On 22 July, the Armenian Defense Minister Davit Tonoyan confirmed that the Armenian army purchased four Su-30SM fighter jets from Russia, reported the Armenian Sputnik.

“We expect the manufacturer to fulfill its obligations until the end of this year or the beginning of next year,” said Tonoyan. The Sukhoi Su-30 is a multirole fighter for all-weather, air-to-air and air-to-surface deep interdiction missions. The SU-30SM model is a specialised version of the original model and is considered a 4+ generation fighter jet. The cost of one Su-30SM fighter (without weapons) is about 22 million US dollar.

Responding to a question about the supply of other weapons, the minister noted that many details cannot be disclosed at this point in time, but "military surprises" are to be expected. One of these other weapons is the Thor anti-aircraft missile system which the Armenian army received. This system is designed to protect military, economic and other objects from air strikes at the tactical level. Thor can effectively fight against various types of missiles (including cruise and anti-radar), unmanned aerial vehicles, aerial bombs, enemy aircraft and helicopters. When asked whether the new anti-aircraft missile system would enter into service the minister answered: “I can say that Thor is a very interesting weapon. We have appropriate plans.”

The Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan also hinted at Armenia’s further military strengthening. Speaking on the same day at the diploma awarding ceremony of the new officers of the Armenian defense ministry, the Prime Minister shared his vision of peace. “What the Chinese military strategy states is that talented soldiers win without waging a war. This is the kind of peace we actually need. Our armed forces and state [must be efficient enough] to bring all the potential adversaries to the understanding that it is absolutely pointless to get into a fight with us, as the only outcome and aftermath of such attempts would be the defeat of all the enemies and adversaries and the unconditional victory of the Republic of Armenia, its people and Armed Forces,” he said, highlighting that further armament is the only reliable security guarantor to Armenia. 

One month earlier, Tonoyan participated in the Russian international military- and technical forum ARMY 2019 where he secured a new supply of ammunition and weaponry of the newest generation (Caucasus Watch reported).