Annual joint military drills scheduled between Armenia and the United States for the third consecutive year
In August 2025, Armenia will host the Eagle Partner military exercises, a peacekeeping training event that will see the participation of soldiers from the US Army in Europe and Africa, as well as the National Guard of Kansas. This marks the third consecutive year that these exercises have taken place, with previous editions held in 2023 and 2024.
The Armenian Ministry of Defense announced the joint military exercises, scheduled to run from August 12 to 20, with the USA, aiming to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in peacekeeping operations. The exercises will take place in Armenia and are expected to involve about 85 U.S. soldiers and 175 Armenian soldiers.
The primary focus of the Eagle Partner exercises is on peacekeeping tasks and medical evacuation procedures. These drills are designed to improve Armenia’s military professionalism and readiness for multinational operations under NATO standards, notably the 12th Peacekeeping Brigade’s preparation for NATO evaluation.
The long-term partnership between Armenia and the Kansas National Guard, established in 2003, is a significant factor in these exercises. The partnership will facilitate an exchange of management and tactical communication experience during the training.
Armenia's decision to participate in these exercises stems from its dissatisfaction with the Collective Security Treaty Organization (ODKB). The Armenian authorities explained their decision by the fact that the ODKB did not adequately respond to the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh and demonstrated an indifferent attitude to the protection of Armenia. As a result, Armenia later stated that it would not participate in the ODKB's funding.
The Kremlin has previously stated that the conduct of the Eagle Partner exercises does not contribute to the stabilization of the situation in the South Caucasus. However, Armenia sees these exercises as an opportunity to diversify its security partnerships, moving away from exclusive reliance on Russia.
This military cooperation between Armenia and the USA creates regional tensions, as Armenia is a member of the Russia-led Collective Security Treaty Organization. The growing cooperation with the U.S. may strain relations with Russia and fellow ODKB members, potentially impacting regional stability.
In early January 2025, Anthony Blinken, then US Secretary of State, stated that the exercises strengthen Armenia's ability to control its borders. Dmitry Peskov, President Vladimir Putin's press secretary, noted that it is Armenia's sovereign right to form strategic partnerships, but added that the USA has never played a particularly stabilizing role in the South Caucasus.
In February 2024, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced a freeze on Armenia's membership in the organization, signalling a strategic pivot or diversification away from Russia and its alliance. The ongoing and previous Eagle Partner military exercises between Armenia and the USA are set to further enhance Armenia’s military capabilities and foster closer Armenia-U.S. strategic ties, but also introduce complexities in Armenia’s relations with Russia and the Collective Security Treaty Organization, potentially affecting the regional security architecture in the South Caucasus.
References:
- Armenia-US military drills to take place in August
- Armenia to freeze membership in Collective Security Treaty Organization
- Armenia's pivot to the West: Challenges and Prospects
- Armenia-US military drills to take place in August
The Armenian Ministry of Defense announced that the upcoming Eagle Partner military exercises, scheduled from August 12 to 20, will involve the USA and aim to strengthen cooperation in peacekeeping operations, as part of a broader strategic pivot or diversification away from Russia. ('politics', 'general-news')
These exercises, which will involve about 85 U.S. soldiers and 175 Armenian soldiers, are primarily focused on peacekeeping tasks and medical evacuation procedures, designed to improve Armenia’s military readiness for multinational operations under NATO standards. ('politics', 'general-news')
