Ex-President’s office: peace demands readiness for war

PanARMENIAN.Net - The Office of Armenia’s third President Serzh Sargsyan has released an analysis concerning the armament of the Armed Forces, a planned military development strategy, its post-2018 breakdown, and possible alternative outcomes to war.

According to the statement, since 1994, defense officials have consistently assumed the possibility of military action or war.

The analysis emphasizes that the principle “if you want peace, prepare for war” remains relevant today.

It notes that:

• Design work on drones began in Armenia in 2014,
• A seven-year development plan for the Armed Forces was approved after 2016, with defined reform timelines and secured financial sources,
• By 2016, prototypes of reconnaissance drones existed, though not yet for combat,
• During the April War, enemy forces used combat drones; the Armenian military adapted quickly and responded effectively,
• Over 3,000 drones were planned for acquisition by 2020 with secured funding,
• Part of the funds from the privatization of the Vorotan Cascade was allocated for this purpose,
• After 2018, these funds were spent on other armaments, which proved ineffective during the 44-day war,
• Had the earlier plans been implemented, the course of the conflict could have been different,
• Stronger defenses might have prompted a worthy response.