French "armored beasts" en route to Armenia
Reports from the Azerbaijani channel on Telegram suggest that Armenia is set to receive a shipment of French armored vehicles called Bastions. According to these reports, this batch of armored vehicles traversed Georgia has now entered Armenia. This move is part of the military cooperation exercise between Armenia and France, which are currently at odds with Azerbaijan.
3:07 PM EST, November 13, 2023
Witness accounts estimate the shipment to carry around 22 French vehicles. The French arms company, Arquus, dispatched these. This initiative stems from an agreement secured during the visit of Catherine Colonna, the French Minister of Foreign Affairs, to Yerevan, Armenia. The agreement aims to fulfill Armenia's defensive requirements.
Details of the French Bastion Armored Vehicle
The production of Bastions began in 2012 by ACMAT, a subsidiary of Arquus. The design of the transporter chassis is based on ACMAT's VLRA design, a category of light tactical all-wheel-drive vehicles. Bastions come in two variants – Bastion PATSAS, designed for special forces use, and the Fortress variant featuring a robust engine and independent suspension. The latter of these two likely forms the part of the shipment to Armenia, although there is no official confirmation yet.
Each Bastion weighs approximately 26,455 pounds, can reach a maximum speed of 68 mph, and carries 8 to 10 passengers, plus the driver and gunner. The armored vehicle provides protection levels ranging from 1 to 3 depending on the model; it is equipped with a remotely controlled turret gun of 0.3 or 0.5 inches. France sold this equipment predominantly to African nations like Cameroon, Chad, and Uganda.
Armenian-French Military Cooperation Complications
French authorities declined to disclose the exact details and future plans regarding the equipment handed over to Armenia. However, certain statements from high-ranking French officials hint that this process may not involve free military aid but may establish a commercial relationship. There is also speculation that France might have sold vehicles initially destined to be donated as aid to Ukraine.
Azerbaijan has disapproved of the trade ties between Armenia and France, suggesting potential escalation in the already tense situation in the South Caucasus. Amidst its relations with France, Armenia also sources equipment from the Indian arms industry.
