Armenia

Armenia, France Discuss Defense Cooperation

Armenian Defense Minister Suren Papikyan met newly appointed French Ambassador Florian Escudié on September 14, with the two sides focusing on military and defense cooperation between Armenia and France.

The meeting covered the current state and prospects of bilateral cooperation in the defense sector. The Armenian Defense Ministry described the military partnership as well established and expressed confidence that the two countries would continue developing cooperation in this field.

Papikyan congratulated Escudié on the start of his diplomatic mission and discussed the prospects for further defense engagement between the two sides.

Armenia, Germany Hold Defense Talks

Representatives of the German Armed Forces’ division responsible for bilateral relations with Eastern Europe and Asia visited Armenia on September 14, led by division head Colonel Nils Heiko Hutter.

During a meeting at Armenia’s Ministry of Defense, the sides focused on security issues, bilateral defense cooperation and prospects for further military collaboration.

The visit centered on the development of defense ties between Yerevan and Berlin, with both sides considering future areas of cooperation.

Armenia, China Address Defense Cooperation and Future Plans

Armenian Defense Minister Suren Papikyan met Chinese Minister of National Defence Admiral Dong Jun in Beijing on September 15, with the two sides focusing on bilateral military cooperation and prospects for further developing defense ties.

The officials assessed existing cooperation in the defense sphere and highlighted the importance of developing new areas of interaction and longer-term planning. Armenian Ambassador to China Vahe Gevorgyan also attended the meeting.

On September 16, Papikyan attended the opening ceremony of the 13th Xiangshan Forum in Beijing, one of the major international security and defense forums hosted by China. Papikyan also visited China’s National Defense University on September 18, where the sides reached several agreements related to defense cooperation and addressed military education and professional training.

The visit combines bilateral defense engagement with participation in a major international security forum, highlighting Armenia’s broader effort to maintain and develop military relations with a wider range of partners.

Armenia, US Coordinate on Defense Cooperation

Armenian and U.S. defense officials held a series of meetings in Yerevan between September 15 and 18, covering military training, professional development and the continuation of joint defense programs.

On September 15, Armenian First Deputy Defense Minister and Chief of the General Staff Lieutenant General Edvard Asryan met Kansas National Guard Commander Brigadier General Paul Schneider. The two sides addressed cooperation between the Armenian Armed Forces and the Kansas National Guard, including the training of professional non-commissioned officers and preparations related to the Eagle Partner exercise.

Asryan held another meeting on September 17 with Andrew Loomis, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of War. Their agenda included peacekeeping, training for non-commissioned officers, instructors and junior commanders, military education, and joint exercises and drills. Loomis confirmed that the United States would continue its cooperation with Armenia through existing programs and consider additional areas of military engagement.

On September 18, Armenia and the United States held bilateral defense consultations at the Armenian Defense Ministry. The meeting brought together Armenian defense officials, Loomis, Schneider, and representatives of the U.S. Department of War. The participants assessed defense programs carried out in recent years and considered further cooperation across multiple areas.

The Armenian side presented the cooperation as part of the ongoing transformation of the Armenian Armed Forces. At the conclusion of the consultations, the two sides signed jointly agreed minutes covering the work completed and agreements reached.

Azerbaijan

Hasanov Visits China Defense Industry Facility, Meets Defense Minister

Azerbaijani Defense Minister Colonel General Zakir Hasanov traveled to China to participate in the 13th Beijing Xiangshan Forum, where he also held high-level military and defense-industry meetings.

During the visit, Hasanov toured a production facility of the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC) and met its director and general manager, Chen Shaoyang. The Azerbaijani minister examined defense systems manufactured by the company.

Hasanov also met Chinese Minister of National Defense Admiral Dong Jun. Their meeting focused on the current state and future development of bilateral cooperation in military, military-technical, and military education fields, as well as international security and stability.

On September 16, Hasanov attended the opening of the 13th Beijing Xiangshan Forum, held under the theme “Build Consensus on Stability and Advance Security Governance Together.” The forum brought together senior defense officials from more than 100 countries, representatives of international organizations and think tanks, and military and security experts.

Azerbaijan, Belarus Explore Further Military-Technical Ties

Azerbaijani Defense Minister Colonel General Zakir Hasanov met Belarusian Defense Minister Lieutenant General Viktor Khrenin during his working visit to China for the 13th Beijing Xiangshan Forum.

The two ministers discussed prospects for further military and military-technical cooperation between Azerbaijan and Belarus, along with other matters of mutual interest.

The meeting was held as part of Hasanov’s bilateral engagements in Beijing during his participation in the international security forum.

Azerbaijan to Host Joint Military Exercise With Türkiye, Uzbekistan

Azerbaijan will host the “Power of Unity – 2026” joint military exercise with the participation of armed forces personnel from Azerbaijan, Türkiye and Uzbekistan.

The three-stage exercise will take place at the Azerbaijan Army’s Gizilgaya training center in the Garabagh economic region, the Garabaglar training center in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic and the Boyuk Zira training area in Azerbaijan’s sector of the Caspian Sea.

The drills will involve military personnel, combat equipment, naval and aviation assets and unmanned aerial vehicles. Organizers identified joint operational readiness, troop coordination and the standardization of training procedures as the main objectives, alongside improving the combat capabilities of participating units.

Turkish military personnel and aviation assets have already arrived in Azerbaijan to take part in the exercise. Azerbaijani authorities have also completed arrangements for accommodating the participants and handling other logistical requirements.

The exercise will combine land, maritime, air and unmanned systems across several training locations in Azerbaijan, providing a framework for trilateral military coordination and joint operational training.

Georgia

Georgia, US Review Defense Assistance and Military Financing

The Georgian Ministry of Defense held meetings with U.S. officials from September 14–16 to examine American security assistance to Georgia and the implementation of support provided through the U.S. Foreign Military Financing program and other assistance channels.

The Georgian side was represented by the Deputy Commander of the Defense Forces and officials from the General Staff. U.S. participants included representatives of the U.S. European Command and the Defense Security Cooperation Agency.

The meetings focused on the implementation of existing U.S. security assistance and foreign military financing, as well as other forms of support available to Georgia. The consultations covered practical aspects of bilateral defense assistance and coordination between the two countries’ military institutions.

Georgia Trains Eastern Command Drone Operators

The Georgian Defense Forces conducted training for unmanned aerial vehicle operators from the Eastern Command at the Norio training area, focusing on reconnaissance and strike drone operations.

During the exercise, operators of reconnaissance and strike FPV drones carried out individual and combined tasks involving the detection and engagement of stationary and moving targets. Training scenarios covered open terrain, forested areas, and buildings.

Observers and controllers assessed the operators’ performance positively. The exercise was part of Georgia’s broader military training program focused on improving coordination between units and strengthening combat readiness.

Russian, Abkhaz Forces Plan Large-Scale Exercise in Occupied Abkhazia

Large-scale military exercises involving Russian troops and Abkhazia’s de facto armed forces are scheduled to take place in Abkhazia from October 12 to 16, according to the office of de facto President Badra Gunba.

The maneuvers will involve permanent-readiness units and reservists of the de facto Abkhaz forces, alongside personnel from the Russian military base stationed in the region. The exercise plan includes the use of armored vehicles, artillery, aviation, precision weapons, and electronic warfare systems.

According to the de facto authorities, the drills will focus on command and control, combat operations, and the use of high-tech weapons and electronic warfare capabilities. The exercise is officially linked to the completion of the summer military training period.

The plan was approved by Gunba following consultations with de facto Defense Minister Beslan Tsvizhba and Chief of the General Staff Vladimir Savchenko.

Russia maintains the 7th Military Base in Abkhazia, one of two major Russian military installations established in Georgia’s occupied territories following the 2008 Russia-Georgia war.

The Georgian government has previously objected to Russian-led military exercises in Abkhazia, regarding them as violations of Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and of the August 12, 2008 ceasefire agreement.