France is helping Armenia to improve its air defence capacity with the sale of three radars and an agreement on the future delivery of Mistral anti-air missiles, Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu said on Monday.
France has announced its support for Armenia’s efforts to enhance its air defense capabilities through the sale of three Ground Master 200 (GM200) radar systems and an agreement for the future delivery of Mistral anti-air missiles. This collaboration also includes French support for training Armenia’s ground defense forces, establishing a robust air defense system, and assistance in the ongoing process of military reform and modernization
The move comes weeks after Armenia’s arch regional foe Azerbaijan retook the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh in a lightning offensive, prompting the exodus of most of the territory’s 120,000 ethnic Armenian residents.
The two ministers signed off on the sale of three Thales-made GM 200 radars, which France has also provided to Ukraine, and signed a memorandum of understanding on the future delivery of France’s Mistral short-range air defence system.
France will also help Armenia train ground defence forces and support the country’s efforts to reform and modernise its military, Lecornu said.
France hosts one of the world’s largest Armenian diasporas and seeks to present itself as an ally and diplomatic backer, especially as Yerevan’s relations with its traditional ally Russia have soured in recent months.