The US Responds to Aliyev’s Statement on Supplying Arms to Armenia; Yerevan Remains Silent
State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller addressed Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s statement during an interview with a Russian state TV channel, claiming that the U.S. is arming Armenia.
The Azerbaijani president alleged that “France and India openly provide lethal weapons to Armenia, while the U.S. denies it, but we have tracked American military cargo planes landing at Armenian airports, delivering ammunition.”
The U.S. responded by stating that its security assistance to both Armenia and Azerbaijan is aimed at strengthening collaboration with U.S. and NATO forces, improving military professionalism, and securing the borders of both countries with Iran. He added that “the United States calibrates its security assistance to Armenia and Azerbaijan to ensure it is not used for offensive purposes and does not hinder or disrupt ongoing efforts to negotiate a sustainable and dignified peace.”
Aliyev also claimed that France is the leading arms supplier to Armenia, followed by India and then the U.S. Yerevan has not issued any response to these allegations. The military relations between Armenia and both India and France have been widely discussed. Under a contract signed on October 23, 2023, Paris committed to supplying Armenia with three Mistral missiles and GM200 radars. France has also delivered “Bastion” armored vehicles to Yerevan. Five of which have already been showcased during military exercises.
On June 17, 2024, a defense-technical cooperation agreement was signed between KNDS, a French defense industry company, and Armenia’s Ministry of Defense. Additionally, on December 10, a 2025 Armenia-France defense cooperation program was signed.