Armenia has formally confirmed the acquisition of US-manufactured V-BAT unmanned aerial vehicles, marking a tangible advancement in its growing defense partnership with Washington.
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated that the drones were procured through the US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) framework, describing the transaction as part of a broader Armenia–US security cooperation agenda that has steadily expanded in recent years. The announcement was made during the visit of US Vice President JD Vance to Armenia.
The acquisition follows three consecutive years of joint “Eagle Partner” military exercises, reflecting Yerevan’s efforts to modernize elements of its defense posture through deeper engagement with the United States.
Developed by Shield AI, the V-BAT is a vertical takeoff and landing unmanned aerial system designed for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions. Its tail-sitter design enables operations without runways or launch infrastructure, making it well suited for constrained and austere operational environments.
Pashinyan emphasized that the deal is intended to serve as a platform for deeper bilateral cooperation, signaling Armenia’s interest in expanding defense ties beyond exercises and training toward concrete capability development.
The V-BAT procurement adds to a series of expanding US–Armenia defense engagements. Since 2023, the two countries have conducted the annual “Eagle Partner” joint military exercises, focused on peacekeeping operations and interoperability, with growing scope each year. US support has also widened to include enhanced training assistance, advisory cooperation, and programs in professional military education and peacekeeping readiness for Armenian forces.
