Armenia may purchase up to 16 Su-30SM fighters from Russia – Defense Ministry
YEREVAN. Feb 19
The Armenian Defense Ministry has not ruled out the possibility of purchasing 16 Sukhoi Su-30SM multi-role fighter aircraft from Russia.
"I cannot name the exact figures. The defense minister also did not provide the exact figures, did not say that Armenia is intending to buy just 12 aircraft. That is a minimal amount we considering. It is a squadron. It could consist of ten, 12 or 16 aircraft. It's difficult to name the exact figures, but we can't rule anything out," Armenian Defense Ministry spokesperson Artsrun Hovhannisyan told Radio Liberty's Armenian-language service on Tuesday.
When asked whether the jet fighters are being purchased through the 100-million-dollar defense loan provided by Russia, Hovhannisyan replied that Armenia is purchasing military equipment using not only the loan.
"It would be wrong if I let it be known what equipment is being purchased with what funds. But, in general, military equipment is being purchased not only through the loan, but also at our expense," the Armenian Defense Ministry spokesperson said.
Armenian Defense Minister Davit Tonoyan said earlier that Armenia does not plan on limiting itself to purchasing four Su-30SM multi-role jet fighters from Russia.
"We will not limit ourselves to four jet fighters," Tonoyan told reporters on February 13.
"The four planes have yet to be delivered to Armenia, and they will be in due course," he said.