Armenian Defense Ministry on Purchasing Drones from Iran

The Armenian Ministry of Defense has declined to comment on the issue of purchasing Iranian drones in response to a query from Sputnik Armenia. The media outlet asked whether Yerevan has submitted a request to purchase Iranian drones, if there are discussions regarding such possibilities, and whether Armenia sees any obstacles in acquiring unmanned aerial vehicles and other armaments from the Islamic Republic.

“The provision of information is refused based on point 1 of article 8 of the Republic of Armenia Law on Freedom of Information and the requirements of point 19 of the list established by the Government of Armenia Decision No. 173 of March 19, 1998,” the response stated.

In the first case, it refers to the refusal to disclose information containing “state, service, banking, or trade secrets.” In the second case, a list of confidential data is defined. Point 19 pertains to “the volumes of state defense orders, the supply of armaments and military equipment, and information revealing their production capacity programs (assignments).”

Previously, in response to a question about whether Armenia had requested to purchase drones from Tehran, the Iranian Consul General in Kapan, Abedin Varamini, suggested directing the inquiry to the defense authorities.