Iranian Drones Could Enhance Armenia's Defense Capabilities: Forbes

The acquisition of Iranian drones by Armenia may enhance its defense capabilities and pose challenges for Azerbaijan and Turkey, according to Forbes.

“The purchase of Iranian unmanned aerial vehicles by Armenia could serve as a potential deterrent, given that Shahed drones can strike targets hundreds of kilometers away. The regional drone race is intensifying and is not expected to slow down anytime soon,” said Samuel Bendett, an analyst at the Center for Naval Analyses, in an interview with Forbes.

He noted that Iran could sell Armenia drone models such as the Shahed and Ababil, which have been used by Iranian proxies in the Middle East. The Shahed drones have also demonstrated their capabilities in Ukraine, the expert stated. He added that the possibility of Armenia purchasing Mohajer drones cannot be ruled out.

Bendett emphasized that Iran also has an interest in militarily strengthening Armenia. “Iran has conducted exercises near Nagorno-Karabakh, demonstrating that it can employ military force if the Zangezur corridor blocks its access to Armenia and is seeking its own way to counter relations between Istanbul, Baku, and Tel Aviv,” he said.