June 30, 2016 - 12:37 AMT
Armenian parliament ratifies air defense system deal with Russia

With a vote of 102-8 (no abstention), Armenia’s National Assembly on Thursday, June 30 voted to ratify the agreement on creating a joint air defense system with Russia, Yerkir Media reports.

Russia and Armenia on December 23, 2015 signed a collective security deal on a joint regional air defense system in the Caucasus. The agreement was signed by the heads of defense of the two countries, Sergey Shoigu and Seyran Ohanyan.

As Deputy Defense Minister Ara Nazaryan said at the parliament, the deal seeks to improve the air defense system in the Caucasus region.

Earlier on Wednesday, Minister Ohanyan said that under the agreement Armenia will be able to make use of 4th generation multifunctional Russian fighter jets, S-300 missile systems, plus not just air defense but also missile defense facilities.

Read also:Armenia can use Russian jets, S-300s in joint air-defense system: official