Armenia signs €274.5M arms contracts with France in 2023–2024

Between 2023 and 2024, Armenia signed arms contracts worth over €274 million with France, Azatutyun reports, citing a document submitted by France’s Ministry of Defense to the French Parliament.

The French Ministry of Defense noted in the report that as part of its efforts to diversify cooperation in the defense sector, Armenia decided to seek France’s support to enhance its capabilities and ensure the security of its population.

“The export of new equipment, the conduct of exercises, and operational activities are strictly defensive in nature. The establishment of France’s defense mission in Yerevan in 2023 allows for close ties with Armenian partners to strengthen cooperation in the best possible ways,” the report states.

According to the report, until 2022, France had practically not supplied Armenia with any weapons. However, in 2023–2024, numerous contracts for the armament of ground forces were signed, and various projects in Armenia’s defense industry are still under discussion. Additionally, Armenian-French defense cooperation includes enhancing combat capabilities in mountainous terrain, involving collaboration between the Vazgen Sargsyan and Saint-Cyr military academies.

The report also mentions that France supplies Armenia with Caesar howitzers, a fact first reported in 2024, and that France will provide Armenia with 15 anti-tank missiles and missile launch systems.