Suren Papikyan received the Ambassador of France to Armenia

On December 12, the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Armenia Suren Papikyan received the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of France to Armenia, Olivier Decottignies. During the meeting, agenda items related to Armenia-France cooperation in the defence sector and prospects for future cooperation were discussed. The parties also exchanged views on recent regional and international developments.

An Official Welcoming Ceremony for the Minister of Defense Suren Papikyan at the Pentagon

Suren Papikyan held a meeting with the United States Secretary of Defense, Lloyd J. Austin III

On December 5, the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Armenia Suren Papikyan held a meeting with the United States Secretary of Defense, Lloyd J. Austin III. The meeting commenced with an official welcoming ceremony at the Pentagon, during which the national anthems of Armenia and the United States were performed. Minister of Defense Suren Papikyan, expressing his gratitude to U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III for the warm hospitality, outlined the ongoing reforms within the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia and highlighted the priority areas of cooperation. These areas are aimed at both transforming the RA Armed Forces and enhancing interoperability with the U.S. Armed Forces, which are military education, combat training, joint exercises in preparation for participation in international peacekeeping missions, the development of professional NCO and instructor corps, and the establishment of educational and training capabilities for the RA Armed Forces. Welcoming the RA Minister of Defense Suren Papikyan, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III emphasized the historic significance of the RA Defense Minister‘s visit. Issues related to Armenia-US defense cooperation were discussed during the meeting. Lloyd Austin III affirmed that the United States supports the independence, sovereignty, and prosperity of the Republic of Armenia, highlighting that cooperation between the two countries continues to grow. Secretary Austin emphasized the United States’ commitment to continue supporting the reforms of the Armenian Armed Forces. The meeting also addressed international and regional security issues. Defense Minister Suren Papikyan reaffirmed Armenia’s commitment to achieving lasting peace in the region. In turn, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III expressed the United States’ support for this objective.

Suren Papikyan met with the Minister of National Defense of the Hellenic Republic

On December 4, within the framework of his working visit to the United States, the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Armenia Suren Papikyan met with the Minister of National Defense of the Hellenic Republic, Nikos Dendias, at the Embassy of Greece in Washington, D.C. The discussion focused on the current status and prospects of Armenia-Greece cooperation in the field of defense. The accomplishments of 2024 were reviewed, and planed activities to be implemented in the coming year were outlined.

The discussions focused on potential cooperation in the development of a new uniform for the Armenian Armed Forces

On December 4, within the framework of his working visit to the United States, the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Armenia Suren Papikyan received in the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia in the United States Mr. Bruce LaFlam, Vice President of the American “Milliken & Company”, which is specialized in the design and development of military uniforms, and Mr. Scott J. Grupp and Tommy Young, Directors of company’s military and international programs. The discussions focused on potential cooperation in the development of a new uniform for the Armenian Armed Forces. Topics included the types of uniforms, the development process, timelines for the delivery of prototypes, and other procedures necessary for the implementation of the program.

The delegation led by the Minister of Defense has paid to the United States

The delegation led by the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Armenia Suren Papikyan has paid a working visit to the United States.

The entire personnel of the humanitarian demining and medical team has returned to Armenia

In recent days, the operational situation in several regions of the Syrian Arab Republic has significantly deteriorated, leading to the onset of active military operations. This escalation has rendered it impossible for the Armenian humanitarian demining and medical team, which has been conducting its mission in the Aleppo region since 2019, to continue its activities. In light of these developments, a decision was made to temporarily suspend the team’s operations in Aleppo. On November 29, late evening, the entire personnel of the humanitarian demining and medical team has returned to Armenia on board the military transportation aircraft of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Armenia.

Suren Papikyan received the Ambassador of the Russian Federation

On November 29, the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Armenia Suren Papikyan received the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Armenia Sergey Kopirkin. During the meeting, Ambassador Kopirkin introduced the newly appointed Defence Attaché of the Embassy of the RF in the RA, Colonel Alexander Goryunov, to Minister Papikyan. The Minister extended his congratulations to Colonel Goryunov on his appointment, wishing him a productive tenure. The discussion also encompassed issues related to the bilateral agenda and regional security.

The leadership of the International Military Sports Council along with the heads of delegations visited the Armenian Genocide Memorial Complex

On November 19, as part of their visit to Armenia, the leadership of the International Military Sports Council (CISM), led by its President, Colonel Nilton Rolim, along with the heads of delegations from participating countries in the World Military Wrestling Championship, visited the Armenian Genocide Memorial Complex to pay tribute to the victims.

Suren Papikyan received the delegation of the International Military Sports Council

On November 19, within the framework of the 37th CISM World Military Wrestling Championship, the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Armenia Suren Papikyan received the President of the International Military Sports Council (CISM), Colonel Nilton Rolim, along with Sports Director Lieutenant Colonel Jan van den Dool, Lieutenant Colonel Djair Akamine from the CISM Sports Department. During the meeting, Minister Papikyan welcomed the guests and highlighted the importance of hosting such a significant international sporting event in Armenia. The Minister noted that Armenia has been a member of the International Military Sports Council since 1994 and became an active participant in 2010. Since then, Armenian athletes have taken part in various championships earning numerous accolades. At the conclusion of the meeting, Minister Papikyan expressed his gratitude to the CISM representatives for their trust and organizational support in facilitating the event. The President of the CISM Wrestling Sports Committee (WSC) awarded the Minister of Defence, Suren Papikyan, the First Deputy Minister of Defence and Chief of the General Staff, Lieutenant General Edward Asryan, and Deputy Minister Arman Sargsyan with medals from the International Military Sports Council (CISM). The 37th CISM World Military Wrestling Championship will take place at the Karen Demirchyan Sports and Concert Complex in Yerevan from November 20 to 22. Delegations from numerous countries, comprising more than 400 participants, have arrived in Armenia to compete. The opening ceremony of the championship is scheduled for November 20 at 5:00 p.m.

The delegation of the RA Ministry of Defence participated in the International Conference

From November 11 to 13, the international conference "Cultural Property Protection in the 21st Century: Meeting Requirements across the Forces" took place at the National Defence Academy of the Austrian Armed Forces in Vienna. A delegation from the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Armenia, led by the Press Secretary to the Minister of Defence Aram Torosyan, participated in the event. The conference marked the 70th anniversary of the 1954 UNESCO Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict, as well as the 25th anniversary of the 1999 Second Protocol.

Concept transformation of the Army of tfe RA