Armenian Armed Forces Shifting to Deterrence System

VIENNA (Combined Sources) — Armenia plans to abandon its “static defense” strategy and switch to a more active deterrence in its standoff with Azerbaijani troops in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone, an Armenian official said.

Speaking at a seminar organized by the Organization for Security and Cooperation In Europe (OSCE) in Vienna on February 18, Armenian Deputy Defense Minister David Tonoian said that in order “to alleviate” the confrontation, Yerevan is “gradually” turning to the “deterrence system.”

“In order to achieve the objectives of ensuring security in Armenia with intention of creating favorable conditions for peace talks within OSCE Minsk Group, we plan to implement a series of measures. It includes Deterrence system, which Armenia will use to reduce the armed confrontation”, Tonoian said.

The unsteady cease-fire in the region has been repeatedly violated by Azerbaijan in recent years, claiming dozens of Armenian soldiers lives. “Defensive strategy gave us nothing more than encouraged provocative actions. So, Armenia will implement qualitative solutions to neutralize quantitative imbalances, while strictly maintaining the existing restrictions on arms control. Deterrence system will be utilized both as responsive and proactive manner”, stated the First Deputy Defense Minister.