Russian MoD: Russia and Armenia may soon establish joint military force
Rossiyskaya Gazeta, commenting on the visit of Russian Minister of Defense Sergey Shoygu to Armenia, wrote that after the meeting of the Defense Ministers of Armenia and Russia in Yerevan, Russian Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov said that Moscow and Yerevan may soon reach an agreement on the establishment of a group of joint military forces, Radio Azatutyun reported.
The Press Secretary of the Armenian Ministry of Defense Artsrun Hovhannisyan said in an interview with Radio Libery that Antonov’s words address modifying a joint force that already exists.
"There are some changes are being made in terms of its size and functions, this is a process of dynamic development, it has been carried out over the years," Hovhannisyan said. Meanwhile, Rossiyskaya Gazeta writes that the agreement has not yet been signed and the military has not disclosed details about what specific units will be included in this group.
According to the newspaper, the combined group will be located on the territory of Armenia, and will include the 4th Armenian Army Corps and the 102nd Russian military base.
Earlier this year, Moscow and Yerevan signed an agreement to establish a unified air defense system based in Armenia.
Shoygu arrived in Yerevan after visiting Baku, where he discussed military and technical cooperation with Azerbaijani authorities.