Soldier is guarantor of victory in battle – Armenia’s defense minister

However strained and hard the half of this year was, Armenia’s Armed Forces accomplished their tasks with credit, Armenia’s Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan told reporters during his trip to a post in the north-western direction.

“This year our motto has been ‘Well-trained commander, skilled army, secure homeland’ and we have declared this year a year of commander training. It means that emphasis will be placed on improving commanders’ knowledge and skills,” Mr Ohanyan said.

“By creating national and international guarantees by properly organizing defense of borders and combat duty, we ensured the Armenian people’s security,” Mr Ohanyan said.

Elaborating on national guarantees, the minister said that Armenia’s politico-military leadership is placing emphasis on the factors that ensure victory in battle.

First of all, it is the soldier, with ammunition and military equipment to follow. Manning remains the top priority.

“We have organized fairer conscription. I note consistent initiatives here,” Mr Ohanyan said.

This year, Armenia’s Armed Forces, in cooperation with the OSCE Yerevan office, will organize training for young people of pre-induction age and, later, with conscripts.

“Especially in terms of adaptation, stress and conflict settlement. Of course, military education is one of the major fields,” Mr Ohanyan said.

Armenia’s Armed forces are involved in different programs in Afghanistan, Kosovo, Lebanon. Cooperation in Mali is planned. Armenia’s Armed forces are also members of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO).

“Military education is one of the major areas of cooperation, which enables raising the level of our military education by means of international standards.

“As part of our military-technical cooperation we are purchasing modern military equipment. You know our military cooperation agreement with Russia allows us to develop this cooperation. That is, we can now sign direct contacts with different organizations producing military equipment and establish joint organizations,” Mr Ohanyan said.

Domestic military production is in the spotlight: the state defnse industry committee has been formed, with a deputy minister appointed.