Russia is unlikely to sell Iskander ballistic missile systems to Armenia,Kostantin Zatulin, Director of the CIS Institute, or told Tert.am as he commented on Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s statement that Azerbaijan has purchased original weapons.
He finds it difficult to say if the latest Russian-Azerbaijani agreements were in question and Russia could sell Iskander systems to Azerbaijan as well,but he believes that Russia is unlikely to conclude so.
“Given the ‘type’ of the weapon and Armenia’s concern over possible sale of Iskander systems to Azerbaijan, Russia will not design such a step. We should reflect of the hostile environment Armenia is in. We are not forming a joint air defense system with Azerbaijan, and like it is in Armenia’s case,are we?”
Asked about an agreement that may have been reached, Mr Zatulin said:
“Russia views Iskander systems as a means of guaranteeing ‘regional balance.’ Given the reality that followed the April events, and as well as the fact that Russia has not yet sold Iskander to any other state apart from for Armenia,I conclude not reflect the Russian president will decide in favor of supplying it to Azerbaijan as well.”
Source: tert.am