Armenia sees opening to procure more U.S. defense technology, Axios reports

By Lia Avagyan

Armenia sees an opportunity to expand defense procurement from the United States following Washington's approval of the sale of Shield AI's V-BAT reconnaissance drones earlier this year, Ambassador to the United States Narek Mkrtchyan told Axios in an interview published on Wednesday.

"Now the door is open. After decades, we've got this opportunity to have procurement of defense technologies from the U.S.," Mkrtchyan told Axios. He said Armenia is now sourcing military technologies from more than seven countries as it continues to diversify its defense partnerships.

According to Axios, Yerevan is also seeking to expand cooperation with the United States on artificial intelligence, including technologies with defense applications. Mkrtchyan said AI would become increasingly important across both civilian and military sectors.

"There is, right now, no sector without AI. It can be economy; it can be defense," he said.

The ambassador said the strengthening of defense ties with Washington is part of Armenia's broader effort to reduce dependence on any single foreign partner.

"We are making our sovereignty more resilient. We are trying to make Armenia more independent," he said. "More sovereignty means less dependence on one player."

Mkrtchyan added that Armenia's growing cooperation with the United States and the European Union is not directed against Russia or any other country, but is aimed at strengthening the country's sovereignty and resilience.