Armenia has been granted the opportunity to purchase defense technologies from the USA, as reported by Armenia's ambassador to the USA, Narek Mkrtchyan, in an interview with Axios.
“Due to the absence of peace, many opportunities were blocked. As soon as we start implementing the peace agenda, prosperity will come. We are strengthening our sovereignty. We strive for greater independence for Armenia. Greater sovereignty means less dependence on a single player,” Mkrtchyan stated.
Armenia, which has long been armed with Soviet weapons, has begun to form new relationships, including with France and India. They have provided armored vehicles, artillery, and missiles.
Additionally, the visit of U.S. Vice President Jay D. Vance in February, which was the first of its kind, brought information about a deal with V-BAT. These drones, which are also used by Japan, the Netherlands, and Ukraine, are produced by Shield AI.
“Now the door is open. For decades, we have the opportunity to purchase defense technologies from the USA. This is part of our diversification policy. Currently, we are receiving various technologies from more than seven countries, including the USA,” the ambassador added. Mkrtchyan noted that such rapprochement is not intended to harm Armenia's neighbors.
“Our cooperation with the USA, the expansion of our agenda in relations with the USA, or close dialogue with the European Union on various strategically important issues is not directed against Russia, Iran, China, or any other country,” the ambassador stated.
Mkrtchyan also expressed interest in American small modular reactors and the State Department's Pax Silica initiative, which aims to create a U.S.-led supply chain in the fields of artificial intelligence and microchips, pushing out Chinese technologies.
