YEREVAN, JUNE 20, ARMENPRESS. The new authorities of Armenia, the Defense Ministry have set a task to develop the sphere of aviation, Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia Armen Grigoryan told RFE/RL's Armenian Service, commenting on Kommersant’s information, according to which the Armenian air forces can soon be replenished with Russian multifunctional jets.

“The new authorities of Armenia have set a task to develop the aviation. Currently a number of options are discussed. I think a final conclusion will be made very soon to understand our resources and the ways of using them aimed at reinforcing the Armenian army”, ARMENPRESS reports Armen Grigoryan as saying.

Kommersant newspaper published an article recently, according to which Russia has intentions to supply Armenia with Su-30SM fighter jets.

It’s mentioned that before the power change in Armenia the leadership of the country cancelled the purchase of multifunctional Su-30SM jets until 2024. The contract between the sides had been signed in 2012, but never entered into force. The newspaper informs that Russia plans to implement the contract with the new authorities of Armenia.  It’s mentioned that Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan has already been inside Su-30SM and called the fighter jet one of the best in the world.

The newspaper writes that talks about Armenia's desire to acquire Su-30SM jets started after the Armenian PM posted a photo on his Facebook page inside the jet in Yerevan’s Erebuni airport.

Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan