After the collapse of the USSR and the formation of the CIS, the Soviet Army was also divided, from which the armed forces of the already independent republics were formed. To protect its borders at distant approaches, Russia was forced to conclude agreements on the location of its units in some countries of the Commonwealth. The Transcaucasian region is no exception.
One of these units is located in the Republic of Armenia, Gyumri. 102 military base is an integral part of the group of troops in the Caucasus, belonging to the Southern Military District of the Russian Federation. The chief is Major General Vladimir Ustinov.
Conscripts and cadets do not serve on the base — it is fully equipped with military contract soldiers. The total number is from 4 to 5 thousand people.
Purpose of stay
At present, in Gyumri 102, the military base carries out tasks to ensure the security of both Russia itself and the host side from possible threats from the southern borders. Along with the
201st military base deployed in Tajikistan, this unit is an extreme bastion of collective security at the borders of the CIS.
Do not forget about the Joint Air Defense System of the CIS member states created in 1995, which now also includes 102 military bases. Armenia is not only Russia's closest ally in the Transcaucasus, but also an active member of the CSTO, and military assistance is provided to it within the framework of this organization.
Indeed, according to the charter of the CSTO and bilateral treaties, any military invasion of one of the countries of the union will be regarded as an attack on all members of the organization. Given the potentially explosive borders of the republic, this is especially true. The GRVZ headquarters, which provides assistance to the FSB border guard department, is also located in the Republic of Armenia: Gyumri, 102 military base.
Placement agreement
The 102nd Russian military base was formed on the basis of units of the
Armed Forces of the USSR: motorized rifle division, 7th Army of the Soviet Union. Date of creation - September 1, 1994. The date of signing the placement agreement for a period of 25 years is March 16, 1995.
Later, the contract was extended and underwent changes. In particular, the number of troops was increased relative to the original, and the possibility of being in Armenia until 2044 was guaranteed.
According to the agreements, military base 102 is located without paying rent. In addition, Armenia supplies it with everything necessary for existence. This is due to the participation of the military in the aforementioned collective defense programs. In case of expiration, the contract is automatically extended for five years, or a termination proposal initiated by one of the countries should follow.
Combat structure
Military base 102 today is divided geographically into two parts. One of the garrisons is the capital, while the other is located directly in the vicinity of Gyumri. The first includes:
- the center of interaction of the grouping forces with the Armenian armed forces in the form of the Combat Command Unit (GBU);
- 123rd motorized rifle regiment;
- air base number 3624;
- military medical hospital;
- household part;
- Station of the Federal Border Service (FPS);
- garrison court;
- Radio center of the GRU.
Garrison in Gyumri
- 128th and 124th motorized rifle regiments.
- 992nd artillery regiment.
- 988th anti-aircraft missile regiment.
In addition, there are separate battalions that provide the 102nd base with all the necessary support. There are also information centers, an officer club, and warehouses with the necessary ammunition and equipment.
Armament and personnel
At the moment, military base 102 is equipped with the most modern types of weapons available to the Russian army. The fleet is constantly being updated and modernized.
The 124th motorized rifle regiment is equipped with three battalions using BMP-1 and BTR-70 air defense systems Shilka and Strela-1. As the main tank used T-72. The total number is up to 170 people.
The 128th motorized rifle regiment has three battalions at its disposal, equipped with BMP-2, BTR-80 and other vehicles. Air cover is provided by the same Shilka, Strela-1 system. There is artillery support with "Carnation" howitzers, as well as a tank company. The total number of regiments is up to 750 military personnel.
The 123rd motorized rifle regiment includes several mechanized battalions, a T-72 tank company and anti-aircraft installations. Artillery support is provided by the D-30 division. The number is up to 550 soldiers and officers.
The 992nd artillery regiment includes 3 Gvozdika batteries and a Grad division. The strength is up to 150 military.
The 988th anti-aircraft missile regiment is the main guarantor of providing air defense for a military base. For this, two batteries of the famous Russian S-300 complex are used. It is precisely on them that the main hopes of the Russian-Armenian group are assigned in case the enemy violates airspace. The regiment also includes three Cube anti-aircraft batteries. The number of the regiment is up to 300 people.
The 3624th air base is equipped with Russian MiG-29s, which, like the S-300, are an integral part of the CIS Integrated Air Defense System. The number is up to 200 people.
The troops also have a tank battalion of up to 250 military personnel, as well as an anti-tank company armed with the Konkurs and Fagot complexes.
There are no problems with the equipment. Neither in numbers nor in quality. Even if, as it may seem, some of the declared combat units require updating, it is necessary to take into account the fact that existing formations are constantly replenished with new equipment.
Interaction with the Armenian side
Military base 102 is constantly in a state of increased combat readiness. Shooting and maneuvering skills are practiced at three landfills assigned to a part, namely: “Kamkhud”, “Nubarashen” and “Alagez”. The first two are located in the vicinity of the capital and Gyumri itself, while the latter is in the vicinity of the Artik village.
The base submits to the command of the United Group of Forces with the Armed Forces of Armenia, whose leadership is carried out by the Deputy Minister of Defense of the Republic. The group itself consists of the 102nd base and the 5th army corps of Armenia. The close cooperation with the FSB Border Troops Directorate, mentioned earlier, is due to its proximity to the Turkish-Armenian border.
Due to the complicated Russian-Turkish relations, the presence of a military base on the territory of Armenia acquires a new meaning. None of our countries may be interested in disbanding a unit. Today, Russia not only protects the Armenian borders, but also provides general stability in the region. Given the relative proximity of Syria, the question arose many times about the possibility of using a base in this conflict, but the military has always ruled out such a scenario.