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“As a defense minister, I would like our budget to double and triple, but given our economic opportunities, today's budget is enough to properly address all challenges," Armenian Defense Minister Davit Tonoyan told reporters in the parliament on Monday.

According to the minister, the defense spending envisaged by the 2020 draft state budget has not reduced. "There have been some reductions in our credit allocations which have been directed at increasing our capacities,” Tonoyan said.

Asked when Armenia expects to receive Russian-made Su-30 fighter jets, the minister said they will arrive in Armenia either in December or January-February 2020.

Commenting on the arms purchase process, Tonoyan said the Armenian Armed Forces are mostly purchasing new and modernized weapons. 

“This applies to both 2019 and 2020. We are to acquire new and modernized weaponry both by contracts and loan programs. They will be purchased from different countries,” he said.