Military base 102. The 102nd Russian military base in Gyumri (Armenia)

After the collapse of the USSR and the formation of the CIS , the Soviet Army was also divided, from which the armed forces of already independent republics were formed. To protect its borders at distant approaches, Russia was forced to conclude treaties on the location of its units in some countries of the Commonwealth. The Transcaucasus region is not an exception.

One of these units is located in the Republic of Armenia, Gyumri. 102 the military base is an integral part of the group of troops in Transcaucasia, which belongs to the Southern Military District of the Russian Federation. The commander is Major-General Vladimir Ustinov.

At the base there are no service officers and cadets - it is fully staffed by military contractors. The total number is from 4 to 5 thousand people.

Purpose of stay

To date, 102 military bases in Gyumri are carrying out tasks to ensure the security of both Russia and the host of possible threats from the southern borders. Along with the 201st military base stationed in Tajikistan, this part is an extreme bastion of collective security on the borders of the CIS.

Do not forget about the United Air Defense System created in 1995 by the CIS member states, of which 102 military bases are now a part. Armenia is not only Russia's closest ally in Transcaucasia, but also an active member of the CSTO, and it is provided with military assistance within the framework of this organization.

After all, according to the CSTO charter 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. Taking into account potentially explosive borders of the republic, this is especially important. The headquarters of the GRVZ, which supports the management of the FSB border service, is also located in the Republic of Armenia: Gyumri, 102 military bases.

Contract of accommodation

The 102nd Russian military base was formed on the basis of parts of the USSR Armed Forces: the motorized rifle division, the 7th Army of the Soviet Union. Date of creation - September 1, 1994. The date of signing the agreement on placement for a period of 25 years - March 16, 1995.

Later the contract was prolonged and undergone changes. In particular, the number of troops relative to the initial one was increased, and the possibility of being in Armenia until 2044 is guaranteed.

According to the agreements, military base 102 is located without payment of rent. In addition, Armenia supplies it with everything necessary for its existence. This is due to the participation of the military in the aforementioned collective defense programs. The contract in case of the expiration of the term is automatically extended for five years, or a proposal for termination, initiated by one of the countries, should follow.

Combat composition

Today the military base 102 is divided geographically into two parts. One of the garrisons is the capital city, while the other is located directly in the vicinity of Gyumri. The first includes:

• The center of interaction of the forces of the grouping with the Armenian armed forces in the form of the Combat Command Group (GBU);
• 123rd motorized rifle regiment;
• Aviation base at number 3624;
• Military medical hospital;
• Economic part;
• Station of the Federal Border Service (FPS);
• Garrison court;
• The GRU radio center.

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's club, warehouses with the necessary ammunition and equipment.

Armament and personnel

At the moment, the military base 102 is equipped with the most advanced weapons available to the Russian army. The machinery park is constantly updated and modernized.

The 124th motorized rifle regiment is equipped with three battalions using BMP-1 and BTR-70, the air defense system Shilka and Strela-1. The main tank is T-72. The total number is up to 170 people.

At the disposal of the 128th motorized rifle regiment there are three battalions, equipped with BMP-2, BTR-80 and other auto equipment. The cover from the air is provided by the same "Shilka", the "Strela-1" system. There is artillery support with howitzer "Carnation", as well as a tank company. The total number of the regiment is up to 750 servicemen.

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 "Carnation" batteries, the "Grad" division. The number is up to 150 military.

The 988th SAM is the main guarantor of air defense for the military base. Two batteries of the famous Russian S-300 complex are used for this purpose. It is on them that the main hopes of the Russian-Armenian group are laid in the event of an enemy violating airspace. Also in the regiment are three anti-aircraft batteries "Cube". The number of the regiment is up to 300 people.

The 3624th airbase is manned by Russian MiG-29s, which, like the S-300, are an integral part of the CIS Joint Air Defense System. The number is up to 200 people.

The troops also have a tank battalion of up to 250 servicemen, as well as an anti-tank company armed with the "Contest" and "Fagot" complexes.

With the technique of problems is not observed. Neither in size nor in quality. Even if it seems that some of the declared combat units need updating, then one must take into account the fact that the existing connections are constantly replenished with new equipment.

Interaction with the Armenian side

The military base 102 is constantly in a state of increased combat readiness. The skills of shooting and maneuvering are worked out on three polygons assigned to each other, namely: Kamhud, Nubarashen and Alagaz. The first two are located in the vicinity of the capital and Gyumri itself, while the latter is near the village of Artik.

The base is subordinated to the command of the United Group of Forces from the Armenian Armed Forces, which is headed by the Deputy Minister of Defense of the Republic. The group itself consists of the 102nd base and the 5th Army Corps of Armenia. Dense cooperation with the FSB border guards, mentioned earlier, is due to the proximity to the Turkish-Armenian border.

In view of the complicated Russian-Turkish relations, the stay of the military base on the territory of Armenia acquires a new meaning. In the disbanding of the unit, none of our countries can be interested. Russia today not only protects the Armenian borders, but also ensures overall stability in the region. Given the relative proximity of Syria, many times raised the question of the possibility of using the base in this conflict, but the military has always ruled out such a scenario.