Abrahamian, Eduard. "Russia and Armenia establish joint ground forces". The Central Asia-Caucasus Analyst, 16 December 2016.

Abrahamian, Eduard. "Russia and Armenia establish joint ground forces". The Central Asia-Caucasus Analyst, 16 December 2016.

• Russia and Armenia have a long history of military cooperation, beginning in 1995, with additional exercises in 1998. These exercises have emphasized interoperability against a presumably Western threat. In 2000, the states agreed to operate together in case of attack, and their forces often operate in joint formations.
• The core of joint forces in Armenia would the garrison of the 102nd Russian base and the Armenian 5th Army Corp. Air defense components of the Russian force also form of joint air defense network. The force is currently deployed on the Turkish border.
• The joint task force established on 12 November 2016 can be used to deter any perceived threats to Armenia or the Russian South Military District. There is also a condition which allows the use of the force in case of 'internal threats' to Armenia, but the author does not consider this scenario likely.
• This means that Armenian forces could potentially be used in a future conflict in the Middle East or with Georgia, raising a prospects of new, previously unconsidered fronts.
• Russia has calculated this new powerful joint ground force as a tactic to make Armenia even more unilaterally dependent on Russia for protection against its enemies, Azerbaijan and Turkey. The Armenian leadership now views Russia as indispensable to its protection from foreign and domestic threats.
• "Due to Armenia’s subservient posture vis-à-vis Russia’s regional interests, Armenia’s credibility as a sovereign state is becoming increasingly questionable. Armenian authorities appear either unable or unwilling to uphold the country’s ability to pursue independent policy, rendering Armenia’s political future fairly bleak".