Defense Ministry: "We showed our army's abilities"
The military parade dated to the 20th anniversary of Armenia's independence was quite impressing and kept everyone in a festive spirit.
The parade was attended by numerous guests from Diaspora, Artsakh and marzes who followed the event with great elation. Armenia's first and second Presidents, Levon Ter-Petrosyan and Robert Kocharyan were among the invitees but they did not attend the festive event.
The parade started at Yerevan's Republic Square at exactly 11 a.m.
After the congratulatory message of Serzh Sargsyan, troops of the RA Police, border forces of the National Security Service, subdivision of peacekeepers, soldiers of the fourth army corps of the Armed Forces, troops of NKR Defense Army and the Russian 102nd military unit marched through the square.
Participating in the parade were also students of military-sports college named after M. Melkonyan, cadets of Vazgen Sargsyan Military Institute and cadets of Military Aviation Institute.
For the first time in the history of independent Armenia, chaplains of the Armenian Apostolic Church serving for the Armed Forces and Karabkh war veterans marched in the parade in separate columns, shouting "God preserve our independence."
The Armenian capital today saw the procession of RA military intelligence units, motorized infantry divisions, followed by panzer divisions and artillery intelligence units.
Armenian-made unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and automated fire control systems were also put on display at the square.
Talking to A1+, Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan said that the Armenian armed forces demonstrated to the rival and the international community, that our army is quite capable of securing its safety.
"We aimed to demonstrate the world, and first of all our people, that our security is in reliable hands. We demonstrated our army's abilities and qualities," said Minister Ohanyan.
The minister noted that the preparatory works lasted 25 days.
The parade was attended by Greta Sargsyan, the mother of one of the founders of Armenian army Vazgen Sargsyan.
"I am proud of our army which was formed thanks to our Yerkrapahs (land-defenders), freedom fighters and martyrs. Armenia proclaimed independence thanked to this army. Vazgen played a key role during the declaration of independence. I am very sick today but I have come to watch this glorious parade. Vazgen is not here to celebrate the holiday with his nation. I came instead of him and I am glad for it," said Greta Sargsyan.
