YEREVAN, Armenia — May 28, 2026 : Armenia showcased an expanded range of unmanned aerial systems (UAS), electronic warfare assets, and armored platforms during a large-scale Republic Day military parade in Yerevan’s Republic Square, highlighting the country’s continuing defense modernization efforts and growing emphasis on domestically produced and imported military technologies.
Expansion Of Unmanned Capabilities And Defense Cooperation
The event featured units of Armenia’s recently established unmanned aerial vehicle forces marching through Republic Square alongside advanced drone systems, reflecting a broader restructuring of the country’s military capabilities and procurement strategy. According to Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, military equipment from seven countries participated in the parade, underscoring Armenia’s expanding military-technical partnerships and diversification of defense suppliers.
CH-4B “Rainbow” Combat UAV Makes Public Debut
Among the most notable systems publicly displayed was the Chinese-made CH-4B “Rainbow” combat unmanned aerial vehicle, marking its first confirmed public appearance in Armenian service and officially confirming earlier unofficial reports of its acquisition. Produced by China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), the medium-altitude, long-endurance unmanned combat aerial vehicle is designed to conduct reconnaissance, surveillance, and precision strike missions.
During the parade, the CH-4B was displayed armed with AR-2 anti-tank guided missiles, lightweight precision-guided munitions equipped with semi-active laser guidance and a 5-kilogram armor-piercing warhead. The missile has an operational range of up to eight kilometers. The UAV itself supports up to six external weapon stations, carries a payload of approximately 250–345 kilograms, and is reported to have an endurance of between 30 and 40 hours with an operational range of roughly 3,500–5,000 kilometers.
ASN-301 Loitering Munition Displayed In Multiple Configurations
Armenia also showcased the ASN-301 anti-radiation loitering munition, a Chinese-developed suicide drone designed to detect, track, and destroy enemy radar systems during suppression and destruction of enemy air defense operations (SEAD/DEAD). The system was displayed in both single-launch and group container-based launch configurations, allowing multiple drones to be deployed from a single vehicle platform.
The ASN-301 features a delta-wing airframe with a rear-mounted pusher propeller and operates using passive homing technology to detect radar emissions in a fire-and-forget mode. The loitering munition measures approximately 2.5 meters in length with a 2.2-meter wingspan, weighs around 135 kilograms, and carries a 30-kilogram high-explosive fragmentation warhead. It has a reported endurance of up to four hours, a maximum speed of approximately 220 kilometers per hour, and an operational range estimated at around 280–288 kilometers.
Domestic Drone Industry And Joint Development Programs
Alongside foreign systems, Armenia highlighted progress in its domestic defense sector and international industrial partnerships. A key platform displayed was the AHEGH (Agheg) unmanned aerial vehicle, jointly developed by Armenian defense enterprises and several European companies. Although detailed technical specifications were not disclosed during the event, the UAV represents part of Armenia’s broader effort to expand indigenous and jointly developed unmanned capabilities.
The parade also included several domestically manufactured drone systems, including the “Kaytsak” (Lightning) strike UAV, designed to engage both stationary and moving targets at distances of up to 17 kilometers, and the “Meghu-5”, an artificial intelligence-enabled drone produced by Armenian company Aerodynamics for missions targeting armored vehicles and enemy personnel.
Armored Vehicles, Mortars, And Electronic Warfare Systems
Beyond unmanned systems, Armenia displayed a broader range of military equipment, including French-made Bastion light armored vehicles, intended for rapid troop transport, reconnaissance, and special operations mobility. Domestic defense production was further represented by 82 mm “Hrazdan” and 120 mm “Sevan” mortars, as well as electronic warfare systems developed for battlefield support.
These included the “Duman” electronic warfare complex, designed to detect aerial targets and suppress satellite systems, and the “Sard” complex, intended to disrupt tactical radio communications during military operations. Additional newly acquired equipment displayed during the parade included Iranian Majid AD-08 air defense systems, presented as part of Armenia’s broader modernization efforts following the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
Defense Investment And Modernization Efforts
Addressing senior military leadership, diplomats, and invited officials during the ceremony, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated that Armenia has invested approximately 170 billion drams ($434 million) into the domestic defense industry since 2022. He described the Republic Day parade as a presentation of ongoing military modernization efforts and accountability regarding defense investments, while no official details were released concerning procurement quantities or operational deployment timelines for the showcased systems.
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