France sends 50 armored combat vehicles

France “won’t let go» Armenia, assured Emmanuel Macron on October 11, following the conquest of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) by Azerbaijan, today accused of “ethnic cleansing“. To prevent a future attack, Paris sent 24 armored front vehicles (VAB), MK3, of the Arquus brand, known as Bastion, reveals Senate report. They should “be joined by 26 other vehicles of the same type currently in production», specifies this report for senatorial opinion published as part of the finance bill for 2024 by Hugues Saury and Hélène Conway-Mouret.

This report confirms the veracity of several images circulating on social media, showing Bastion at the port of Poti, Georgia. These vehicles were transported to Armenia by rail. These 12.5 ton vehicles have a carrying capacity of 10 people, including 8 at the rear, and are equipped with a 12.7mm or 7.62mm machine gun. The armor, however, mainly protects against shrapnel, mines and 7.62mm caliber ammunition.

Catherine Colonna, Minister of Foreign Affairs, had “gave his agreement» for the delivery of military equipment to Armenia «so that she can ensure her defense», on October 3, during his visit to Yerevan, the Armenian capital. In turn, Sébastien Lecornu, the Minister of the Armed Forces, announced a contract between Thalès, the missile manufacturer MBDA and Armenia, on October 23. “There is talk of a delivery of MISTRAL 3 surface-to-air missiles», specifies the senators. “The rapporteurs recommend, in this regard, that the delivery of CAESAR artillery systems be studied as soon as possible taking into account the effectiveness of this equipment and the new production capacities of Nexter in 2024 (production increased from 2 to 6 per month with possible peaks at 8)», concludes the report.

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France accused by Azerbaijan of participating in “a climb»

The Armenian army had acquired three Ground Master (GM200) radars from Thales, which can detect enemy aircraft from 250 kilometers away, whether they fly at low altitude like drones, or at high altitude like fighter jets. On September 26, France announced that it wanted “strengthen its defense cooperation with Armenia.» «A defense attaché will be present at the French embassy in Yerevan“, specified the Quai d’Orsay. These agreements are not to the taste of Azeri President Ilham Aliyev, who accused France of participating in “a climb“. “If a new conflict were to occur in the region, France would be responsible for causing it“, he added.

The southern region of Syunik is openly coveted by Azeri President Ilham Aliyev in order to obtain territorial continuity with the exclave of Nakichevan by creating the “Zanguezour corridor“. Ultimatelyhe would realize an old pan-Turkish dream of “turkish world» which would connect Turkey, Azerbaijan to Central Asia. After the fall of Artsakh in October, many observers are worried about an offensive by Baku in this region.

The 2020 ceasefire agreement, following the victorious Azeri offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh, provided for an Armenian guarantee of economic and transport links between the two parts of Azerbaijan separated by Armenia, via the Syunik. But Baku rejects Armenian sovereignty on this “Zanguezour corridor“. In addition, this region, which also contains copper, zinc and molybdenum, would cut off Yerevan from its Iranian ally. Tehran has made it known that it will protect Armenian territorial integrity.