In the 21st century, it is no longer possible to maintain an army’s combat capability through long-term weapons procurement alone. Military technologies are evolving too quickly, and modern weapons systems can become obsolete in as little as one year. This was stated by military expert Karen Hovhannisyan.
According to him, the development of artificial intelligence and advanced technologies has fundamentally changed the logic of military affairs, forcing states to invest continuously in modernization.
“This is no longer the 20th century, when a country could purchase weapons once and use them for 30 or 40 years. Today, some systems may already be outdated after just one year,” Hovhannisyan noted.
Military Technology Requires Constant Modernization
The expert believes that Armenia must learn how to achieve maximum results with minimum costs while keeping pace with technological progress. Otherwise, major investments made today could turn into a serious problem within a few years.
He stressed that the world is currently witnessing rapid development not only of unmanned aerial vehicles but also of artillery systems controlled by artificial intelligence.
According to him, Armenia is also attempting to follow the model of a “new army” based on modern technologies.
Domestic Production Is Becoming a Strategic Priority
In this context, Hovhannisyan considers the development of domestic capabilities especially important.
He is convinced that Armenia has the potential to enter international markets, although he believes that the current pace of development in the sector is not satisfactory.
“We can do much more. From drones to thermal imaging devices, night-vision equipment, and surveillance systems, we are capable not only of meeting domestic demand but also of entering the international defense market,” he said.
According to the expert, the state has a decisive role to play by supporting local manufacturers through procurement programs and incentive mechanisms.
He believes that with the right policies, Armenian-made military equipment could eventually be displayed at military parades in other countries.
Weapons Purchases Must Be Accompanied by Training
Speaking about Armenia’s military procurement efforts, particularly the acquisition of Indian military equipment, Hovhannisyan noted that these systems possess strong technical characteristics and significant potential to enhance the combat capabilities of the Armenian Armed Forces.
At the same time, he emphasized that purchasing weapons alone is not enough. Personnel must be thoroughly trained to operate and maintain them effectively.
“It is very important that our specialists receive training, retraining, and gain full mastery of these systems. International contracts usually include training programs, but we should reach a level where we can repair and maintain this equipment ourselves,” he stated.
According to Hovhannisyan, Armenia should strive not only to operate imported military equipment but also to organize the production of certain components within the country.