Russia to Complete Weapons Transfer to Azerbaijan by 2016

YEREVAN (Combined Sources)—Russia will complete delivery of military equipment and weapons to Azerbaijan by next year in accordance with a bilateral treaty between the two nations, TASS news agency reports. Experts say the cost of the weapons agreement will amount to $1 billion.

According to the Russian Center for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies, Russia has sold BMP-3 armored vehicles to Azerbaijan and plans on completing the transfer by 2016. About 50 vehicles will be delivered to Azerbaijan this year.

Earlier this year, reports emerged that Russia would complete delivery of T-90s tanks to Azerbaijan, and that by 2017, Russia will deliver a large quantity of arms in compliance with an agreement signed in 2010.

Igor Sevastyanov, deputy general director of Rosoboronexport, Russia’s state intermediary agency for the trade of defense-related products, announced that arms orders of Russian equipment and ammunition for ground forces from foreign countries now exceeds $12 billion.

“Deliveries of BMP-3 to Azerbaijan will be completed in 2016. This year, it is estimated that Russia will deliver about 50 vehicles to Azerbaijan,” a representative of the agency said during the opening of the Russia Arms Expo 2015.

According to media reports, the estimated 100 tanks and armored vehicles will be delivered to three Azerbaijani battalions and includes self-propelled artillery, multiple rocket launchers, and heavy flamethrower systems.
[asbarez.com]
9/9/15