Azeri military stronger than Armenian, British think-tank`s report shows
An assessment of the armed forces of Azerbaijan and
Armenia - the two South Caucasus republics locked in long-standing
conflict - has been drawn up by a London-based think-tank in its
annual report evaluating military potential of 170 countries
worldwide.The Military Balance 2009 report released by the
International Institute for Strategic Studies says Azerbaijan has
an army of about 67,000 men, while Armenia`s army has only 42,000,
or about 35 per cent less.
According to the report, Azerbaijan also surpasses Armenia for the number of reserve forces available for mobilization, with 300,000 against 200,000 in the neighboring country. Most of the weaponry used by the two militaries is Russian-made.
Moreover, Azerbaijan commands three times more tanks and armored vehicles than Armenia, possessing 320 and 470 items respectively. As for BMP combat vehicles, the difference is rather insignificant with 127 against 104.
The report also noted that Azerbaijan has 47 warplanes, a three-fold supremacy over Armenia. Both countries have mostly MIG-25, SU-24 and SU-25 fighter jets.
Besides, Azerbaijan has six up-to-date drones of the Aerostar and Orbiter models. Armenia has no such aircraft, at all.
With regard to rocket launchers, the report estimated that Grad facilities account for most of both countries` arsenal, but Azerbaijan also has 12 more up-to-date Smerch launchers, which were granted to the disposal of the Soviet troops in 1989.
Regarding anti-tank weapons, Azerbaijan has about a ten-fold supremacy over Armenia.
The two countries fought a lengthy war that ended with the signing of a cease-fire in 1994, but Armenia continues to occupy Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh and seven other Azerbaijani districts in defiance of international law. Peace talks have not yet resulted in resolving the conflict.
Azerbaijani military expert Arif Yunus says Azerbaijan`s military power is indeed greater than that of Armenia. He pointed out, however, that Azerbaijan`s land is under occupation, and if the Azerbaijani army moves to free Upper Garabagh and adjacent districts, it could face tremendous losses. According to Yunus, this projection is not only because of military theories, as the attacker should have at least three times more power than the defending side, but also because the relief of Garabagh has peculiarities that could favor Armenian forces.
"Since Garabagh is a mountainous area, at times it is possible to block a tank`s movement by means of just several mines. Operating warplanes in the mountains is also complicated. Possibly, there wouldn`t be major problems for the Azerbaijani troops in the Aghdam and Fuzuli districts, but the task could prove daunting in mountainous areas. Therefore, it`s not the quantity but the quality of the Azerbaijani troops that should be the main factor here and, in that sense, the capacities of the two countries are about the same," the expert maintained.
Yunus also stressed that the British think-tank had not taken into account the military forces controlled by the self-proclaimed regime operating in Upper Garabagh.
Further, he recalled the recent transfer of Russian arms and military equipment, worth $800 million to Armenia, that has drawn fire from Azerbaijan and sparked controversy. He alleged that if military action breaks out with Azerbaijan, it is not ruled out that Russian forced based in Armenia might provide assistance to the Armenian military.
It is considered important that the International Institute for Strategic Studies indicated that there are 3,000 Russian forces in Armenia, along with 74 tanks, 18 modern MiG-29 warplanes and, finally, S-300 rockets.
Azerbaijan keeps secret the quantity of its arms, but the commander-in-chief, President Ilham Aliyev, has repeatedly said the country`s military stands ready to liberate the occupied territories any time.
According to the report, Azerbaijan also surpasses Armenia for the number of reserve forces available for mobilization, with 300,000 against 200,000 in the neighboring country. Most of the weaponry used by the two militaries is Russian-made.
Moreover, Azerbaijan commands three times more tanks and armored vehicles than Armenia, possessing 320 and 470 items respectively. As for BMP combat vehicles, the difference is rather insignificant with 127 against 104.
The report also noted that Azerbaijan has 47 warplanes, a three-fold supremacy over Armenia. Both countries have mostly MIG-25, SU-24 and SU-25 fighter jets.
Besides, Azerbaijan has six up-to-date drones of the Aerostar and Orbiter models. Armenia has no such aircraft, at all.
With regard to rocket launchers, the report estimated that Grad facilities account for most of both countries` arsenal, but Azerbaijan also has 12 more up-to-date Smerch launchers, which were granted to the disposal of the Soviet troops in 1989.
Regarding anti-tank weapons, Azerbaijan has about a ten-fold supremacy over Armenia.
The two countries fought a lengthy war that ended with the signing of a cease-fire in 1994, but Armenia continues to occupy Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh and seven other Azerbaijani districts in defiance of international law. Peace talks have not yet resulted in resolving the conflict.
Azerbaijani military expert Arif Yunus says Azerbaijan`s military power is indeed greater than that of Armenia. He pointed out, however, that Azerbaijan`s land is under occupation, and if the Azerbaijani army moves to free Upper Garabagh and adjacent districts, it could face tremendous losses. According to Yunus, this projection is not only because of military theories, as the attacker should have at least three times more power than the defending side, but also because the relief of Garabagh has peculiarities that could favor Armenian forces.
"Since Garabagh is a mountainous area, at times it is possible to block a tank`s movement by means of just several mines. Operating warplanes in the mountains is also complicated. Possibly, there wouldn`t be major problems for the Azerbaijani troops in the Aghdam and Fuzuli districts, but the task could prove daunting in mountainous areas. Therefore, it`s not the quantity but the quality of the Azerbaijani troops that should be the main factor here and, in that sense, the capacities of the two countries are about the same," the expert maintained.
Yunus also stressed that the British think-tank had not taken into account the military forces controlled by the self-proclaimed regime operating in Upper Garabagh.
Further, he recalled the recent transfer of Russian arms and military equipment, worth $800 million to Armenia, that has drawn fire from Azerbaijan and sparked controversy. He alleged that if military action breaks out with Azerbaijan, it is not ruled out that Russian forced based in Armenia might provide assistance to the Armenian military.
It is considered important that the International Institute for Strategic Studies indicated that there are 3,000 Russian forces in Armenia, along with 74 tanks, 18 modern MiG-29 warplanes and, finally, S-300 rockets.
Azerbaijan keeps secret the quantity of its arms, but the commander-in-chief, President Ilham Aliyev, has repeatedly said the country`s military stands ready to liberate the occupied territories any time.
Here we are to serve you with news right now. It does not cost much, but worth your attention.
Choose to support open, independent, quality journalism and subscribe on a monthly basis.
By subscribing to our online newspaper, you can have full digital access to all news, analysis, and much more.
Subscribe
You can also follow AzerNEWS on Twitter @AzerNewsAz or Facebook @AzerNewsNewspaper
Thank you!