Azernews.Az

Armenia held a military parade showcasing scores of military machinery in the capital Yerevan on Wednesday.

Over 300 combat vehicles were reportedly displayed at the independence parade, which was joined by 4,000 servicemen, including those from Russia’s military base in Armenia.

Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan greeted the Russian servicemen in their native language in his opening speech at the parade.

Besides military machinery, Armenia displayed Russian-made Tochka-U tactical missile launchers, Smerch firing systems, operational-tactical 9K72 Elbrus missile systems and S-300 anti-aircraft missile launchers, as well as heavy artillery, anti-tank rocket launchers, air defense systems and spy drones.

The independence parade was marred by tension, as the police in central Yerevan quelled a protest march against the Russian troops' presence at the event.

The crowd headed towards the Republican Square, chanting slogans "Free, Independent Armenia".

Levon Barseghyan, the initiator of the campaign, told reporters that Russia's commitments to Armenia, under an intergovernmental agreement, are restricted only to protecting the Armenian-Turkish border.

"We are against waving the Russian flag at our independence parade, but we have nothing against the agreement," he said.

Russia’s Regnum news agency concluded based on its analysis of the showcased military machinery and weaponry that the parade held this summer by the armed forces of Azerbaijan, Armenia’s long-time foe, was more impressive than the one held in Yerevan.

Regnum said Armenia particularly lags behind Azerbaijan in terms of its air force.

"The fighter jets [displayed in the Armenian capital] did not draw the attention," the report said. "Only Su-25 planes, Mi-24 and Mi-8 helicopters hovered above the Republican Square. If we take this into consideration, the regional balance in terms of warplanes is on Azerbaijan’s side."

Regnum said that Azerbaijan gained the advantage by acquiring Su-25 and MiG-29 planes in recent years. "Azerbaijan remains the only country in the region possessing modern fighter jets," the news agency said. But it noted that such warplanes are available at the Russian military base in Gyumri and are guarding Armenia’s airspace.

Regarding unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), the report said Azerbaijan has spy drones purchased from Israel, the world’s leading drone manufacturer, while Armenia has domestically produced Krunk drones.

According to Regnum, Azerbaijan has taken the lead over Armenia on missile launchers as well.

"On this type of weaponry, the balance of forces is on Azerbaijan’s side too, because the country has bought 12 Ukraine-made Smerch missile systems, and has Uragan multiple rocket launchers as well."

Azerbaijan's Ministry of Defense Industry is reportedly expected to complete manufacturing 60 small Orbiter UAVs and Aerostar tactical UAVs by the end of 2011.

Azerbaijan unveiled its new drones at the military parade in June amid continuing tensions over Nagorno Karabakh, which Armenian separatists backed by Yerevan invaded in the 1990s war, along with seven surrounding regions.

Azerbaijani armed forces will also acquire unmanned combat air vehicles (UCAV) in the next few years, APA news agency quoted military sources as saying earlier. The UCAVs, capable of destroying enemy targets, will be produced at local facilities.