Nagorno-Karabagh: Military Balance Between Armenia & Azerbaijan

[Federate]

Re: Nagorno-Karabagh: Military Balance Between Armenia & Azerbaijan

That's a Dragunov

[Federate]

Re: Nagorno-Karabagh: Military Balance Between Armenia & Azerbaijan

We captured another baboon this week "Armenian side has confirmed the fact of capturing Azerbaijani soldier Hasanov Rafiq Rahman oghlu, born in 1989." (http://today.az/news/society/48441.html) while they still hold one of ours, Paruyr Simonyan.

Oh and two baboon officers killed themselves in 24 hours according to today.az.

[Armenian]

Re: Nagorno-Karabagh: Military Balance Between Armenia & Azerbaijan

I see that we are more-or-less on the same page as well.

I am thankfull of the Russians and I am pro-Russian, let there be no doubt. Armenians are Armenians, and I disagree that because of the Russian Union we had men like Khachaturyan, Hambartsumyan, Babajanyan, Mikoyan, Saryan, Baghramian, Mirzoyan, Khanjian, Alikhanian brothers, Baruyr Sevak. We would have got those also if we were independent (if theoretically we were strong enough).

It was precisely because of the educational system put in place by the Soviet Union and the Russian Empire we had men like Khachaturian and the others. Where did these men get their their higher education in the first place, in Yerevan, a dust little town with a Islamic majority at the time? Had there not been a Russian Empire, had there not been a Soviet Union, we Armenians would not have been much different from the regional Kurds or the Assyrians. Reconsider how Armenians were living in the Ottoman Empire and in the Caucasus, the only thing that distinguished Armenians from their Muslim neighbors was their religion, and men like Khachaturian and Mikoyan would have remained peasants, like their ancestors. I acknowledge that we Armenians are abundantly gifted with raw talent, however, such talent needs a fertile ground to take root. The Russian presence to our north provided us with that fertile ground. And saying things like "if we were only strong enough" is too vague, too subjective, too speculative, its simply wishful thinking. We deal with what history and political circumstances deals us. Had there not been a Russian Empire our Armenian national movement would not have gained momentum in the Ottoman Empire. Had there not been a Soviet Union Armenia/Armenians would simply have been eliminated by Tatars and Turks. It's that simple. Had we been "strong enough" we would have ruled the world... But we were not strong, the First Armenian Republic although historically very signification was a pathetic joke as a nation-state. Let's deal with our reality, not our fantasies.

But that Russification is good for Armenians, I have my doubts.

I'm simply stating that when Armenians were more Islamic than Christian, in culture; more Turkish, Arabic and Persian than Armenian, in culture; "Russification" gave us an opportunity to catch up with modernity and redefine ourselves as a people. Khachaturian's magnificent works in music, Saryan's beautiful creations in art and Mikoyan's technical achievements in aeronautics are a classic examples of what I am trying to say. Today, I rather see "Russification" in Armenia again instead of the western pop culture that is ravaging the nation currently.

Besides the Stalin/Lenin era, would you say that Boris Yeltsin or Gorbachov (not real bolsheviks) were good for Armenia?

Well, didn't Gorbachev give us the freedom we were seeking for decades by dismantling the Soviet Union? Didn't Yeltsin give us the billion dollars arms shipment to keep Turks and Azeris on their side of their borders? You see, its all relative.

Now, let's have some respect for Zoravar and get back to the real topic of discussion here.

[truAnatolian]

Re: Nagorno-Karabagh: Military Balance Between Armenia & Azerbaijan

Billions?!

[Tigranakert]

Re: Nagorno-Karabagh: Military Balance Between Armenia & Azerbaijan

I agree with what you said, without the Russian Empire we would not have existed. But I still have my doubts that, because of the Russian Empire, we had great men like Kachaturian. Was it thanks to the ‘advanced’ Ottoman Empire that we delivered them so many great architects, rich musicians and intelligent scientists? No. The religion was not the only thing Armenians distinguished themselves from the muslims, I also disagree with that. This is indeed speculating, fact is without Russia we would not have excisted. But must that be the reason that ‘Russification’, at present, is grounded?. I also prefer ‘Russification’ before Western pop culture, but rather give me ‘Armenification’ Gomidas style.

At the end of the war, (at first they were not supporting us) Russia did gave us a billion dollars worth of equipment. They want a balanced Caucasus, they do not want Armenia nor Azerbaijan to be more powerfull than the other. I am simply stating that a union can also be very dangerous, but as a last resort (if that is the discussion) there is indeed no other choice.

[ZORAVAR]

Re: Nagorno-Karabagh: Military Balance Between Armenia & Azerbaijan

Here are descriptions about the most common types of small arms used by our soldiers at the squad level (a squad in the Armenian army consists of about 8 - 10 soldiers).
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The Soldier's Guns

AK-74 (Avtomat Kalashnikov)



With over 80 million produced, this is the most popular weapon in the world. It's earliest version was introduced in 1947 by Mikhail Kalashnikov and called AK-47. Since then, it has been improved and modified all the time. Armenians from the Middle East (Lebanon, Syria, Egypt etc.) are familiar with the AK-47 and the more modern AKM variants which use a 7.62 x 39mm caliber round. The newer model used by the Armenian forces is the AK-74 which uses a different caliber (5.45 x 39). It is more accurate and has less recoil than its predecessors. This firearm comes in so many configurations that people have a hard time tracking the various models (wood stock, polymer stock, folding stock, different barrel lengths etc. etc.). Accuracy is good up to 300-400m. This firearm is super-reliable. It can still be fired when covered with sand or mud. It also functions flawlessly at extreme temperature. And, at around $500, it is very affordable. There are better firearms on paper, but they are not as reliable and cost many times more. In fact, the Russians are having a hard time finding a replacement for the AK-series of assault rifle. They have created new guns, but the AK is 95% as capable for half the price.

It is the standard gun of our soldiers and is the most common type used in Armenia and Artsakh.

AKS-74U



The AKS-74U short assault rifle (the "U" suffix means "Ukorochenny" in Russian = "Shortened" in English) is a short version of the AK-74. It is intended as a personal defense weapon for tanks, guns, helicopters and other vehicles crews, and for the special operations forces, who required a compact but relatively powerful individual automatic weapon. It uses the same 5.45 x 39 round of the AK-74. So, it is equally powerfull but, because of the shorter barrel, it is not accurate for ranges beyond 200m.

SVD (Snayperskaya Vintovka Dragunova)



One man in the squad will carry a sniper rifle. He is the marksman, his weapon is the Dragunov SVD which uses a powerfull 7.62 x 54 round. It was designed for accurate shooting to ranges upto 600m. Good shooters are getting good results to 1000m. This rifle is made in different configuartions as well (short, long, wood stock, polymer stock, paratrooper version etc.).It is a very much loved weapon for its reliability and accuracy. A single sniper can pin down a group of enemy soldiers with this rifle. It is very usefull in the wooded mountainous terrain of NK. Making a good sniper takes a lot of training. An SVD costs just over $1000 without the optical scope.

RPK-74



This is the standard fire support weapon for a squad. It is based on the AK-74 and uses the same round. Thanks to a heavy duty receiver and longer barrel fitted with a bipod, it can deliver more sustained automatic fire at slightly longer ranges than the typical AK-74. It is of course heavier and a bit more expensive. Typically, one man in the squad will be issued an RPK instead of an AK.

PK (Pelemyet Kalashnikov)



This is as heavy as a squad would normally carry. This machine gun designed by Kalashnikov weighs around 10 kg and fires the same powerfull round of the Dragunov SVD. It is also fitted on vehicles and usualy is operated by a 2 men crew.

PM (Pistolet Makarova)



The Makarov pistol is used by officers, special forces, pilots etc. It is also used by the police. It is a very compact design that uses a 9 x 18mm round. Pistols are usualy good for ranges rarely exceeding 50m and most soldiers will not be issued one.

APS (Automatichesky Pistolet Stechkina)



This pistol designed by Stechkin is a larger cousin to the Makarov. It uses the same round, but is bigger and heavier because it can also fire full automatic (like a machine gun).

Here is a video of a Stechkin APS being fired full automatic by someone at a shooting range in Armenia.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71xbwUF_XLg

[truAnatolian]

Re: Nagorno-Karabagh: Military Balance Between Armenia & Azerbaijan

This is the personal website of the
Armenian Arms Designer and
Engineer Vahan S. Manasian

http://www.vahangun.com/

[Federate]

Re: Nagorno-Karabagh: Military Balance Between Armenia & Azerbaijan

From the way it seems we are conducting these shameless peace talks, looks like the max we are gonna be able to keep is the former NKAO's independence with some kind of bullsh!t deal on Lachin.

Any future resolution in accordance with the current pattern of negotiations will involve the return of baboon "refugees" to the region, this is a fundamental principle that Kaku has been spewing for the past 20 years. If you want to see their seriousness on this issue, know that the "refugees" from 20 years ago still live in railcars despite the billions of petrodollars in the fake republic. Mark my words that if they return in the artificial enclave part of Artsakh, we are finished. 75% of Shushi before the war was azerbaboon. There currently are 3,000 Armenians in Shushi. The 75% will increase to 90% when they return with their 8 kids per family. Note that this has not even been discussed as all the principles they always mention involved the "return of displaced persons". Using their definition, the baboons will be back to Shushi.

Then there is this issue on some referendum that will, I quote, happen "eventually". Note to everyone that this referendum has absolutely no details mentioned. Who will be able to vote? Who will monitor the voting? When will it happen? What if the sides don't accept the final result?

Another major defect of these peace talks, the baboons have not signed a non-aggression pact. How can we conduct peace talks when every now and then the baboons threaten us with war? Why aren't we complaining and asking them to sign a treaty of non-agression...

Of course, the biggest problem is the final borders of Artsakh but i've ranted enough about that on other threads.

Armenians and azerbaboons cannot coexist with each other. It's like giving a primate a suit and putting it among humans. Futhermore, these people are brought up to hate our monstrous guts, their entire lack of identity and history is solely based on their version of nakba (Palestinian expression for "great catastrophe") against Armenians. Has anyone seen an "azeri" cartoon called "Cavansir"?

[Federate]

Re: Nagorno-Karabagh: Military Balance Between Armenia & Azerbaijan

Now we're talking!!!
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"NKR Defense Minister": "We will launch offensive for neutralization of the threat without waiting for the attack of the armed forces of "Azerbaijan"
27 October 2008 [11:39] - Today.Az


"The tactical trainings with shooting, held in Nagorno Karabakh on Saturday, were of special nature", said the "defense minister" of the so-called "Nagorno Karabakh Republic" Movses Akopyan.

He said the "defense army" of "Nagorno Karabakh Republic" arranged the trainings only for offensive.

"We are preparing our servicemen for not waiting for Azerbaijan's attack, but, depending on the situation, for launching an offensive for neutralization of the threat to our security", said Akopyan.

/Novosti-Armenia/
Baboon source http://today.az/news/politics/48523.html

[crusader1492]

Re: Nagorno-Karabagh: Military Balance Between Armenia & Azerbaijan

More resolve from Artsakhis...

PRESIDENT OF NAGORNY KARABAKH REPUBLIC: WE PAID TOO HEAVY PRICE FOR INDEPENDENCE AND FREEDOM TO ENDANGER THEM

ArmInfo
2008-10-27 11:20:00

ArmInfo. 'Our armed forces have once more demonstrated high fighting
combat and we have once more made sure that these exercises can be
applied as actions in case if Azerbaijan tries to settle disputes by
force', President of Nagorny Karabakh Republic (NKR) Bako Sahakyan
told media after tactical exercises of NRK Defense Army Monday. 'As NKR
Defense Minister said, we are ready not only to fight our way through
enemy territory but also to go deep into Azerbaijan should the need
a rise, the president said, ArmInfo correspondent to NKR reports.

Asked about the territories liberated during the military actions,
NKR president said those territories were liberated in early 90s
and registered in the Constitution of NKR as 'security zone'. Bako
Sahakyan confirmed the readiness of NKR to peaceful settlement of the
conflict 'but not at the expense of its security and independence. We
paid too heavy price for independence and freedom to endanger them',
the president said.

He stressed that Stepanakert is ready to negotiate with Baku without
any preconditions. 'The conflict settlement is still protracted for
we are not considered as a full party to it', Bako Sahakyan said. He
highlighted that all the issues must be settled with participation
of NKR people.