Armenian-American Joint Military Exercises Start Today

Today marks the beginning of the Armenian-American joint military exercises titled “ARTIV GORTSENKER 2023.” According to the Armenian Ministry of Defense, the exercises will be held from September 11 to 20 at the Ministry’s peacekeeping brigade Zar training center and another military training center in Armenia, as part of preparations for participation in international peacekeeping missions.

“The aim of the exercises is to enhance the level of interoperability of units participating in international peacekeeping operations, to exchange best practices in management and tactical communication, as well as to improve the readiness of the Armenian unit for NATO/PHM's planned evaluation of the Operational Capabilities Concept,” the statement reads.

The exercises will involve stabilization operations amid conflicts while addressing peacekeeping challenges.

According to the U.S. Army Europe and Africa Command, 85 American soldiers and 175 Armenian servicemen will participate in the exercises. In particular, personnel from the 1st Brigade of the 101st Airborne Division and the Kansas National Guard, with which Armenia has had a cooperation program since 2003, will be involved.

In January 2023, Armenia refrained from conducting CSTO exercises on its territory. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan described the event as “inappropriate.”

On September 8, Armenia's ambassador Vagharchak Harutyunyan was summoned by the Russian Foreign Ministry. Russia expressed its firm stance and delivered a note of protest regarding several actions and statements by Armenia’s leadership.

On September 10, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that Moscow regrets Yerevan’s intention to conduct joint exercises with the U.S. “We see nothing beneficial in NATO trying to penetrate the South Caucasus. I don’t think this is good for anyone, including Armenia itself,” he said during a press conference in New Delhi.