Gyumri, Armenia demonstrates the Sukhoi Su-30SM fighter plane that he just bought from Russia.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Defense Minister Davit Tonoyan and other Armenian officials watched at the air base in Gyumri, where the Armenian Su-30SM conducted a flight demonstration conducted by Russian pilots, reports Massispost.
According to the Armenian Prime Minister, the joining of the sophisticated Su-30SM multirole fighter jet that day was considered the main acquisition of Armenia. "This acquisition marks a turning point for the security of Armenia and our people," he added.
The Russian-Armenian contract for delivery of Su-30SM fighter jets was signed earlier this year. The total amount of the acquisition agreement is still unknown.
Earlier in February, Defense Minister Tonoyan said that Armenia plans to buy eight more fighters in the coming years.
The Armenian Air Force did not have a fighter jet until now. Armenia only strengthened 15 or more Su-25 ground attack aircraft.
The Su-30SM can perform a broader range of military tasks with long range weapons and guided with precision. The Su-30SM is a modern version of a heavy fighter jet developed by the Sukhoi company in the late 1980s. The Russian military first commissioned the jet fighter in 2012.
The four fighter planes arrived at Gyumri just days after the Armenian military also began to reinforce the new and sophisticated Tor-M2MK air defense system designed to shoot down planes, cruise missiles, rockets or other drones.
The Defense Ministry in Yerevan said on Monday that the Su-30SM and Tor M2MK would "significantly" strengthen Armenian air defenses.
Russia has always been a major supplier of military equipment to the Armenian army. Its membership in the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) allows Armenia to obtain Russian weapons at 'very cheap' prices and even for free.
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