Armenia ready to discuss a Russian radar station on its land

Armenia is ready to discuss construction of a radar system with Russia on its territory if Moscow fails to extend the lease of a defense radar in Azerbaijan. “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 said. Sargsyan added that a radar system in his country will be more effective, saying “Armenia is an upland country and the [station’s] coverage may be broader.” Russia has been in talks with Azerbaijan to extend the lease of the radar system that is due to expire in December. Reports say Azerbaijan has demanded Russia pay 300 million dollars instead of the previously agreed 7 million dollars for the lease. Some media reports say Russia plans to build a radar system in Armenia to block a possible attack on Iran by the US or Israel. The Gabala radar station located in north-western Azerbaijan was built in Soviet times as one of the most important elements of a missile defense system of the USSR.