Azerbaijan and Turkey conduct large military exercise in Nakhchivan
On 7 September, the Azerbaijani and Turkish land and air forces held large-scale joint military exercises in Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. Up to 5,000 people were involved in the preparation and conduct of the exercise, and more than 2,600 personnel were involved in the combat fire phase. In addition, more than 200 tanks and other armoured vehicles, about 180 different calibre missiles and artillery pieces, rocket launchers and mortars, 18 aircraft, helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles, more than 30 air defence systems and 320 nearby vehicles were also involved.
During the planning stage, it was noted that the purpose of the exercises is to expand the exchange of experience between the personnel of formations, units and divisions of the Azerbaijani and Turkish militaries. According to the scenario of the exercise, the combat shooting stage began with the neutralization of imaginary reconnaissance and sabotage groups causing panic among the civilian population. The imaginary enemy was also provoking the Rapid Reaction Battalion of the Nakhchivan Independent Border Division and special forces of the State Security Service at the border. The scenario also included an attack by Nakhchivan Garrison Troops with the units of the Turkish Armed Forces at the imaginary enemy and destroying its manpower, firearms and armoured vehicles at the bases, and capturing its positions at the ruling heights and advantageous ranges. During the attack scenario, the imaginary enemy's aircraft were destroyed, small unmanned aerial vehicles were neutralized, and airstrikes were launched on its deep-moving reserves.
To note, these exercises were the prolongation of Azerbaijani-Turkish military drills which were started on 29 July (Caucasus Watch reported).