“If Russia fails to agree with Azerbaijan on the lease of Gabala, Armenia is ready to provide a site on its territory for construction of the radar,” Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan was quoted by Russian daily Kommersant as saying on April 4.
The Gabala radar station, which was built by the Soviet Union in 1985, is operated by Russia and based in the northern Azerbaijan region of Gabala. It covers a range of up to 6,000 kilometers (3,728 miles).
Sargsyan added that the deployment of such a radar system on the Armenian territory would be more effective, because it “is an upland country and the [station’s] coverage may be broader.”
Russia has been in talks with Azerbaijan to extend the contract on the radar station, which was renewed in 2002 and is due to expire in December.
According to media reports, Azerbaijan has demanded Russia to pay USD 300 million instead of the formerly agreed seven million for the new lease.
Russia is seeking to extend the contract until 2025.
PG/JR/MAB/HN