Reuters
May 28 2026
By Reuters
YEREVAN, May 28 (Reuters) – Armenia held a Soviet-style military parade on Thursday, showcasing its growing stocks of foreign-made equipment just over a week before a parliamentary election and at a time of rising tensions with traditional ally Russia.
The parade was the first to feature heavy weaponry and be held on Yerevan’s main square since 2016, according to Armenian media, and was denounced by government critics as pre-election political theatre.
Air defence systems from India, artillery systems and armoured personnel carriers from France, drones made in Armenia, and rocket launchers from Russia were on show as crowds looked on.
Armenia, host to Russian military bases and a member of a Russian-led economic union, has deepened ties with the West under Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who is running for a third term in the June 7 vote.
That has angered Russia which has warned Yerevan it will suspend or terminate the supply of cheap oil, gas and rough diamonds if Armenia presses ahead with its bid to join the European Union.
Armenia’s main defence supplier has historically been Russia. But in recent years Yerevan has diversified its military procurement to include countries like India and France.
—