France Bolsters Armenia's Air Defenses with Weapons Amid Rising Tensions

France is selling military equipment, including air defense systems, to Armenia amid concerns that Azerbaijan may launch further attacks following its seizure of Nagorno-Karabakh. The move comes as Armenia seeks to distance itself from Russia and strengthen ties with the West. France, with Europe's largest Armenian diaspora community, has been increasing defense cooperation with Armenia and will provide military training and assistance in auditing Armenia's air defense. There are fears that Azerbaijan could target the southern region of Syunik, which borders Iran, and create a corridor connecting Azerbaijan to its exclave of Nakhchivan. Azerbaijan denies plans for a full-blown invasion of Armenia.