Monday, November 12 2018 18:50

ArmInfo. And about. Armenian Defense Minister David Tonoyan did not rule out the  acquisition of the most advanced SU-30SM fighters from Russia.  So,  on November 12 at a meeting with journalists Tonoyan? answering the  question about the possible acquisition of the Swedish fighter JAS-39  Gripen production company SAAB, urged not to focus on those proposals  that receive the Armenian side.

<The Ministry of Defense of Armenia studies all incoming proposals, and makes decisions, including analyzing possible delivery times. There is no solution for Swedish  fighters. However, we received a more serious proposal, which is  being studied and on which a decision will be made soon. Negotiations  are underway, including on the timing of possible deliveries, since  we don't have much time, "he said.

To clarify whether we are talking about the Russian ultra-modern  fighters Su-30Sm, Tonoyan, in particular, said: "Maybe". However, he  refused to disclose the details.

In an interview with ArmInfo correspondent, Tonoyan also said that  the fighters would be purchased with funds from the budget. <The bulk  of funds for fighters will be allocated from the budget. We decided  not to buy on credit, "he concluded.

It should be noted that on October 30, in the Armenian media,  information was spread that Sweden offered the Armenian Ministry of  Defense to purchase JAB-39 Gripen fighters manufactured by SAAB. For  the purchase was proposed a party of eight fighters. The estimated  price of one car is approximately 55? 60 million euros, while a  leasing scheme for acquiring airplanes is possible. There is no data  about a specific modification of the fighter. JAS-39 Gripen is a  light fourth-generation single-engine fighter. The aircraft has a  combat radius of 800 km and can carry both high-precision  air-to-surface weapons and air-to-air missiles to fight enemy  fighters. The car has a relatively low cost compared to other Western  counterparts.  Let us note that in the summer of this year, the media  also reported that Moscow wants to supply multifunctional Su-30SM  fighter jets to Yerevan earlier than before 2024. "Shortly before the  change of power in Armenia, the Armenian Defense Ministry postponed  the issue of purchasing Russian Su-30SM multifunctional fighters  until 2024. The contract, which implies the supply of at least one  squadron to the Armenian Air Force, was signed in 2012, but did not  enter into force due to financial difficulties of the customer.  Russia expects to implement the agreement with the new leadership of  Armenia. Premier Nikol Pashinyan sat in the cockpit of the Su-30SM  and called the fighter "one of the best in the world." Talk about the  desire of Armenia to buy the Su-30SM resumed After Nikol Pashinyan  posted a photo on the social network Facebook, in which he is in the  cockpit of the plane located at the Erebuni military airport, he did  not provide any further details, the fact was not commented on by the  Armenian Ministry of Defense.