Re: Military Forces of the Republic of Armenia
Now, on a long run, from strategic point of view, I guess one must not limit itself to 'international borders', and envisage Syunik, and at least the Kashatagh district, and parts of Dizak of NKR as a single and one geographic, economic and strategic entity.
As a matter of facts, for the inhabitants of Kovsakan, Mintchevan districts of Kachatagh, as well as Ljachen subdistrict of Dizak, the economic center (even if not admistrativ) is Kapan, and for those of Perzor, the nearest center is Goris, not Stepanakert.
As a country in war, or possible war at any moment, we must envisage military aspect, in every matter.
Of course even more so, when it comes to strategic installations such as airports.
Northern NKR is very isolated from the rest of the republic, basically deprived of any airport localisation possibility, in actual frontlines situation (the best location being East of Martakert, just next to the actual enemy lines). All of Martakert and "Shahumian" districts represent basically the valley of Drdou (Tartar) river.
The 'rear' airport would then be, however far away, the one in Vartenis (necessity to restore the Martakert/Vartenis to the best possible level, as it is planned).
Central NKR (Stepanakert/Akna/Varanta sectors) is well served by Ivanian's now well equipped International level Airport (basically the best after Zvartnots).
Southern NKR (Dizag), is very ill served by this airport.
Strategically, we do need, and can afford a second airport in this part of the country.
Technically this is not very expensive pleasure, compared to the Northern sector. And we will be forced to do this, willy nilly, sooner or later.
The location of that second airport can't be the 2 existing strips we do control :
1/ Akna, just 1,5 Km from enemy lines, 1400 m long, very bad shape, abandoned.
2/ Varanta, 8,5 Km from nearest enemy lines, 1600 m long runway, neglected for 25 years.
These 2 are very easy to exploit, since in open steppe terrain, but actual localisation of frontline make them usable, only after first stage of operations, that is too late for the evacuation of most casualties, peek period of reinforcement needs...
Evacuation from this sector would then require very big number of helicopters to join would be, renovated Kapan airport, or else a secure airfield somewhere between the Dizag Range, and the Arax river, east of the Vorotan canyon. Probably south of Ljachen or Tagh Tovmas subdistricts (given topographic aspects).
If not today, then in 10 years, we will be forced to do this.
Isn't it better, do spare time, money, and hundred of lives in case of war, by making a brave decision: ignore any azary blabla, (10000% predictable), and decide at once, to build a totally new airport on the east shores of Vorotan somewhere south of Ljachen / Tagh Tovmass???
This would serve the needs of Southern Syunik (distance from Kapan 35 Km) in peace time, as well as South NKR and Kashatagh, plus in case of war, it will shorten the land distance from the frontline, to the nearest by aprox 3 times, that is 40 Km in place of the minimal 120 Km otherwise???
In this ideal situation, we will end up with 3 Civil airports, optimally placed, secure, and with minimal investments, in the Southern half of our country:
1/ Goris
2/ Stepanakert
3/"Tagh Tovmass".
Now, on a long run, from strategic point of view, I guess one must not limit itself to 'international borders', and envisage Syunik, and at least the Kashatagh district, and parts of Dizak of NKR as a single and one geographic, economic and strategic entity.
As a matter of facts, for the inhabitants of Kovsakan, Mintchevan districts of Kachatagh, as well as Ljachen subdistrict of Dizak, the economic center (even if not admistrativ) is Kapan, and for those of Perzor, the nearest center is Goris, not Stepanakert.
As a country in war, or possible war at any moment, we must envisage military aspect, in every matter.
Of course even more so, when it comes to strategic installations such as airports.
Northern NKR is very isolated from the rest of the republic, basically deprived of any airport localisation possibility, in actual frontlines situation (the best location being East of Martakert, just next to the actual enemy lines). All of Martakert and "Shahumian" districts represent basically the valley of Drdou (Tartar) river.
The 'rear' airport would then be, however far away, the one in Vartenis (necessity to restore the Martakert/Vartenis to the best possible level, as it is planned).
Central NKR (Stepanakert/Akna/Varanta sectors) is well served by Ivanian's now well equipped International level Airport (basically the best after Zvartnots).
Southern NKR (Dizag), is very ill served by this airport.
Strategically, we do need, and can afford a second airport in this part of the country.
Technically this is not very expensive pleasure, compared to the Northern sector. And we will be forced to do this, willy nilly, sooner or later.
The location of that second airport can't be the 2 existing strips we do control :
1/ Akna, just 1,5 Km from enemy lines, 1400 m long, very bad shape, abandoned.
2/ Varanta, 8,5 Km from nearest enemy lines, 1600 m long runway, neglected for 25 years.
These 2 are very easy to exploit, since in open steppe terrain, but actual localisation of frontline make them usable, only after first stage of operations, that is too late for the evacuation of most casualties, peek period of reinforcement needs...
Evacuation from this sector would then require very big number of helicopters to join would be, renovated Kapan airport, or else a secure airfield somewhere between the Dizag Range, and the Arax river, east of the Vorotan canyon. Probably south of Ljachen or Tagh Tovmas subdistricts (given topographic aspects).
If not today, then in 10 years, we will be forced to do this.
Isn't it better, do spare time, money, and hundred of lives in case of war, by making a brave decision: ignore any azary blabla, (10000% predictable), and decide at once, to build a totally new airport on the east shores of Vorotan somewhere south of Ljachen / Tagh Tovmass???
This would serve the needs of Southern Syunik (distance from Kapan 35 Km) in peace time, as well as South NKR and Kashatagh, plus in case of war, it will shorten the land distance from the frontline, to the nearest by aprox 3 times, that is 40 Km in place of the minimal 120 Km otherwise???
In this ideal situation, we will end up with 3 Civil airports, optimally placed, secure, and with minimal investments, in the Southern half of our country:
1/ Goris
2/ Stepanakert
3/"Tagh Tovmass".
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