Armenia

Armenian Defence Minister Holds Meetings With Ambassadors From France, Cyprus, UK, And Czech Republic

Between October 6 and 10, Armenia’s Minister of Defence Suren Papikyan held meetings with ambassadors from France, Cyprus, the United Kingdom, and the Czech Republic to discuss defence cooperation and regional and international security.

On October 6, Suren Papikyan received Olivier Decottignies, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the French Republic to Armenia. During the meeting, both sides discussed the development of Armenia–France defence cooperation and exchanged views on regional and international security matters. On October 7, Papikyan met with Michael Mavros, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Cyprus to Armenia. The parties focused on strengthening Armenia–Cyprus cooperation in the defence sector and shared perspectives on regional and international security issues.

On October 9, the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Armenia received Alexandra Cole, the newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United Kingdom to Armenia. Minister Papikyan congratulated the Ambassador on the start of her diplomatic mission and wished her success in further developing Armenia–UK relations. The meeting covered Armenia–United Kingdom defence cooperation and included an exchange of views on regional and global security challenges.

On October 10, Papikyan held a meeting with Petr Pirunčík, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Czech Republic to Armenia, and Lieutenant Colonel Jiří Mráček, the newly appointed Military and Air Attaché residing in Tbilisi. Minister Papikyan congratulated Lieutenant Colonel Mráček on assuming his duties and wished him success in his work. The meeting addressed issues related to Armenia–Czech defence cooperation, along with discussions on regional and international security.

Azerbaijan

Zakir Hasanov Meets UK Ambassador

On October 6, Zakir Hasanov, the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan, held a meeting with Fergus Auld, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to Azerbaijan. During the meeting, Minister Hasanov emphasized the importance of bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and the United Kingdom across multiple sectors, including the military, noting that these ties significantly contribute to the development of both nations’ armed forces. In response, Ambassador Auld expressed satisfaction with the current level of cooperation and highlighted the value of such meetings in further strengthening bilateral relations. The meeting, also attended by Lieutenant Commander Gavin Tarbard, the United Kingdom’s defense attaché in Azerbaijan, focused on prospects for enhancing military cooperation, regional security, and other matters of mutual interest.

Local and International Exercise

On October 7, a training session for a group of reservists was held in the Combined Arms Army as part of joint activities with the State Service for Mobilization and Conscription. Following registration and medical examinations, reservists received military uniforms and necessary supplies. They attended briefings on various topics, including military regulations, relevant legislation, and safety rules. The session included activities according to the daily routine, with classes on combined-arms and specialized training, as well as firing exercises using small arms and grenade launchers.

On October 11, a group of servicemen from the Azerbaijan Army departed for Uzbekistan to take part in the "Unity-2025" (Birlik-2025) joint regional exercise in the Samarkand region. The exercise involves commando and UAV personnel from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, focusing on enhancing the professionalism of participating military personnel in anti-terror operations, maintaining regional peace, and exchanging mutual experience. The joint exercise is scheduled to continue until October 21.

During the same period, Karim Valiyev, the First Deputy Minister of Defense and Chief of the General Staff of the Azerbaijan Army, visited Türkiye at the invitation of Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu, the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Türkiye, to attend the Distinguished Visitors Day of the "Ateş Serbest-2025" exercise. Colonel General Valiyev held a meeting with his Turkish counterpart to discuss issues related to military cooperation between the two countries and also participated in the activities of the exercise.

Azerbaijan, Georgia, And Türkiye Conduct Bilateral And Trilateral Defense Meetings Covering ICT, UAVs, Cybersecurity, Military-Technical Cooperation, Regional Security, And Joint Exercises

Between October 7 and 9, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Türkiye held a series of bilateral and trilateral defense meetings, focusing on ICT, UAVs, cybersecurity, regional security, and military cooperation.

On October 7, a working meeting was held between military specialists in information and communications technologies from Azerbaijan and Georgia at the International Military Cooperation Department of the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan. During the meeting, participants exchanged views on communication systems, IT infrastructure, server management, and the application of AI, addressing a range of issues related to joint cooperation and answering questions of mutual interest.

On October 8, a delegation from the Georgian Ministry of Defense visited Azerbaijan to exchange experiences in the field of UAVs. The Georgian guests were briefed on the use of UAVs in the Azerbaijani Army, their deployment in combat operations, the organization of combat flights, and trends in UAV development. Questions of common interest were addressed, and the importance of such exchanges for experience sharing was emphasized.

Also on October 8, military cybersecurity specialists from both countries convened in Tbilisi. Lieutenant Colonel Elshan Hasanov, the Chief of the Cybersecurity Service of the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan, met with Luka Mgeladze, the Head of the Cybersecurity Bureau of the Ministry of Defense of Georgia, at the Georgian Ministry of Defense. The meeting focused on further developing cybersecurity cooperation, exploring new opportunities, and implementing joint projects. The Azerbaijani delegation visited the monument to the National Leader in Heydar Aliyev Park and laid flowers in his memory, followed by a visit to the Shindisi Memorial to honor Georgia’s heroic soldiers. After the meeting, the Azerbaijani delegation visited the David Agmashenebeli Georgian National Defence Academy and observed cadets’ computer science training.

On October 9, Zakir Hasanov, the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan, who was on an official visit to Türkiye, met with Yaşar Güler, the Minister of National Defense of Türkiye. Both sides underscored the successful development of fraternal ties and the strategic alliance between Azerbaijan and Türkiye, particularly in defense, and reaffirmed that further enhancement of military cooperation remains a key priority. The discussions also covered military, military-technical, and military-educational collaboration, as well as regional security, mechanisms for peace and stability, and other mutual interests.

On the same day, Zakir Hasanov visited Ankara to participate in the 12th Azerbaijan-Georgia-Türkiye Defence Ministers’ Trilateral Meeting. A bilateral meeting was held with Irakli Chikovani, the Minister of Defense of Georgia, where both ministers highlighted that military cooperation contributes to peace, stability, and security in the region. They stressed the importance of regular mutual visits, joint exercises, and trilateral and bilateral formats for developing military cooperation and ensuring the prosperity of both nations in a stable environment.

The 12th Azerbaijan-Georgia-Türkiye Defence Ministers’ Trilateral Meeting in Ankara brought together Zakir Hasanov, Irakli Chikovani, and Yaşar Güler to discuss the regional military-political situation, advancing trilateral military cooperation, ensuring the security of regional projects, and exploring new prospects in military, military-technical, military-educational, and military medicine fields. The parties emphasized that trilateral cooperation is crucial for peace, stability, regional security, sustainable development, and the well-being of the nations. They also highlighted the importance of joint trilateral and bilateral exercises and conducted a detailed exchange of views on other issues of common interest in military cooperation. The meeting concluded with a press conference for media representatives following the signing of the protocol.

Azerbaijan And Bosnia-Herzegovina Hold 1st Staff Talks

On October 8, the 1st Staff Talks between the Ministries of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Bosnia and Herzegovina were held at the Department of International Military Cooperation of the Azerbaijan Ministry of Defense. During the meeting, representatives from various departments discussed directions for bilateral cooperation and developed a draft plan for joint activities in 2026. Both sides provided detailed information on the structures of their Defense Ministries and ongoing reforms. The meeting concluded with confidence that continued military cooperation would be mutually beneficial.

Caspian Sea Littoral States Hold Naval Commanders’ Meeting

On October 8, Navy Commanders of the Caspian Sea littoral states convened in St. Petersburg, Russian Federation. The meeting was attended by a delegation led by Shahin Mammadov, 1st grade Captain and Commander of the Azerbaijan Navy. Discussions focused on regional security in the Caspian Sea, military-naval cooperation, the organization of joint exercises, and other matters of mutual interest. Within the framework of the event, participants held negotiations on hydrography cooperation, exploring opportunities to enhance navigation safety, exchange hydrographic data, and conduct joint research. The meeting also addressed expanding cooperation formats among Caspian littoral states to strengthen mutual trust and regional security.

Zakir Hasanov Sends Condolences To Pakistan Armed Forces

On October 9, Zakir Hasanov, the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan, conveyed his condolences to Sahir Shamshad Mirza, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. In his condolence letter, Hasanov stated: "I am deeply saddened by the news of the deaths of a group of servicemen of the fraternal Pakistan Armed Forces resulting from the terrorist attack in the Orakzai district of the remote Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province bordering Afghanistan. I pray to Almighty Allah for the repose of the souls of the deceased and extend my deepest condolences to their families. May Allah grant eternal peace to the deceased".

Karim Valiyev Meets Slovak General Daniel Zmeko

On October 9, Karim Valiyev, the First Deputy Minister of Defense and Chief of the General Staff of the Azerbaijan Army, met with a delegation led by Daniel Zmeko, the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Slovak Republic. During the official welcoming ceremony at the General Staff of the Azerbaijan Army, following a ceremonial passage in front of the guard of honor, the National Anthems of Azerbaijan and Slovakia were performed, and the Book of Honor was signed according to protocol.

At the meeting, Colonel General Valiyev expressed satisfaction at receiving the delegation in Azerbaijan and highlighted the significant potential for developing cooperation between Azerbaijan and Slovakia in military, military-technical, and military-educational fields. General Zmeko thanked his hosts for the hospitality, emphasizing that such visits strengthen military relations and contribute to the development of both countries’ armed forces. The meeting also included a detailed exchange of views on defense matters of mutual interest.

The Slovak delegation visited the Cybersecurity Center to learn about measures ensuring the cybersecurity of modern weapon systems and IT equipment in service with the Azerbaijan Army, including AI-powered cybersecurity tools. They also visited the Air Force Combat Control Center, receiving a comprehensive briefing on its organizational structure, operational principles, and main activities. The delegation concluded their visit with a tour of an Azerbaijan Air Force military unit, where they were briefed on the unit’s operations and shown aviation and technical equipment in service.

Azerbaijan And UAE Discuss Air Force Cooperation And Prospects

On October 9, Namig Islamzade, the Deputy Minister of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Commander of the Air Force, met with a delegation led by Rashed Mohamed Al Shamsi, Major General and Commander of the United Arab Emirates Air Force and Air Defence, who was on an official visit to Azerbaijan.

The delegation first visited the Alley of Honor, laying wreaths and flowers at the graves of Heydar Aliyev, the National Leader of the Azerbaijani people, and Zarifa Aliyeva, a prominent ophthalmologist and academician, paying tribute to their memory. They then visited Victory Park and honored the Victory Monument with a wreath. Following the official welcoming ceremony at the Air Force Central Command Post, a meeting was held between the Commanders of the Azerbaijani and UAE Air Forces. The sides conducted a broad exchange of views on the activities of their Air Forces, discussed new prospects, and addressed other matters of mutual interest. The UAE delegation was subsequently briefed on the command center’s main activities, equipped with modern management systems in line with current standards, and their questions were answered at the conclusion of the visit.

Iranian Defense University Delegation Visits Azerbaijan

On October 9, a delegation from the Supreme National Defense University of the Islamic Republic of Iran visited Azerbaijan. The Iranian delegation first visited Victory Park and laid a wreath at the Victory Monument, followed by a visit to the Alley of Martyrs, where they paid tribute with wreaths and flowers.

Gunduz Abdulov, Major General and Rector of the National Defense University of Azerbaijan, met with the delegation led by Javad Dadashzadeh, Rear Admiral and Deputy Rector for Training and Education of the Supreme National Defense University of Iran. During the large-format meeting, the guests were briefed on the history, educational system, and main activities of the National Defense University, as well as recent reforms in military education within the Azerbaijan Army and their successful outcomes. The delegation then visited the Military Administration Institute under the NDU, where Colonel Elnur Alasgarli, Rector of the institute, provided extensive information on its operations.

The Iranian guests also toured the Jamshid Nakhchivanski Military Lyceum, visited monuments of the National Leader Heydar Aliyev and Jamshid Nakhchivanski, explored a photo exhibition on the life and political activities of Heydar Aliyev, and signed the Book of Memory. Anar Mirzayev, Colonel, Hero of the Patriotic War and Chief of the Lyceum, briefed the delegation on the lyceum’s educational system. During the meetings, the sides exchanged views on prospects for cooperation in science and education, discussed mutual interests in advancing military education between Azerbaijan and Iran, and addressed questions raised by the guests.

Georgia

Irakli Chikovani Meets French Ambassador

On October 7, Irakli Chikovani, the Vice Prime Minister of Georgia and Minister of Defense, held an introductory meeting with Olivie Courto, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of France. Chikovani congratulated the newly appointed ambassador on the commencement of his diplomatic mission and wished him success in Georgia. During the meeting at the Ministry of Defense, the parties discussed current issues and prospects for bilateral cooperation between Georgia and France in the defense sector. The minister also expressed gratitude for France’s consistent support of Georgia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. The meeting was attended by Paata Patiashvili, First Deputy Minister of Defense, and Philip Grussenmeier, Second Rank Captain and French Military Attaché.

Georgia Participates In Azerbaijan-Turkey-Georgia Defense Ministerial

On October 9, Irakli Chikovani, the Deputy Prime Minister of Georgia and Minister of Defense, visited the Republic of Turkey to participate in the Azerbaijan-Turkey-Georgia defense ministerial. During the visit, Chikovani held a bilateral meeting with Yashar Guler, the Minister of National Defense of Turkey, thanking him and the Turkish side for their unwavering support of Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Georgian minister emphasized Turkey’s contributions through material, technical, and financial assistance in developing the Georgian Defense Forces, including the Strategic National Grant Package (SNGP) initiatives.

The two sides discussed bilateral defense cooperation, which has been developing dynamically for more than two decades, and addressed issues related to global security, the Black Sea region, and associated challenges. Chikovani highlighted the strategic importance of Georgia-Turkey cooperation and noted the positive dynamics demonstrated through high-level visits, including the recent official visit of the President of Georgia to Turkey. The trilateral defense ministerial rotates annually among the three countries; in 2024 it was held in Georgia, and this year the meeting of the defense agency heads of Azerbaijan, Turkey, and Georgia was hosted in Ankara.

Local Exercises

On October 8, representatives of the Cybersecurity Bureau of Georgia participated in the "Cyber Dawg" cyber training at the Georgia Center for Cyber Innovation and Learning, held at the invitation of the US State Guard of Georgia. The training aimed to ensure the security of critical infrastructure through real-life cyber crisis simulations, involving US military and civilian services, as well as partner countries. According to the scenario, defense teams were tasked with protecting IT infrastructure by identifying and responding to incidents. The team from the Cybersecurity Bureau won first place for handling the highest number of cyber incidents. The event formed part of the ongoing cooperation between Georgia and the Georgia National Guard, supporting the development of the Georgian Defense Forces’ cyber capabilities.

During the visit, a meeting was held at the Ministry of Defense, where Luka Mgeladze, Head of the Cybersecurity Bureau, presented the structure, objectives, and current and planned projects of the Bureau to the Azerbaijani delegation. Vice-Colonel Elshan Rovshan Hasanov, Head of the Cybersecurity Service of the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan, briefed the parties on the activities of the Azerbaijani service. Both sides agreed to deepen bilateral cooperation in cybersecurity. The Azerbaijani delegation also visited the David Aghmashenebeli National Defense Academy of Georgia and met with cadets in the Bachelor's Program in Informatics. They paid tribute to fallen heroes at the Shindisi Memorial. This visit marked the third meeting between the Georgian Cybersecurity Bureau and the Azerbaijani Cybersecurity Service under the bilateral cooperation plan.

On October 11, field training was conducted at the Gela Chedia Special Operations Base in Mukhrovani for military personnel completing six months of the National Military Service. Infantrymen from the 4th Infantry Brigade, 43rd Battalion of the Eastern Sardar of the Georgian Defense Forces, participated in practical exercises focused on overcoming water obstacles. Training included techniques for river crossing and the use of relevant equipment, aimed at enhancing soldiers’ combat readiness and practical skills in real-world conditions. Starting in 2025, recruits joining the National Military Service will continue to contribute to building a strong defense reserve and strengthening Georgia’s overall defense capability.

On October 12, the 62nd Artillery Battalion of the 6th Artillery Brigade of the Western Sardar completed a two-week mission-oriented field exercise. The final session, held at the Orpolo shooting range, involved combat shooting, artillery fire support, and a conditional artillery raid on an enemy target. The drills aimed to improve combat readiness, refine command and control, and enhance coordinated operations within the battalion.