The Mi-35 helicopters delivered to Azerbaijan by Russia will be destroyed by the Russian air defense system if used against the Armenian Armed Forces, military expert Armen Mikayelyan has told ArmInfo. Earlier APA reported with reference Rosoboronexport that Russia had delivered a large batch of Mi-35M helicopters ordered by Azerbaijan in accordance with the schedule. APA also reported that the other helicopters were being produced and tested and that the next batch of helicopters would be delivered to Azerbaijan in the near future.
Mikayelyan thinks that though the given helicopters are quite effective and strong weapons meant to destroy the armored hardware, nevertheless, one should not forget that the Armenian air defense system is also strong and effective and it was also produced in Russia. The expert thinks that it would be reasonable for the military leadership of Armenia to upgrade Armenia's helicopter fleet. "Unfortunately, the Armenian army has only a few Mi-24. This gap should be filled by all means", he says. He also expresses hope that this problem will be solved during the further talks with Russia. One should not forget either that the helicopters of the Russian air forces will soon be dislocated in Erebuni Airport in Yerevan, he says.
When asked to explain the actions of Moscow, which arms the enemy of its strategic ally on the one hand and makes statements on creation of a common air defense system with Armenia on the other hand, Mikayelyan stresses that one should take into account some political circumstance though he is not inclined to justify Russia's steps. "Russia has set itself a task to retrieve its impact in the post-Soviet area, and in this context Azerbaijan as a sales market for Russian arms is a tasty morsel for Moscow. Nevertheless, one cannot speak of any misbalance between Armenian and Azeri forces today. Purchasing helicopters is not enough; it is also necessary to be able to manipulate them. In this context, our neighbors' professionalism leaves much to be desired", says Mikayelyan.