Styopa Safaryan, the head of the Armenian Center of International and Security Affairs.
The mobile air defense system Iron Dome, which Azerbaijan is going to purchase from Israel, will be used as a psychological tool by the country’s government for mitigating public sentiments, according Styopa Safaryan, the head of the Armenian Center of International and Security Affairs.
Speaking to Tert.am, the expert said he believes that the Azerbaijani struck the deal to acquire the powerful system as a counter-balance to 9K720 Iskander, the short range Russian ballistic missile system showcased at Armenia’s recent independence parade.
“I think it is basically designed to ensure anti-air defense in border settlements. The April war made Azerbaijan fear its possible defeat due to a poor geographic location. The Iron Dome cannot be effective against the Iskander rockets, but it may work in the case of short-range rockets,” he explained.Asked to comment on Armenia’s possible diplomatic impact on the US$5m worth military transaction, Safaryan said, “Ever since they launched the arms race back in the 2000s, I have always insisted on finding possible ways to avert it. Armenia was slow, unfortunately, a little bit. Over the past years, the sides have acquired a considerable quantity of weapons; hence, no wonder at all that the region is now treated as a ‘gunpowder barrel’, as one of the most militarized regions across the globe. Azerbaijan has already struck large-scale military deals with not only Israel but also Russia. So the issue shouldn’t have been raised now, given especially that Azerbaijan has concluded an agreement with our strategic ally. It should have been raised from the outset, especially at the international tribunals to have a restrictive value,” he added.
Azerbaijan’s plan to purchase the Iron Dome was announced recently by the country’s minister of defense, Yavar Jamalov.