{"id":17134,"date":"2022-10-03T06:27:25","date_gmt":"2022-10-03T06:27:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/?p=17134"},"modified":"2022-10-03T06:29:31","modified_gmt":"2022-10-03T06:29:31","slug":"armenia-india-military-cooperation-and-changing-geo-strategic-dimensions-of-south-caucasus-by-dr-mehmood-ul-hassan-khan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/armenia-india-military-cooperation-and-changing-geo-strategic-dimensions-of-south-caucasus-by-dr-mehmood-ul-hassan-khan\/","title":{"rendered":"Armenia & India Military Cooperation and Changing Geo-Strategic Dimensions of South Caucasus -by-Dr Mehmood Ul Hassan Khan"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"Dr Mehmood Ul Hassan Khan, Executive Director: The Center for South Asia & International Studies (CSAIS), Islamabad, Regional Expert: Azerbaijan & South Caucasus \/ 02 Oct 2022
\n<\/strong><\/em><\/h5>\n
\"\"The ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict has now entered into a \u201cdecisive phase\u201d. The most <\/strong>recent speech of Russian president Putin clearly signaled a \u201cnegotiated settlement\u201d in <\/strong>which Turkey may play an important role. However, interestingly by \u201csigning a deal\u201d for the supply of the latest military equipment from India, the \u201cwarmongerings\u201d of Armenia and India have now reached to a \u201cstrategic level\u201d which would change the security equation in South Caucasus. Both countries enjoy a treaty of friendship and cooperation signed in 1995.<\/strong><\/span><\/h5>\n
According to the Indian news outlet Economic Times (September 29, 2022) Armenia
\nordered heavy weapons from India worth an estimated $245 million. It includes missiles,
\nrockets and ammunition amid escalating tension between Armenia and Azerbaijan over
\nthe Karabakh region, which was largely liberated by the armed forces of Azerbaijan from
\nArmenian illegal occupation in late 2020.<\/h5>\n
The Economic Times said the order also includes the first ever export of the indigenous
\nPinaka multi-barrel rocket launchers that are also used by the Indian army, as well as
\nanti-tank rockets and a range of ammunition.<\/h5>\n
Furthermore, India in 2020 had also supplied four Swathi radars to Armenia during the
\nKarabakh war with Azerbaijan. The deal was significant because Russian and Polish
\nvendors were also in the race to sell radars to Armenia. However, Armenia was
\ndefeated and a peace treaty was brokered by Russia and T\u00fcrkiye.<\/h5>\n
Armenia illegally occupied Karabakh and seven adjacent regions Lachin, Kalbajar,<\/span>
\nAghdam, Fuzuli, Jabrayil, Qubadli, and Zangilan territories internationally recognized as<\/span>
\npart of Azerbaijan since 1991. Moreover, Armenia has had been indulged in systematic<\/span>
\nethnical discrimination, racial genocides, and socio-economic marginalization of<\/span>
\npeaceful people of Azerbaijan living in these areas for centuries. However, 44 days<\/span>
\nPatriotic War of 2020 proved \u201clethal\u201d to all the conspiracies of Armenia and all these<\/span>
\nareas were subsequently \u201cliberated\u201d.<\/span><\/h5>\n
In the near past, Armenia \u201cwaged a war\u201d against peaceful Azerbaijan and started large-scale \u201cclashes\u201d in the Karabakh region on Sept. 27, 2020. The Armenian army launched
\nattacks on civilians and Azerbaijani forces, violating several humanitarian cease-fires
\nagreements.<\/h5>\n
On its part, Azerbaijan’s armed forces launched a counter-offensive operation, later
\ndubbed \u201cIron Fist,\u201d which led to the 44-day conflict ending with the liberation of
\nAzerbaijani lands from the occupation of the Armenian forces. The fighting ended with a
\ndeal brokered by Russia.<\/h5>\n
Most recently, during the month of September 2022, Armenia has once again \u201cspoiled\u201d<\/span>
\nthe trilateral peace agreement by violating border security. Furthermore, Armenia<\/span>
\ncontinued its \u201cmilitary misadventures\u201d against Azerbaijan forces and civilians through<\/span>
\nintensive mortars firing on the deployment positions of the Azerbaijani Army in Kalbajar,<\/span>
\nLachin, Dashkesan, and Gadabay fronts during the last few months which spoiled the<\/span>
\npeace agreement. Nevertheless, Azerbaijan showed great restraint.<\/span><\/h5>\n
The situation remained tense at the borders. According to the latest official news, more than 70 soldiers were martyred in unprovoked attacks by Armenia. Armenia also approached
\nthe Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) against the so-called external
\naggression of Azerbaijan but failed miserably. It also approached the EU and cried for
\nhelp but did not receive any pledges because of its fascist scheme of arrangements.<\/h5>\n
The Indian external affairs minister S Jaishankar had a meeting with Armenian foreign
\nminister Arara Mirzoyan during the 77th session of the UN General Assembly in New
\nYork 2022. During the meeting on 24th September, Armenian minister Mirzoyan briefed
\nabout the military situation on borders. Afterward, both countries signed a military deal.<\/h5>\n
India is now set to export missiles, rockets, and ammunition to Armenia. Among other<\/strong><\/span>
\nthings, India will also export the indigenous Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launchers to<\/strong><\/span>
\nArmenia to aid the nation against Azerbaijan. It will be the first export of the Pinaka<\/strong><\/span>
\nrocket launchers.<\/strong><\/span><\/h5>\n
For diversifying its military exports, India is following a new paradigm \u201cMake In India\u201d
\nand its government is actively assisting in securing international military orders. The
\nModi government has set a target to sell defence systems worth Rs.35,000 crore
\noverseas by 2025.<\/h5>\n
Pinaka rocket launchers are already in service of the Indian army and will be exported
\nto Armenia were designed by the Armament Research and Development Establishment
\n(ARDE) under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).\u00a0 Pinaka
\nmulti-barrel rocket launching system (MBRL) can fire a salvo of 12 HE rockets in 44
\nseconds.<\/h5>\n
The rocket launchers are mounted on Tata trucks. Each Pinaka battery has six
\nlaunchers, 12 rockets, and the DIGICORA MET radar. Each of the launchers can fire in
\nseparate directions, as they have their own computers allowing them to function
\nindependently. All the launchers can be fired at once, or only some of them can be fired,
\nas per requirement.<\/h5>\n
It seems that the \u201cgeo-strategic dimensions\u201d of the South Caucasus are going to be changed
\nand \u201cre-adjusted\u201d very soon. The trans-regional military deal of Armenia and India has
\nnumerous \u201cspillover\u201d geopolitical and geostrategic \u201crepercussions\u201d for the region and
\nbeyond. The new military partnership between two \u201chegemonic countries\u201d is a wake-up call for Azerbaijan, T\u00fcrkiye, and even Pakistan having a trilateral security dialogue.<\/h5>\n
The Indian Pinaka missile launcher is the first-ever indigenously developed military<\/strong><\/span>
\nequipment to be sold to a foreign nation. Additionally, it is expected that Armenia-<\/strong><\/span>
\nIndia deal will have a significant geopolitical impact on Armenia, Azerbaijan, and India<\/strong><\/span>
\nand its neighbors as well, since it will directly involve India in the struggle against<\/strong><\/span>
\nAzerbaijan that has close ties with T\u00fcrkiye and Pakistan.<\/strong><\/span><\/h5>\n
Right from the beginning, the government of Pakistan took a \u201cprincipled stance\u201d and did
\nnot \u201crecognize\u201d Armenia because of its \u201cfascist\u201d conduct and illegal occupation of
\nKarabakh region. Both countries have been supporting each other on the issues of
\nKashmir and Karabakh on different regional as well as international forums. Moreover,
\nPakistan rigorously participated in the \u201cThree Brothers Joint Military Drill\u201d during 2021<\/h5>\n
which further strengthened the scope of bilateral and trilateral military cooperation among
\nthe three brothers.<\/h5>\n
The same is the case with T\u00fcrkiye which has been \u201cnurturing\u201d Azerbaijan since its
\nindependence through moral, political, economic, and military means. During 44 days
\npatriotic war, Ankara\u00a0 vastly increased its military cooperation with Baku and supplied its
\narmed Bayraktar TB2 drones that Azerbaijan used to devastating effect against
\nArmenian ground forces.<\/h5>\n
Moreover, the Turkish and Azerbaijani air forces launched the \u201cTurAz Qartal\u0131 2022\u201d &amp;
\n\u201cTurAz Eagle 2022\u201d joint flight-tactical exercises. According to the Azerbaijani Defense
\nMinistry &quot; the study of interaction and combat interoperability, as well as the carrying out of search-and-rescue measures, will be fulfilled during the exercises\u201d.<\/h5>\n
Turkish defense industry representatives revealed their future plans to use joint
\nproduction of cutting-edge military equipment. Turkish Defence Industry Minister
\nIsmail Demir said relevant negotiations were underway with the Azerbaijani authorities
\nto team up for the production of aircraft. Selcuk Bayraktar, CEO of the Turkish Baykar
\nTechnology Company, which produces Bayraktar and AKINCI combat drones, also
\nconfirmed its interest in developing and manufacturing cutting-edge aerial devices
\nin Azerbaijan.<\/h5>\n
Interestingly, the Minister of Defense Industry termed the development of cooperation with
\nT\u00fcrkiye, Israel and Pakistan essential priorities of the Military Industrial Complex of
\nAzerbaijan which has great geostrategic significance.<\/h5>\n
Azerbaijan&#39;s relations with T\u00fcrkiye have now entered a \u201cnew phase\u201d following
\nthe signing of the \u201cShusha Declaration\u201d in the Azerbaijani city of Shusha on June 15, 2021.
\nThe\u00a0 Shusha Declaration \u00a0addresses coordinated and joint Turkish-Azerbaijani activities
\nin the event of a threat or aggression by a third state or states against the
\nindependence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, inviolability of the internationally
\nrecognized borders, or security of each countries.<\/h5>\n
Pakistan, T\u00fcrkiye and Azerbaijan also signed the \u201cBaku Declaration\u201d which emphasized the<\/em><\/span>
\nneed to strengthen cooperation among the three countries, based on cultural and<\/em><\/span>
\nhistorical ties, mutual respect and confidence. It also emphasized T\u00fcrkiye, Azerbaijan<\/em><\/span>
\nand Pakistan&#39;s roles in building peace, stability and development in their regions.<\/em><\/span>
\nTo conclude, Azerbaijan, T\u00fcrkiye and Pakistan should further strengthen their \u201csecurity<\/em><\/span>
\ncooperation\u201d. Both countries showed \u201csolidarity\u201d and \u201csupported\u201d Azerbaijan during the<\/em><\/span>
\n44-day war against the Armenian armed forces during 2020.<\/em><\/span><\/h5>\n
Good thing is that, Azerbaijan, Pakistan, and T\u00fcrkiye maintain a \u201crobust trilateral
\nrelationship\u201d that is increasingly important to the security, economic, and diplomatic
\ninterests of all three countries.<\/h5>\n
The \u201cwar theater\u201d of the South Caucasus has now become more complex and complicated
\nas India elected to become more pronounced in its support of Armenia while keeping its
\n\u201c principled position \u201d on the Karabakh issue.<\/h5>\n
After\u00a0 a new round of border clashes \u00a0between Armenia and Azerbaijan on September
\n13-14 2022, India\u2019s foreign ministry, referring to Azerbaijan,\u00a0 called upon \u00a0the aggressor
\nside to immediately cease hostilities. Now military deal between India and Armenia has
\nworsened the geostrategic situation in the region.<\/h5>\n
On the other hand, in August 2022, Azerbaijan\u2019s National Defence University and<\/strong><\/span>
\nPakistan\u2019s National Management College discussed possible areas of cooperation in<\/strong><\/span>
\nthe field of military education. Hopefully, the military, military-technical, and military-<\/strong><\/span>
\neducational spheres will be further strengthened between both countries. Baku is also interested in Pakistan\u2019s\u00a0 JF-17 fighter jets (latest version) as one of the best<\/strong><\/span>
\noptions to boost its post-war air force capabilities.\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/h5>\n
Critical analysis reveals that T\u00fcrkiye and Pakistan can do more to help Azerbaijan to
\nfurther \u201cmodernize\u201d and \u201ctrain\u201d its armed forces.\u00a0 Seemingly, peaceful trilateral military
\ncooperation is \u201cgetting momentum\u201d among T\u00fcrkiye Pakistan and Azerbaijan. One<\/h5>\n
aspect of this trilateral cooperation is military-to-military relations and improving the
\ncombat readiness of the Azerbaijani army and contributing to the creation of a modern
\nand professional army and Special Forces.<\/h5>\n
Hopefully, Azerbaijan will be benefitted in terms of modernizing its military, both in
\nstructure as well as equipment. Certainly, Azerbaijan will likely increase its military
\ncooperation with these countries.<\/h5>\n
There have already been several agreements on military and defense cooperation
\nbetween T\u00fcrkiye, Pakistan and Azerbaijan in recent years and according to many
\ncreditable diplomatic sources and international media reports now they are pushing a
\nmore serious framework.<\/h5>\n
At the current stage, this trilateral cooperation can depend on complementary measures
\nwhere T\u00fcrkiye and Pakistan can contribute significantly in terms of R&amp;D, design, and
\nmanufacture of weapons to meet Azerbaijan&#39;s security needs. At a later stage,
\nAzerbaijan can be an effective partner in joint production.<\/h5>\n
In this regard, the trilateral security dialogue of Azerbaijan, T\u00fcrkiye and Pakistan should <\/strong><\/span>also extend their cooperation in achieving a codified security system. All three countries <\/strong><\/span>operate noticeably different military hardware. T\u00fcrkiye and Pakistan armed forces have <\/strong><\/span>long operated American, European and indigenous equipment while the Azerbaijani <\/strong><\/span>military still uses a lot of Russian equipment.\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/h5>\n
There is an urgent need to change the entire canvas of war theater in South Caucasus
\nespecially after the recent increasing military partnership between India and Armenia
\nbecause T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s assertive role as regional and trans-regional balancing act and
\nemerging Middle Power Status would be compromised in the region.<\/h5>\n
The policy maker\u2019s especially military strategists of Pakistan should also forge a<\/strong><\/span>
\ncomprehensive security policy in the region and try to further strengthen military<\/strong><\/span>
\ncooperation with Azerbaijan in the days to come. It is high time that the trilateral security <\/strong>partners should strengthen their cooperation in drones, tanks, anti-missile systems, <\/strong>ammunitions and electronic war-fare.<\/strong> Moreover, trilateral cooperation in the latest radar and stealth systems should be also <\/strong>included in the formation of military cooperation among the three countries.<\/strong><\/span><\/h5>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Dr Mehmood Ul Hassan Khan, Executive Director: The Center for South Asia &amp; International Studies (CSAIS), Islamabad, Regional Expert: Azerbaijan &amp; South Caucasus \/ 02 Oct 2022 The ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict has now entered into a \u201cdecisive phase\u201d. The most recent speech of Russian president Putin clearly signaled a \u201cnegotiated settlement\u201d in which Turkey may […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":17135,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[24],"tags":[388,196,109,2850,1160,395,285,48,532,2589],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17134"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17134"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17134\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":17137,"href":"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17134\/revisions\/17137"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/17135"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17134"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17134"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17134"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}