms like the [[Makarov pistol]], [[Snayperskaya Vintovka Dragunova|SVD]] sniper rifle, and the [[PK machine gun|PKM]] general purpose machine gun.

=== Air Force and Air Defense ===
{{Main|Armenian Air Force}}
[[File:Armenian Air force (896484593).jpg|thumb|190x190px|[[Armenian Air Force]] [[Su-25]]'s during a military parade in [[Yerevan]]]]
The [[Armenian Air Force]] consists of 15 [[Sukhoi Su-25|Su-25]] ground attack planes, 18 [[Sukhoi Su-30|Su-30]] jet fighters, 1 [[Mig 25]], 16 [[Mil Mi-24]] helicopter gunships, 6 [[Aero L-39 Albatros|L-39]] trainer and attack aircraft, 16 [[Yakovlev Yak-52|Yak-52]] trainer aircraft, 3 [[Ilyushin Il-76|Il-76]] cargo planes, 18 [[Mil Mi-8]] transport helicopters, and 10 [[Mil Mi-2]] light utility helicopters. There are an additional 18 [[Mikoyan MiG-29|MiG-29]] fighter jets of the [[Russian 102nd Military Base]] stationed in [[Gyumri]].

The Armenian anti-aircraft branch was equipped and organized as part of the military reform program of Lieutenant-General [[Norat Ter-Grigoryants]]. It consists of an anti-aircraft missile brigade and two regiments armed with 100 anti-aircraft complexes of various models and modifications, including the [[SA-8]], [[Lyulev 9M8 Krug|Krug]], [[S-75 Dvina|S-75]], [[S-125]], [[SA-7]], [[SA-10]], [[SA-13]], [[SA-16]] and [[9K38 Igla|SA-18]]. Russia has [[SA-6]] and [[S-300 (missile)|S-300]] long range surface-to-air missiles at the Russian 102nd Military Base. There are also 24 [[Scud]] [[ballistic missile]]s with eight launchers.
Numerical strength is estimated at 3,000 servicemen, with plans for further expansion.

In late December 2010, the Armenian Defense Minister, Seyran Ohanyan, officially acknowledged that the army are equipped with the Russian-made [[S-300 (missile)|S-300]] surface-to-air missiles. The statement was made while the Minister was inspecting a new air-defense command point that maintains "state-of-the-art equipment" built specifically for the operation of the S-300's. Russian specialist started to train Armenian teams on sophisticated Missiles and Defensive Systems. The [[S-300 missile system|S-300]] was paraded for the first time in the 2011 Parade and the only [[S-300 missile system]] ([[S-300 missile system|SA10 Grumble]]) which likes mobility. The [[S-300 missile system|S-300]] is the main Air Defensive system that protects Armenia's air security. In the 2016 Armenian Parade celebrating the Armenian Independence [[Buk missile system|BUK-M2]]<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.panarmenian.net/eng/news/221011/|title=Buk system spotted during Armenia's Independence Day parade rehearsal|newspaper=PanARMENIAN.Net|access-date=7 October 2016}}</ref> Air Defense Systems were shown. These systems were not part of the 200&nbsp;million dollar contract agreement between Yerevan and Moscow but an agreement between CSTO partners. Other devices such as stem of electronic warfare (EW) "Infauna" and P-325U consist in the Armenian Armed Forces.

== Military of Artsakh ==
{{Main|Artsakh Defense Army}}

In addition to forces mentioned above, there were around 20,000 active soldiers defending [[Republic of Artsakh|Nagorno-Karabakh]], a disputed territory which seceded from Azerbaijan from 1991 to 2023. They were well trained and well equipped with the latest in military software and hardware.<ref>C. W. Blandy, [http://www.da.mod.uk/colleges/arag/document-listings/caucasus/08(17)CWB.pdf Azerbaijan: Is War Over Nagornyy Karabakh a Realistic Option?] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110510000120/http://www.da.mod.uk/colleges/arag/document-listings/caucasus/08(17)CWB.pdf |date=10 May 2011 }}, [[Advanced Research and Assessment Group]], [[Defence Academy of the United Kingdom]], Caucasus Series 08/17, 2008, p.16</ref> The Karabakh army's heavy military hardware included: 316 tanks, 324 armored vehicles, 322 artillery pieces of calibers over 122&nbsp;mm, 44 multiple rocket launchers, and a new anti-aircraft defense system.<ref>DeRouen, Karl and Uk Heo (eds.) ''Civil Wars of the World: Major Conflicts since World War II''. Santa Barbara, California: ABC-CLIO, 2007, p. 151.</ref> In addition, the Artsakh Defence Army maintained a small air-force of 2 [[Su-25]]s, 5 [[Mi-24]]s and 5 other helicopters.{{Citation needed|date=October 2016}} The Artsakh Defence Army was disbanded on 21 September 2023 under the terms of [[2023 Nagorno-Karabakh ceasefire agreement|Nagorno-Karabakh ceasefire agreement]] following the [[2023 Azerbaijani offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh|2023 Azerbaijani military offensive on the territory]].

== Personnel ==
{{see also|Military ranks of Armenia}}
The Armed Forces of Armenia is constitutionally a conscript force, but there is also a growing number of professional officers. There were roughly 19,000 conscripts and 23,000 professionals serving in 2017.<ref>{{citation |title=The Military Balance 2017 |publisher=IISS |page=199}}</ref> Enlistment, which is performed twice a year, is handled by military commissariats. Male draftees between the ages of 18 and 27 are obliged to present themselves in the commissariats for registration. People who have changed their citizenship or have dual citizenship are also subject to conscription, unless they have already served in the armed forces of another country. Since 2003, [[conscientious objector]]s can apply for alternative service. [[Draft evasion|Draft evaders]] can not be appointed to public service positions. Citizens who have completed military service are registered in the reserve and are divided into rank and file, non-commissioned and commissioned staff of the reserve. Reservists can be called up to training [[Muster (military)|musters]] and exercises in peacetime. Reserve obligation lasts up to the age of 50.<ref>{{citation |title=Law of the Republic of Armenia "On Conscription"}}</ref>

=== Educational institutions ===
[[File:Armenia in parade 2015.jpg|thumb|Contingent from the Armed Forces of Armenia on [[Red Square]] in 2015.]]
* [[National Defense Research University]]
* [[Vazgen Sargsyan Military University]]
* [[Monte Melkonian Military Academy]]
* [[Armenak Khanperyants Military Aviation University]]
* [[Yerevan State Medical University]] Military Faculty
* Foreign institutions for Armenian soldiers<ref>{{Cite web|title=MD RA—Study Abroad|url=http://www.mil.am/en/structures/68|access-date=29 May 2020|website=mil.am|language=en}}</ref>
**[[Military Academy of Modena]]
**[[École spéciale militaire de Saint-Cyr]]
**[[Hellenic Military Academy]]
**[[Military University of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation|Military University of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation—College of Military Finance]]

Higher military education is provided by the National Defense Research University in Yerevan. It was established in 2016, on the basis of the Institute for National Strategic Studies.<ref>{{cite web |title=National Defense Research University opens in Yerevan |url=https://news.am/eng/news/308635.html |website=news.am |access-date=29 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180629155445/https://news.am/eng/news/308635.html |archive-date=29 June 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The ''I Have the Honour State Program'' is an educational program of the ministry of defence that serves conscripts in the army. Participants of the program are given the right to defer conscription in favor of education in post-secondary institutions with full reimbursement of tuition fees, after which the conscript is awarded the rank of lieutenant and is appointed to the service for a period of 2 years and 3 months.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mil.am/en/pages/2|title=MD RA—For Journalists|website=mil.am}}</ref>

=== Contract service ===
A contractual military service is a service last for 3–12 months, or for a term of three or five years. Males under 36 who have not previously served as contract servicemen and are registered in the reserve, can be enrolled in contractual military service as privates. Felons and those not fit for service are ineligible for contract service. Since 2008, sergeant training courses for contract servicemen have operated in the Armed Forces and since 2013, the duration of the courses has three months. The courses are open to reservist privates under the age of 25.<ref>{{Cite web|title=MD RA - For Journalists|url=https://www.mil.am/en/pages/38|access-date=2021-04-02|website=mil.am|language=en}}</ref>

=== Conscription ===
Military service in Armenia is mandatory.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Legislation: National Assembly of RA|url=http://www.parliament.am/legislation.php?sel=show&ID=1658&lang=rus|access-date=2021-04-02|website=parliament.am}}</ref> Citizens aged 27 to 50 are registered in the reserve and may be drafted if a national mobilization was declared. The enlistment process is handled by the military commissariats in January and May. Dual citizens are not be exempt from the draft.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Military Service in Armenia—ILex Law Firm Armenia|url=https://www.ilex.am/en/2-ilex/244-military-service-in-armenia.html|access-date=2021-04-02|website=ilex.am}}</ref> If one fails to follow through with their obligations, a criminal case is then instituted, which could lead to 3 years in jail.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Diaspora—Military Registration and Service|url=http://diaspora.gov.am/en/pages/101/military|access-date=2021-04-02|website=diaspora.gov.am|language=en}}</ref>

The following military commissariats operate in Armenia:<ref>{{Cite web|title=MD RA—Military Enlistment office|url=https://www.mil.am/en/military-enlistment|access-date=2021-04-02|website=mil.am|language=en}}</ref>

* [[Yerevan]]
** Conscription and Mobilization Service
** No.1 territorial subdivision
** No.2 Territorial Subdivision
** No.3 Territorial Subdivision
** No.4 Territorial Subdivision
* [[Ashtarak]]
** Aragatsotn Regional Subdivision
* [[Artashat, Armenia|Artashat]]
** Ararat Regional Subdivision
* [[Armavir Province|Armavir]]
** Armavir Regional Subdivision
* [[Martuni, Armenia|Martuni]]
** [[Gegharkunik Province|Gegharkunik]] Regional Subdivision
* [[Abovyan]]
** [[Kotayk Province|Kotayk]] Regional Subdivision
* [[Vanadzor]]
** [[Lori Province|Lori]] Regional Subdivision
* [[Gyumri]]
** [[Shirak Province|Shirak]] Regional Subdivision
* [[Goris]]
** [[Syunik Province|Syunik]] Regional Subdivision
* [[Ijevan]]
** [[Tavush Province|Tavush]] Regional Subdivision
* [[Yeghegnadzor]]
** [[Vayots Dzor Province]] Regional Subdivision
The armed forces also sport the following volunteer units:
* Sisakan Regiment<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.hayzinvor.am/en/73941.html?fdx_switcher=true | title=Ready to retaliate, and go further... | publisher=hayzinvor.am | language=en | first=Alice | last=Alaverdyan | date=19 March 2020 | access-date=8 April 2021 }}</ref>
* [[Erato Detachment]]
* Vanadzor Volunteer Detachment<ref>{{Cite web|title=Arminfo: В Армении формируются добровольческие отряды|url=https://arminfo.info/full_news.php?id=56969&lang=2|access-date=2021-03-28|website=arminfo.info|language=en|archive-date=20 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120002321/https://arminfo.info/full_news.php?id=56969&lang=2|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*[[Homeland detachment|Homeland Detachment]]<ref>{{Cite web|date=15 January 2020|title=Представитель отряда "Родина": "Аргишти Кярамян координировал процесс сдачи Азербайджану Шуши"|trans-title=Representative of the Rodina detachment: "Argishti Karamian coordinated the process of surrendering Shushi to Azerbaijan"|url=https://armenianreport.com/ru/pubs/270428/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210120045253/https://armenianreport.com/ru/pubs/270428/|archive-date=20 January 2021|access-date=21 January 2021|work=ArmenianReport|language=ru|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Hovhannisyan|first=Samvel|date=16 January 2021|title=Дуэль Ванецяна и Кярамяна—стреляют друг в друга, попадают в Армению|trans-title=Duel of Vanetsyan and Kyaramyan—shoot each other, end up in Armenia|url=https://armenianreport.com/ru/pubs/270487/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210120050002/https://armenianreport.com/ru/pubs/270487/|archive-date=20 January 2021|access-date=21 January 2021|work=ArmenianReport|language=ru|url-status=live}}</ref>
*ARF Battalion<ref name="asbarez">{{cite news|author=<!--Staff writer(s)/no by-line.-->|date=28 October 2020|title=More ARF Volunteers Head to Frontlines|work=Asbarez|url=https://asbarez.com/198083/more-arf-volunteers-head-to-frontlines/|access-date=23 January 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://araratnews.am/hyd-n-kazmavorum-e-kamavorakanneri-pahestayin-gumartak/ |title=ՀՅԴ-ն կազմավորում է կամավորականների պահեստային գումարտակ &#124; AraratNews |access-date=11 April 2021 |archive-date=28 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161128155429/http://araratnews.am/hyd-n-kazmavorum-e-kamavorakanneri-pahestayin-gumartak/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Technologies|first=Peyotto|title="ՀՅԴ պահեստազորային գումարտակը կատարելու է ԳՇ-ի առաջադրած խնդիրները". Արթուր Եղիազարյան|url=https://168.am/2019/10/17/1190169.html|access-date=2021-04-11}}</ref>
*[[Tigranes the Great|Tigran the Great]] International Military Regiment<ref>{{Cite news|title="Մեծն Տիգրան" գունդը հավաքագրում է կամավորների|url=https://www.azatutyun.am/a/24625728.html|access-date=2021-04-11|website=«Ազատ Եվրոպա/Ազատություն» ռադիոկայան|date=26 June 2012 |language=hy}}</ref>

=== Women in the armed forces ===
During the [[First Nagorno-Karabakh War]] in the early 90s, at least 115 Armenian women were known to have taken part in combat operations.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|date=16 November 2020|title=The Artsakh War brought about Armenia's first all-women military unit|url=https://www.wearethemighty.com/mighty-trending/armenias-all-women-military-unit/}}</ref> Many women from the diaspora arrived to serve in non-combat missions.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-11-28|title=How I Became a Soldier|url=https://armenianweekly.com/2018/11/28/how-i-became-a-soldier/|access-date=2021-03-27|website=The Armenian Weekly|language=en-US}}</ref> The first woman to have been given a significant position in the military was Zhanna Galstyan, who was appointed deputy commander of the Central District Defensive Unit after the formation of the Artsakh Defense Army.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Zhanna G. Galstyan|url=http://www.nankr.am/en/48|access-date=2021-03-23|website=nankr.am|archive-date=18 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210118004353/http://www.nankr.am/en/48|url-status=dead}}</ref>

More than 2,000 women currently serve in the army, with most working in administrative positions or in liaison and medical units. In October 2016, a program, approved by the [[National Assembly (Armenia)|National Assembly]], committed the military to "creating additional opportunities" for women serving in the army or seeking military service. Defense Minister [[Vigen Sargsyan]] at the time told the MPs that "It would be wrong not to let them (women) reach their full potential."<ref>{{Cite web|title=Армения: Власти привлекают женщин к службе в армии {{!}} Eurasianet|url=https://russian.eurasianet.org/node/63756|access-date=2021-03-27|website=russian.eurasianet.org|language=en}}</ref> The [[Erato Detachment]] was the first all-women military unit in the Armenian Armed Forces,<ref name=":0" /> being created after of clashes between the [[Azerbaijani Army]] and [[Armenia]] occurred in July 2020.<ref name=":0" /> [[Anna Hakobyan]], the wife of the current [[Prime Minister of Armenia|Prime Minister]] of [[Armenia]], [[Nikol Pashinyan]], underwent a week long combat readiness program with women from the [[Republic of Artsakh]] who joined the unit.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Artsakh women participate in 1-week combat preparedness training at initiative of Armenian PM's wife|url=https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1026529|website=armenpress.am}}</ref>

=== Minorities ===
During the 2020 war, a group of [[Yazidi]] reservists formed a reserve military unit that joined the frontline in Karabakh. The unit was led by Rzgan Sarhangyan and is composed of 50 soldiers aged between 18 and 55.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-10-03|title=Armenian Yazidis join fight against Azerbaijan in Nagorno-Karabakh|url=https://english.alarabiya.net/features/2020/10/03/Armenian-Yazidis-join-fight-against-Azerbaijan-in-Nagorno-Karabakh|access-date=2021-04-02|website=Al Arabiya English|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=More Yazidi volunteers heading for Artsakh to protect the common homeland|url=https://en.armradio.am/2020/11/05/more-yazidi-volunteers-heading-for-artsakh-to-protect-the-common-homeland/|access-date=2021-04-02|website=Public Radio of Armenia|language=en-US}}</ref>

== Equipment ==
{{main|List of equipment of the Armenian Armed Forces}}
The Armenian Army operates a wide variety of older equipment, mostly of [[Soviet]] origin. There is also some newer equipment from [[Russia]]. In 2015, a US$200m loan was ratified by Russia for the purchase of modern weapons between 2015 and 2017.<ref>{{cite journal |title=The Military Balance 2017 |page=199 |publisher=IISS}}</ref> Armenia produces its own combat helmets and body armors through the works of a joint Armenian-Polish company. Some personal equipment used by special units ([[Future Assault Shell Technology helmet]]s, plate carriers and special pouches) is imported. [[Armenia]] also produces most of its small arms, with only specialised units being imported.

Following the [[2016 Nagorno-Karabakh clashes]], the [[Helsinki Citizens' Assembly]] released a report, which detailed the circumstances of death of Armenian servicemen. Among the contributing factors were stated to be malfunctioning equipment and lack of necessary materiel, especially ammunition.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sadikyan |first1=Armine |title=ON THE DEATH CIRCUMSTANCES OF SERVICEMEN PERISHED DURING THE HOSTILITIES OF APRIL 2016 AND THE STATE OF SOCIAL SECURITY OF THEIR FAMILIES |url=http://hcav.am/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/REPORT-ON-THE-DEATH-CIRCUMSTANCES-OF-SERVICEMEN-PERISHED-DURING-THE-HOSTILITIES-OF-APRIL-2016-AND-THE-STATE-OF-SOCIAL-SECURITY-OF-THEIR-FAMILIES.pdf |publisher=Helsinki Citizens' Assembly Vanadzor office |access-date=29 June 2018 |page=14 |date=2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180629155320/http://hcav.am/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/REPORT-ON-THE-DEATH-CIRCUMSTANCES-OF-SERVICEMEN-PERISHED-DURING-THE-HOSTILITIES-OF-APRIL-2016-AND-THE-STATE-OF-SOCIAL-SECURITY-OF-THEIR-FAMILIES.pdf |archive-date=29 June 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=No Armenian Defense Official Held Responsible for Negligence During 2016 Nagorno-Karabakh Clashes |url=http://epress.am/en/2017/04/25/no-armenian-defense-official-held-responsible-for-negligence-during-2016-nagorno-karabakh-clashes.html |website=epress.am |access-date=29 June 2018|date=25 April 2017 }}</ref> This was followed by plans to increase Armenian defense spending to purchase more weapons and ammunition.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gabrielian |first1=Sisak |title=Yerevan Plans More Arms Acquisitions In 2018 |url=https://www.azatutyun.am/a/28769583.html |newspaper=«Ազատ Եվրոպա/Ազատություն» Ռադիոկայան |date=2 October 2017 |publisher=Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty |access-date=29 June 2018}}</ref>

Armenia is not a significant exporter of conventional weapons, but it has provided support, including material, to the [[Armenian people|Armenians]] of Nagorno-Karabakh during the [[Nagorno-Karabakh conflict]].

== International military cooperation ==

=== Russia === 
{{See also|Armenia–Russia relations#Military union and cooperation}}
[[File:Vladimir Putin in Armenia, December 2013 (2236-20).jpg|thumb|[[Vladimir Putin]] during his visit to the 102nd Russian military base in Armenia.]]
Russia is one of the closest allies of Armenia. The [[Russian 102nd Military Base]], the former 127th Motor Rifle Division, is stationed in [[Gyumri]]. The military alliance of the two nations and, in particular, the presence of Russian troops on Armenian soil has been a key element of Armenia's national security doctrine since Armenia gained independence in 1991.<ref name="asbarez.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.asbarez.com/2009/12/17/armenia-russia-sign-arms-export-deal-2/|title=Armenia, Russia Sign Arms Export Deal|work=Asbarez News|access-date=24 December 2014|date=17 December 2009|archive-date=23 December 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091223153057/http://www.asbarez.com/2009/12/17/armenia-russia-sign-arms-export-deal-2/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Russia stations an estimated 5,000 soldiers of all types in Armenia, including 3,000 officially reported to be based at the 102nd Military Base. In 1997, the two countries signed a far-reaching friendship [[treaty]], which calls for mutual assistance in the event of a military threat to either party and allows [[Russian border guard]]s to patrol Armenia's frontiers with [[Turkey]] and [[Iran]]. In early 2005, the 102nd Military Base had 74 tanks, 17 battle infantry vehicles, 148 armored personnel carriers, 84 artillery pieces, 18 [[MiG-29]] fighters, one battery of [[SA-6]] and two batteries of [[SA-10 Grumble|S-300]] anti-aircraft missiles. However, in 2005–2007, following an agreement on the withdrawal of two Russian military bases from Georgia, a great deal of military hardware was moved to the 102nd Base from the Russian [[12th Military Base]] in [[Batumi]] and the 62nd Military Base at [[Akhalkalaki]], [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]]. Russia also supplies weapons at the relatively lower prices of the Russian domestic market as part of a collective security agreement since January 2004.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://newsfromrussia.com/main/2003/11/12/51161.html |title=Russian supply |access-date=12 March 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051202115302/http://newsfromrussia.com/main/2003/11/12/51161.html |archive-date=2 December 2005 }}</ref>

According to unconfirmed reports by the Azeri media, Russia has supplied $1&nbsp;billion worth of arms and ammunitions to Armenia in 1996; and handed over an additional $800&nbsp;million worth of arms to Armenia in 2008–2009. According to AzerNews, the weapons in this latest transfer include 21 tanks, 12 armored vehicles, five other battle machines, a great number of rocket launchers, over 1,050 cases of grenades, nearly 7,900 types of ammunition, 120 grenade launchers, over 4,000 sub-machine guns, TNT fuses, mines of various types, 14 mine-launchers, 9 Grad launchers, five cannons, and other weapons.<ref>AzerNews [https://web.archive.org/web/20110706131008/http://www.azernews.az/site/shownews.php?news_id=9867 Russia `donates` $800m arms to Armenia] 14 January 2009</ref>

[[Officer (armed forces)|Officer]] [[Military education and training|training]] is another sphere of Russian-Armenian military cooperation. In the first years of [[sovereignty]] when Armenia lacked a military educational establishment of its own, officers of its army were trained in [[Russia]]. Even now when Armenia has a military [[college]] on its own territory, the Armenian officer [[corps]] honors the tradition and is trained at Russian military educational establishments. In 1997, 600 Armenian servicemen were being trained at Russian Military Academies: the training was conducted by the Marshal Bagramyan Training Brigade.<ref>Ministry of Defence of Armenia, [http://www.mil.am/eng/?page=11 Official Web Site]</ref>

At the first meeting of the joint Russian-Armenian government panel for military-technical cooperation that took place during autumn 2005, Prime Minister [[Mikhail Fradkov]] reported that, Russian factories will participate in the Armenian program of military modernization, and that Russia is prepared to supply the necessary spare parts and equipment. In accordance with this agreement, Armenia and Russia agreed to work together in exporting weapons and other military equipment to third countries in December 2009. The export agreement was signed by Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan and a visiting senior Russian official, Konstantin Biryulin, during a meeting of a Russian-Armenian inter-governmental commission on bilateral military-technical cooperation. The agreement envisages the two countries' interaction in exporting military production to third countries, which will help to strengthen the armed forces of the two states, and further cement the already close Russian–Armenian military cooperation.<ref name="asbarez.com"/>

A Russian-Armenian defense agreement signed in August 2010 extends Russia's military presence in Armenia till 2044 and commits Russia to supplying Armenia with modern and compatible weaponry and special military hardware at reduced prices.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.armenialiberty.org/content/article/2200677.html|title=Armenia 'Unfazed' By Azerbaijan's Growing Military Spending|work=«Ազատ Եվրոպա/Ազատություն» ռադիոկայան|date=26 October 2010 |access-date=24 December 2014 |last1=Harutyunyan |first1=Sargis }}</ref>

At the beginning of 2009, Azerbaijani media published allegations that Russia had made extensive weapons transfers to Armenia throughout 2008 costing about $800&nbsp;million. On 12 January 2009, the Russian ambassador was invited to the [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Azerbaijan)|Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs]] and asked about this information. On 21 January 2009, Russian ministry of foreign relations officially denied the transfers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://day.az/news/politics/144560.html|title=МИД России опроверг информацию о поставках Армении российского оружия на $800 млн.|date=21 January 2009|work=DAY.AZ|access-date=24 December 2014}}</ref> According to [[United States diplomatic cables leak|US diplomatic cables leaked]] in December 2010, Azerbaijani defence minister [[Safar Abiyev]] claimed that in January 2009 during his visit to Moscow, his Russian counterpart [[Anatoly Serdyukov]] unofficially had admitted to weapons transfers "after the second bottle of vodka" that evening, although officially it was denied.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/us-embassy-cables-documents/197735|title=Embassy cables: Truth about Putin and Medvedev – over a bottle of vodka|work=The Guardian|date=December 2010|access-date=24 December 2014}}</ref>

In June 2013 it was revealed that Russia has deployed in Armenia several [[Iskander-M]] ballistic missiles systems, which are stationed at undisclosed locations in the country.<ref>{{cite news|last=Harutyunyan|first=Sargis|title=Advanced Russian Missiles 'Deployed in Armenia'|url=http://www.azatutyun.am/content/article/25005647.html|access-date=22 June 2013|date=3 June 2013|agency=[[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty]]}}</ref>

=== Collective Security Treaty Organisation ===
{{See also|Armenia–CSTO relations}}
On 7 October 2002, the Presidents of [[Armenia]], [[Belarus]], [[Kazakhstan]], [[Kyrgyzstan]], [[Russia]] and [[Tajikistan]], signed a charter in [[Tashkent]], founding the [[Collective Security Treaty Organisation]] (CSTO) (Russian: Организация Договора о Коллективной Безопасности (ОДКБ/ODKB)) or simply Ташкентский договор (The [[Tashkent Treaty]]). [[Nikolai Bordyuzha]] was appointed secretary general of the new organisation. On 23 June 2006, [[Uzbekistan]] became a full participant in the CSTO and its membership was formally ratified by its parliament on 28 March 2008.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20140227124643/http://www.eurasianhome.org/ eurasianhome.org] Access date: 24 December 2014 (Archive date 27 February 2014)</ref> Furthermore, the CSTO is an observer organisation at the [[United Nations General Assembly observers|United Nations General Assembly]].

The charter reaffirmed the desire of all participating states to abstain from the use or threat of force. Signatories would not be able to join other military alliances or other groups of states, while aggression against one signatory would be perceived as an aggression against all. To this end, the CSTO holds yearly military command exercises for the CSTO nations to have an opportunity to improve inter-organisation cooperation. The largest-scale CSTO military exercise held, to date, were the "Rubezh 2008" exercises hosted in [[Armenia]] where a combined total of 4,000 troops from all 7 constituent CSTO member countries conducted operative, strategic, and tactical training with an emphasis towards furthering the efficiency of the collective security element of the CSTO partnership.<ref>[http://www.pims.org/news/2008/08/06/rubezh-2008-the-first-large-scale-csto-military-exercise] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090210230833/http://www.pims.org/news/2008/08/06/rubezh-2008-the-first-large-scale-csto-military-exercise|date=10 February 2009}}</ref>

The Ministry of Defense of Armenia has repeatedly stated that it would expect direct military assistance from the CSTO in case war with Azerbaijan resumes, as recently as December 2009, Defense Minister Ohanyan made the same statement. In August 2009, Nikolay Bordyuzha, the CSTO's secretary-general, confirmed that official [[Yerevan]] can count on such support.<ref name="asbarez.com"/>

On 4 February 2009, an agreement to create the Collective Rapid Reaction Force (KSOR) was reached by five of the seven CSTO members, with plans finalized on 14 June 2009. Armenia is one of the five member states. The force is intended to be used to repulse military aggression, conduct [[anti-terrorist]] operations, fight [[transnational crime]] and [[drug trafficking]], and neutralize the effects of [[natural disaster]]s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thefastertimes.com/defensespending/2009/10/30/with-russian-prodding-csto-begins-taking-shape/|title=With Russian Prodding, CSTO Begins Taking Shape|work=The Faster Times|access-date=24 December 2014|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141224155135/http://www.thefastertimes.com/defensespending/2009/10/30/with-russian-prodding-csto-begins-taking-shape/|archive-date=24 December 2014}}</ref>

=== NATO ===
{{Main|Armenia–NATO relations}}
{{See also|Major non-NATO ally#Armenia}}
Armenia participates in [[NATO]]'s [[Partnership for Peace]] (PiP) program and it is in a NATO organization called [[Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council]] (EAPC). Armenia is in the process of implementation of [[Individual Partnership Action Plan]]s (IPAPs), which is a program for those countries that have the political will and ability to deepen their relationship with NATO. Cooperative Best Effort exercise (the first where Russia was represented) was run on Armenian territory in 2003.

=== France ===
On 5 October 2023, following the [[2023 Azerbaijani offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh]], [[France]] announced that it would send defense aid to the Armenian military.<ref>{{cite web |title=French foreign minister pledges arms for Armenia in visit to Yerevan |url=https://www.euronews.com/2023/10/04/french-foreign-minister-pledges-arms-for-armenia-in-visit-to-yerevan |website=euronews.com |publisher=euronews |access-date=5 October 2023}}</ref>

=== Greece ===
[[Greece]] is Armenia's closest ally in NATO and the two cooperate on multiple issues. A number of Armenian officers are trained in Greece every year, and military aid/material assistance has been provided to Armenia. In 2003, the two countries signed a military cooperation accord, under which Greece will increase the number of Armenian servicemen trained at the military and military-medical academies in Athens.

In February 2003, [[Armenia]] sent 34 peacekeepers to [[Kosovo]] where they became part of the [[Greece|Greek]] contingent. Officials in [[Yerevan]] have said the Armenian military plans to substantially increase the size of its peacekeeping detachment and counts on Greek assistance to the effort. In June 2008, Armenia sent 72 peacekeepers to Kosovo for a total of 106 peacekeepers.

In November 2024, several sources claimed that Greece was planning to transfer all Russian-made air defences it possessed to Armenia. The equipment includes S-300 long-range SAMs, acquired by Greece after the [[Cypriot S-300 crisis|Cypriot Missile Crisis]], [[Tor missile system|Tor-M1]] short-medium range SAM, and [[Osa-AKM]] short-range systems. The claim has not been confirmed by the Greek MoD yet.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ռ/Կ |first=«Ազատություն» |date=2024-11-26 |title=Greece Said To Send Air Defense Systems To Armenia |url=https://www.azatutyun.am/a/33216699.html |access-date=2024-11-26 |work=«Ազատ Եվրոպա/Ազատություն» ռադիոկայան |language=hy}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Brahy |first=Jérôme |title=Greece to transfer S-300 and Tor-M1 air defense systems to Armenia instead of Ukraine in strategic shift |url=https://armyrecognition.com/news/army-news/army-news-2024/greece-to-transfer-s-300-and-tor-m1-air-defense-systems-to-armenia-instead-of-ukraine-in-strategic-shift |access-date=2024-11-26 |website=armyrecognition.com |language=en-gb}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=LLC |first=Helix Consulting |title=Greece could send Russian air defense systems to Armenia |url=https://www.panorama.am/en/news/2024/11/26/Greece-Armenia/3082882 |access-date=2024-11-26 |website=www.panorama.am |language=en}}</ref>

=== Baltic States ===
[[Lithuania]] has been sharing experience and providing consultations to the Armenian Defense Ministry in the field of democratic control of armed forces, military and defense concepts and public relations since 2002. Since 2004, Armenian officers have been invited to study at the [[General Jonas Žemaitis Military Academy of Lithuania|Lithuanian War Academy]] and the [[Baltic Defence College]] in [[Tartu]], [[Estonia]]. Lithuania covers all study expenditures. In early 2007, two Armenian officers for the first time took part in a Baltic lead international exercise, Amber Hope, which was held in Lithuania.<ref>[http://groong.usc.edu/news/msg211150.html Lithuanian Defense Minister Going To Armenia]{{dead link|date=October 2014}}</ref>

=== United States ===
{{See also|Armenia–United States relations#Military cooperation|Kansas–Armenia National Guard Partnership}}
[[File:Armenian army Capt. Avetisyan Slavik, a platoon leader, gives a safety briefing to his troops before loading onto a U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter during a training exercise March 12, 2014, at Camp 140312-A-QK348-046.jpg|thumb|Armenian troops before loading onto a U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter during a training exercise]]
The [[United States]] has been steadily upping its military clout in the region. In early 2003, the [[United States Department of Defense]] announced several major military programs in the [[Caucasus]]. [[Federal government of the United States|Washington's]] military aid to Armenia in 2005 amounted to $5&nbsp;million, and in April 2004, the two sides signed a military-technical cooperation accord.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wuPeALvC-aUC&pg=PA8|title=Treaties in Force|date=2008|publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office|isbn=9780160821240|language=en}}</ref> In late 2004, Armenia deployed a unit of 46 soldiers, which included bomb-disposal experts, [[Physician|doctor]]s, and transport specialists, to Iraq as part of the American-led [[Multi-National Force Iraq]]. In 2005, the United States allocated $7&nbsp;million to modernize the military communications of the Armenian Armed Forces.

Since 2003, Armenia and the [[Kansas National Guard]] have exchanged military delegations as part of a [[National Guard Bureau]] program to promote better relations between the United States and developing nations. The program has largely consisted of mutual visits to each other's countries in an effort to share "ideas and [the] best practices for military and emergency management."<ref>"[http://www.kansascity.com/2012/11/27/3936209/kansas-national-guard-aiding-armenian.html#storylink=cpy Kansas National Guard aiding Armenian military]." ''[[Kansas City Star]]''. 27 November 2012. Retrieved 27 November 2012. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121130023232/http://www.kansascity.com/2012/11/27/3936209/kansas-national-guard-aiding-armenian.html#storylink=cpy |date=30 November 2012 }}</ref>

[[Eagle Partner 2023]] was a military exercise which took place in Armenia from 11 September to 20 September 2023. The main goal of the exercise was the fortifying of the alliance between the [[Armenia–United States relations|United States with Armenia]] and also the training of the [[12th Peacekeeping Brigade (Armenia)|12th Peacekeeping Brigade]] of the Armed Forces of Armenia for future peacekeeping missions.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Armenia|first=U. S. Mission|date=2023-09-15 |title=Eagle Partner Exercise Builds Upon Longstanding U.S.-Armenian Security Cooperation|url=https://am.usembassy.gov/eagle-partner/|access-date=2023-10-27|website=U.S. Embassy in Armenia|language=en-US}}</ref> Eagle Partner 2024 began on 15 July 2024. The exercises were scheduled to last through July 24.<ref>[https://www.voanews.com/a/armenia-launches-military-drills-with-us-amid-souring-ties-with-old-ally-russia-/7699015.html Armenia launches military drills with US amid souring ties with old ally Russia ]</ref>

On 6 December 2024, Armenian Defense Minister [[Suren Papikyan]] held a high-level meeting with United States Secretary of Defense [[Lloyd Austin]] at [[The Pentagon]]. The two leaders met to discuss the strategic relationship between the United States and Armenia. Austin stated, "Your visit is historic. Armenia extended its hand to the United States and I'm proud to host you here today" and "the U.S. supports a sovereign, independent, and prosperous Armenia and that relationship between the two nations continues to grow closer."<ref>[https://mediamax.am/en/news/armypolice/56422/ Pentagon head describes the visit of Armenian DM as "historic"]</ref> Papikyan highlighted the priority of  transforming the Armenian Armed Forces and enhancing interoperability with the [[U.S. Armed Forces]].<ref>[https://armenpress.am/en/article/1206818 Armenian Defense Minister, U.S. Secretary of Defense discuss cooperation]</ref>

=== European Union ===
{{See also|Armenia–European Union relations}}
On 22 July 2024, the [[European Union]] approved the allocation of 10 million euros to the Armed Forces of Armenia from the [[European Peace Facility]]. This marked the first ever funding assistance to the Armed Forces of Armenia from the EU. The funding will be used to increase the material and technical capabilities of Armenia's army. The EU's Foreign Affairs chief, [[Josep Borrell]] stated "Security is an important element of bilateral relations with Armenia. The EU has a mutual interest in further expanding dialogue on foreign and security policy, also looking into Armenia's future participation in EU-led missions and operations." Armenia's Foreign Minister [[Ararat Mirzoyan]] stated "We salute the historic decisions of EU [[Foreign Affairs Council]] on providing assistance to Armenia under the European Peace Facility. This is a very important milestone in the Armenia-EU partnership based on shared values and principles as well as the vision for stability, peace and prosperity." While the Armenian [[Minister of Defence (Armenia)|Minister of Defence]], [[Suren Papikyan]] stated "This initiative will give a new charge to closer cooperation with our partner EU member countries in both bilateral and multilateral formats."<ref>[https://asbarez.com/eu-approves-10-million-euros-for-military-aid-to-armenia/ EU Approves 10 Million Euros in Military Assistance to Armenia]</ref><ref>[https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2024/07/22/european-peace-facility-council-adopts-the-first-ever-assistance-measure-in-support-of-the-armenian-armed-forces/ European Peace Facility: Council adopts the first ever assistance measure in support of the Armenian Armed Forces]</ref>

== Peacekeeping operations ==
As of 2022, Armenia is involved in peacekeeping operations in Kosovo, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Mali and Kazakhstan<ref>{{cite web|url=http://armenianow.com/news/63416/armenia_military_peacekeepers_mission_mali|title=DM: Armenian peacekeepers to take part in Mali mission|work=armenianow.com|access-date=13 May 2015|archive-date=18 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518101028/http://armenianow.com/news/63416/armenia_military_peacekeepers_mission_mali|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Kosovo ===
There are 70 Armenian soldiers serving in [[Kosovo]] as peacekeepers.

Armenia joined the [[Kosovo Force]] in Kosovo in 2004. Armenian "blue helmets" serve within the [[Greek Army]] battalion. The relevant memorandum was signed on 3 September 2003, in [[Yerevan]] and ratified by the Armenian Parliament on 13 December 2003. The sixth deployment of Armenian peacekeepers departed for Kosovo on 14 November 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.serbianna.com/news/2006/02761.shtml|title=Armenia to deploy more soldiers to Kosovo|access-date=12 March 2006|archive-date=22 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120222035324/http://www.serbianna.com/news/2006/02761.shtml|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2008, the Armenian National Assembly voted unanimously to double the peacekeeping force in Kosovo by sending an extra 34 peacekeepers to the region, increasing the total number of peacekeepers in the region to 68.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.pr-inside.com/armenia-to-double-its-peacekeepers-contingent-r604186.htm|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120313203235/http://www.pr-inside.com/armenia-to-double-its-peacekeepers-contingent-r604186.htm|url-status=dead|title=Armenia to double its peacekeepers' contingent in Kosovo|archivedate=13 March 2012}}</ref>
Armenia temporarily withdrew its peacekeepers from Kosovo in February 2012 as a result of the reduction of the Greek subdivisions.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://armenpress.am/eng/news/680789|title=Armenian peacekeepers withdrawn from Kosovo|date=21 February 2012|work=armenpress.am|access-date=24 December 2014}}</ref> Armenia redeployed them in July to serve alongside American soldiers in Kosovo.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://armenia.usembassy.gov/news070612.html|title=Embassy News 2012—Embassy of the United States Yerevan, Armenia|access-date=24 December 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151015195534/http://armenia.usembassy.gov/news070612.html|archive-date=15 October 2015}}</ref>

=== Iraq ===
After the end of the [[2003 invasion of Iraq|invasion of Iraq]], Armenia deployed a unit of 46 peacekeepers under [[Poland|Polish]] command. Armenian peacekeepers were based in [[Al-Kut]], {{convert|62|mi|km|order=flip|abbr=on}} from the capital of [[Baghdad]].<ref>{{cite web| url= http://news.monstersandcritics.com/intelandterror/article_1089436.php/Armenias_third_contingent_of_peacekeepers_now_in_Iraq| title= Armenia's third contingent of peacekeepers now in Iraq| access-date= 12 March 2006| archive-date= 29 September 2007| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070929122452/http://news.monstersandcritics.com/intelandterror/article_1089436.php/Armenias_third_contingent_of_peacekeepers_now_in_Iraq| url-status= dead}}</ref> On 23 July 2006, the fourth shift of Armenian peacekeepers departed for Iraq. The shift included 3 staff commanders, 2 medical officers, 10 combat engineers and 31 drivers. Throughout the length of the deployment, there was one Armenian wounded and no deaths. The Armenian government extended the small troop presence in Iraq by one year at the end of 2005 and 2006.<ref>{{cite news|title=Armenian defense minister to visit Iraq as Armenia to extend the small troop presence |url=http://library.aua.am/library/news/archive/2006_11-14.htm |agency=Associated Press |date=13 November 2006 |access-date=20 February 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927211223/http://library.aua.am/library/news/archive/2006_11-14.htm |archive-date=27 September 2007 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=ARMENIAN PEACEKEEPERS TO STAY AN EXTRA YEAR IN IRAQ | url=http://www.azg.am/?lang=EN&num=2005120601 | publisher=AZG Armenian Daily |date=6 December 2005 | access-date=20 February 2007| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070318193724/http://www.azg.am/?lang=EN&num=2005120601| archive-date= 18 March 2007}}</ref> On 7 October 2008, Armenia withdrew its contingent of 46 peacekeepers. This coincided with the withdrawal of the Polish contingent in Iraq.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5jJANqHYIy4fh_F3IKdxJh0t1APQg|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205073822/http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5jJANqHYIy4fh_F3IKdxJh0t1APQg|url-status=dead|title=Armenian troops pull out of Iraq: US military|archivedate=5 December 2008}}</ref>

=== Afghanistan ===
Armenia deployed 130 soldiers in [[Afghanistan]] as part of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). They were serving under [[Germany|German]] command protecting an [[airport]] in [[Kunduz]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mediamax.am/en/news/politics/959/|title=News—mediamax.am|work=mediamax.am|access-date=24 December 2014}}</ref>

=== Lebanon ===
In 2014, Armenia deployed 33 peacekeepers to [[Lebanon]] as part of [[United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon|UNIFIL]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://unifil.unmissions.org/Default.aspx?tabid=11559&language=en-US |title=UNIFIL Troop-Contributing Countries |work=unmissions.org |access-date=12 May 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626104608/http://unifil.unmissions.org/Default.aspx?tabid=11559&language=en-US |archive-date=26 June 2015 }}</ref> Since then, they have served under the [[Italian Army|Italian contingent]] and fulfill headquarter security functions.<ref>{{cite web |title=FSC.EMI/68/22 |url=https://www.osce.org/files/f/documents/0/d/516549.pdf |publisher=[[Permanent Mission of Armenia to the OSCE]] |access-date=16 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221205082004/https://www.osce.org/files/f/documents/0/d/516549.pdf |archive-date=5 December 2022 |date=19 April 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Mali ===
In 2015, one peacekeeper was dispatched to [[Mali]] on a monitoring-peacekeeping mission.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://armenpress.am/eng/news/1002834.html |title=Armenian Armed Forces celebrate 28th anniversary of foundation |work=armenpress.am |access-date=28 January 2020}}</ref>

=== Kazakhstan ===
In 2022, Armenia sent around 100 servicemen to Kazakhstan as part of the [[Collective Security Treaty Organization]] peacekeeping forces. [[Nikol Pashinyan]], who serves as the [[Collective Security Treaty Organization|CSTO]] chairman, confirmed that the alliance will send 'peacekeepers' to Kazakhstan for a limited period given the threat to national security and the sovereignty of Kazakhstan, due to the [[2022 Kazakh protests]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Armenia Sends 70 Soldiers to Kazakhstan as Part of CSTO Pecekeeping Force|url=https://hetq.am/en/article/139760|access-date=2022-01-06|website=Hetq.am|date=6 January 2022 |language=en}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}
* {{CIA World Factbook}}
* {{StateDept}}

== External links ==
* [https://www.mil.am/hy/army Armed Forces of Armenia]

{{Armenia topics}}
{{Armenian Armed Forces}}
{{Military of Asia}}
{{Military of Europe}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Armed Forces of Armenia}}
[[Category:Military of Armenia| ]]