Armenia
In 2020, Armenia and Azerbaijan entered a renewed period of armed conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh. This situation led to a significant raise in the influx of weapons and ammunition supplied by foreign powers.[1] The war also reportedly led to the prosecution of numerous cases of illegal acquisition and theft of weapons and ammunition in the country.[2]
In terms of Weapons and Ammunition Management (WAM), after the ceasefire, members of the Armenian ruling party notably proposed a bill to significantly loosen the regulation on civilian possession of weapons with the declared will to increase the country’s defence capacities.[3]
[1] Pieter D. Weseman, Alexandra Kuimova and Jordan Smith, “Arms transfers to conflict zones: The case of Nagorno-Karabakh”, SIPRI, 30.04.21, https://www.sipri.org/commentary/topical-backgrounder/2021/arms-transfers-conflict-zones-case-nagorno-karabakh.
[2] The Prosecutor General’s Office of the Republic of Armenia, “39 people were charged for illicit firearms trafficking from Artsakh to Armenia during the war and after the war, 5 were sentenced to imprisonment”, 31.03.21, https://www.prosecutor.am/en/mn/8125/.
[3] Arshaluis Mgdesyan, “In wake of war defeat, Armenia seeks to loosen gun laws”, Eurasianet, 12.05.22, https://eurasianet.org/in-wake-of-war-defeat-armenia-seeks-to-loosen-gun-laws.
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Further information
Accidental explosions
Since the beginning of data collection in 1979 by the Small Arms Survey, one accidental explosion was reported in Armenia (Table 1).
Table. 1 Accidental explosions in Armenia (1979-2021)
Year | Location | Owner/manager | Deaths | Injuries |
1992 | Yerevan | State (military) | - | 7 |
Source: UEMS Database (December 2021); Small Arms Survey. ‘Unplanned Explosions at Munitions Sites (UEMS)’. https://smallarmssurvey.org/database/unplanned-explosions-munitions-sites-uems.
Cases of diversion
Information on the disposal of ammunition in Armenia.
Disposal
Destruction, use, or export of ammunition as an indicator of a state’s ability to identify and decrease aging, unsafe, or surplus ammunition.
Information on the disposal of ammunition in Armenia.
Needs
Further requirements for an effective through-life management of ammunition in the country.
No needs have been reported for Armenia.
