Armenia

Armenia and Poland Deepen Defense Cooperation in Warsaw Talks

On May 5, Suren Papikyan, the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Armenia, continued his official visit to the Republic of Poland with a series of institutional and military engagements. During a visit to the Warsaw University of War Studies, Papikyan met with the leadership of the institution, where he was presented with the university’s organizational structure, the education process, and the curriculum framework. He also met with servicemen of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia who are currently studying at the university.

Later during the visit, Papikyan proceeded to the First Mechanized Brigade in Warsaw. He toured the brigade’s facilities and became familiar with the service conditions of the personnel, as well as the weapons systems and military equipment presented there.

On May 6, Suren Papikyan, the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Armenia, was officially received at the Ministry of National Defense of Poland in Warsaw, where a solemn welcoming ceremony was held with the participation of a guard of honor and the playing of the national anthems of Armenia and Poland.

Following the ceremony, Papikyan held a private meeting with Władysław Kościńska-Kamysz, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense of Poland, which was later expanded to include official delegations from both sides. During the discussions, the two ministers expressed satisfaction with the current level of bilateral defense cooperation, noting that it is being implemented in line with the 2026 cooperation plan signed between the two ministries.

The sides identified military education, exchange of professional experience, and participation in joint exercises as priority directions for further cooperation. They also discussed the importance of advancing military-technical cooperation within the framework of the agreement signed in February of the same year on military-technical collaboration. It was agreed that the discussions would continue in Yerevan, and Papikyan extended an official invitation to Kościńska-Kamysz to visit Armenia.

The two ministers also reached an understanding on the establishment of a Defense Attaché office at the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia in Warsaw in the near future. In addition, they exchanged views on regional and international security developments. 

Armenia and Slovakia Chart Path Toward Deeper Defense Cooperation in Warsaw Talks

On May 5, Suren Papikyan, the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Armenia, held a meeting in Warsaw with Robert Kalinyak, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense of Slovakia. During the discussions, the two sides addressed matters related to Armenia–Slovakia cooperation in the defense sector and reviewed potential avenues for expanding collaboration.

Both officials emphasized the importance of developing cooperation in areas such as military education, the exchange of professional experience, joint exercises, and military-technical interaction. At the conclusion of the meeting, the parties reached an understanding to move toward practical implementation of the agreed directions in the near future.

Azerbaijan

Military Exercise

On May 5, preparation activities for the "EFES-2026" multinational exercise continued in the Republic of Türkiye with the participation of servicemen from the Azerbaijan Army. As part of the planned training program, artillery and mortar firing exercises were conducted at various training grounds, focusing on improving combat readiness within an international operational framework.

On May 7, the "EFES-2026" multinational joint exercise, held in Türkiye with the involvement of Azerbaijani military personnel, continued successfully. In line with the next stage of the exercise plan, servicemen from Azerbaijan, Türkiye, Albania, Niger, Nigeria, and Romania participated in tactical drills involving search operations in caves, shelters, and tunnels, as well as mountaineering training. Conducted under conditions adapted to real combat scenarios, the exercise aimed to enhance interoperability among participating forces. Azerbaijani Army servicemen, alongside their counterparts, demonstrated a high level of professionalism and effective execution of assigned tasks throughout the training activities.

On May 8, a Joint Tactical-Special Exercise involving Electronic Warfare units was conducted in Baku with the participation of servicemen from the Azerbaijan Army and the Turkish Armed Forces. The exercise was observed by the leadership of the Ministry of Defense and other senior officials. Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan, was briefed on the theme of the exercise, as well as its stages and sequence of execution. It was noted that the drills were aimed at improving both the theoretical knowledge and practical skills of the personnel. During the exercise, participants practiced modern methods of warfare in coordination with various branches of troops, utilizing advanced technologies. The assigned tasks were successfully carried out, achieving the intended objectives. The leadership of the Ministry of Defense positively assessed the tactical and special operations conducted by the units, as well as the overall combat readiness of the personnel involved.

Azerbaijan and Türkiye Hold Talks on Weapons of Mass Destruction Protection

On May 5, a meeting between Azerbaijani and Turkish representatives was held in Baku, focusing on strengthening cooperation in the field of protection against weapons of mass destruction and monitoring global developments in this area.

Lieutenant General Azer Aliyev, the Azerbaijani representative, expressed satisfaction at welcoming the Turkish delegation to Azerbaijan, stating that relations between Azerbaijan and Türkiye, rooted in friendship and brotherhood, have been rapidly developing in the military sphere and have reached the level of a strategic partnership.

During the meeting, it was emphasized that reciprocal visits play an important role in the continuous analysis of activities related to radiological, chemical, and biological protection, taking into account global and regional trends. It was also noted that such cooperation helps maintain the capabilities of the armed forces at a high level of readiness.

The sides further discussed the current state of cooperation in military, military-technical, and other related fields, and exchanged views on issues of mutual interest.

Uzbekistan Studies Azerbaijan’s Military Education System in Baku Visit

On May 7, a delegation of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Uzbekistan visited Azerbaijan in accordance with the military cooperation plan between the Ministries of Defense of Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan.

During a meeting held at the National Defense University (NDU), the Uzbek delegation was briefed on the university’s history of establishment, its main activities, and the network of specialized educational institutions operating under its structure. The current state of the military education system was also reviewed and analyzed.

As part of the visit, the delegation toured several institutions under the NDU, including the Military Management Institute, the Foreign Languages Center, the Military Games Center, and the Military Institute named after Heydar Aliyev. The guests were provided with detailed information on the organization of the educational process, as well as the conditions created in classrooms, training facilities, and administrative buildings.

Azerbaijan and Georgia Deepen Cyber Defense Cooperation Through Military Specialists’ Meeting in Baku

On May 7, a working meeting of military cybersecurity specialists from the Republic of Azerbaijan and Georgia was held in Baku in accordance with the bilateral military cooperation plan for 2026 between the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Defense of Georgia.

During the meeting at the General Staff of the Azerbaijan Army, the sides conducted an extensive exchange of views on expanding cooperation between the military institutions of both countries in the fields of information security and cybersecurity. The importance of such mutual visits in facilitating the exchange of professional experience was emphasized.

The discussions also covered a range of other issues of mutual interest, with both sides underlining the value of continued coordination in strengthening cybersecurity capabilities.

Azerbaijan Expands Military Partnerships at SAHA 2026

On May 8, a delegation led by Agil Gurbanov, the Deputy Minister of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Director General, paid a working visit to the Republic of Türkiye to participate in the SAHA 2026 International Defence and Aerospace Exhibition.

During the visit, Gurbanov held a series of meetings with Yaşar Güler, the Minister of National Defense of the Republic of Türkiye, Haluk Görgün, the President of the Secretariat of Defense Industries under the Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye, and Lord Vernon Coaker, the Minister of State for Defence of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The discussions focused on the current state of cooperation in military and military-technical fields, prospects for future development, and other matters of mutual interest.

Following the meetings, the Azerbaijani delegation toured the exhibition, where they familiarized themselves with displays showcasing military aviation systems, advanced aeronautics, artificial intelligence-based innovations, and space research technologies developed by leading international companies.

Gurbanov also met with representatives of defense ministries and military-industrial sectors from Germany, Italy, Sudan, the United Kingdom, and Vietnam, as well as senior officials from companies including ASELSAN, Baykar, Roketsan, TUSAŞ, and ARCA Savunma. These meetings included detailed discussions on potential areas of military-technical cooperation and future partnership opportunities.

Azerbaijan was represented at the exhibition with a national pavilion by MIRAS Military-Industrial Company LLC under the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Georgia

Georgia and Türkiye Reaffirm Strategic Defense Partnership in Introductory Tbilisi Meeting

On May 6, Irakli Chikovani, the Vice Prime Minister of Georgia and Minister of Defense, held an introductory meeting at the Ministry of Defense with Mustafa Türker Ari, the Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to Georgia.

Chikovani congratulated the newly appointed ambassador and wished him success in his future diplomatic activities. During the meeting, he emphasized Türkiye’s significant contribution and material-technical assistance to the development process of the Georgian Defense Forces.

The sides discussed cooperation within bilateral and trilateral defense formats and exchanged views on future prospects for expanding collaboration in the defense sphere. Particular attention was given to issues related to ensuring peace and stability in the region, as well as the importance of further deepening the strategic partnership between Georgia and Türkiye.

The meeting was also attended by Paata Patiashvili, the First Deputy Minister of Defense of Georgia, Colonel İlhan Öktemdural, the Defense Attaché of the Republic of Türkiye in Georgia, and representatives of the Turkish Embassy.

NATO Official Visits Georgia to Reinforce Partnership and Review Joint Training Capabilities at Krtsanisi Center

On May 8, Irakli Chikovani, the Deputy Prime Minister of Georgia and Minister of Defense, held an introductory meeting at the Ministry of Defense with Kevin Hamilton, the newly appointed Special Representative of the NATO Secretary General for the Caucasus and Central Asia and Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Partnerships.

Chikovani congratulated Hamilton on his appointment and wished him success in his future endeavors. During the meeting, the sides discussed the main directions and future prospects of NATO–Georgia cooperation, with particular focus on the results achieved over many years of partnership, including initiatives under the NATO–Georgia Essential Package (SNGP). Hamilton expressed appreciation to the Georgian side for its contribution to strengthening common Euro-Atlantic security. The importance of practical cooperation with NATO was emphasized, particularly in the context of defense transformation and increasing interoperability with Alliance standards.

In continuation of the visit, Kevin Hamilton traveled to Krtsanisi, where he visited the NATO–Georgia Joint Training and Evaluation Center (JTEC). He was hosted by Paata Patiashvili, the First Deputy Minister of Defense of Georgia, Major General Irakli Chichinadze, the Deputy Commander of the Defense Forces, and representatives of the center.

During a briefing held at the facility, Hamilton was informed about the history, mission, structure, development, and ongoing and future projects of JTEC. He also toured the center’s infrastructure and was introduced to its modern operational capabilities.

Military Exercise

On May 10, servicemen of the 42nd Combined Tank Battalion of the 4th Infantry Brigade of the Eastern Command of the Georgian Defense Forces conducted a mission-oriented field training exercise involving tank units and mechanized personnel of the battalion.

During the exercise, participants carried out phased counterattack maneuvers against a simulated opposing force position. The training was designed to enhance the battalion’s ability to perform collective tasks in coordination with supporting elements and to improve overall operational readiness.

The primary objective of the exercise was to assess and further develop the unit’s capability to execute coordinated combat missions within a combined arms framework.