Armenia

Armenia, Poland Discuss Military Cooperation and Defense Modernization

Armenian First Deputy Defense Minister and Chief of the General Staff, Lieutenant General Edward Asryan, led a delegation on a working visit to Poland from September 7, focusing on expanding military and defense-industry cooperation between the two countries.

During the visit, the Armenian delegation took part in a demonstration exercise and Asryan attended the opening of the Kielce International Defence Industry Exhibition, one of Poland’s major defense-sector events. He also held a series of meetings with representatives of the Polish military-industrial sector, providing an opportunity to examine prospects for practical cooperation in the defense field.

On September 10, Asryan met with Poland’s Chief of the General Staff, General Wiesław Kukuła. The two military chiefs reviewed the development and expansion of cooperation between the Armenian and Polish armed forces and discussed several areas of mutual interest. Armenian Ambassador to Poland Aleksandr Arzumanyan also attended the meeting.

On September 11, the Armenian government approved a draft law on ratifying the Armenia-Poland military-technical cooperation agreement, signed in Warsaw on February 26, 2026. The agreement establishes a framework for cooperation between the two defense ministries and includes provisions on military-technical cooperation, the protection of classified information, possible cooperation involving the transfer of military-technical products to third countries, and the work of a joint commission.

Armenian officials have presented the agreement as a basis for developing defense ties on the principles of equality, mutual respect and mutual benefit. The ratification process will now move to Armenia’s Constitutional Court before the draft is submitted to the National Assembly.

The latest visit also follows Yerevan’s efforts to strengthen its defense representation in Poland. In August, Armenia approved the establishment of a military attaché position at its embassy in Warsaw, specifically citing the need to develop bilateral defense and military-technical relations.

Armenia Promises Greater Transparency Over Military Non-Combat Deaths

Armenian Defense Minister Suren Papikyan has announced plans to make the ministry’s activities more public, as the armed forces face increased scrutiny following a series of non-combat-related deaths among servicemen in recent months.

On September 10, while visiting several Armenian military bases, Papikyan stated that the locations for his visit were selected in response to questions, suggestions, and concerns raised by members of the public and soldiers’ families on social media.

The minister reported that the Defense Ministry would begin providing greater public access to its activities wherever security and confidentiality requirements allow. Papikyan stressed that some aspects of military work would remain closed, but said areas that can safely be shown to the public would be made more visible.

Papikyan subsequently published footage from several of the visits, including inspections of army units, military training and a site where defensive fortifications were being constructed. He also shared footage of a meal with conscript soldiers at a military position and examined the food supplied to troops.

The recent non-combat military deaths in Armenia have drawn significant public attention, prompting the Defense Ministry to increase its public communication and transparency. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan ordered changes within the military leadership and established an interagency working group tasked with developing measures to address suicides and what Armenian authorities refer to as “non-statutory relations” in the armed forces.

Papikyan’s latest initiative therefore combines greater public communication with continued efforts to address concerns over conditions and discipline within the military. The Defense Ministry has not indicated that all military activities will become public, stressing that operational and sensitive information will remain restricted.

Papikyan Inspects UAV, Artillery Training and Military Facilities

Armenian Defense Minister Suren Papikyan carried out a series of visits to military units and training centers between September 8 and 10, focusing on personnel preparation, unmanned aerial systems, artillery training, communications and military infrastructure.

On September 8, Papikyan visited training centers for the UAV and Signal Troops, where he was briefed on personnel preparation, the organization of training, and infrastructure development. He also inspected newly constructed barracks and other military facilities.

On September 10, Papikyan visited a military unit where artillery and UAV training exercises were underway. He reviewed the training process and stressed the need for servicemen to achieve a high level of proficiency in their respective specialties.

As part of the training activities, Armenian servicemen are being prepared to operate domestically produced DEV 3-1 and UL-350 unmanned aerial systems (UAS), adding a local-defense-industry component to the country’s efforts to develop UAV capabilities and specialized personnel.

The inspections covered both operational training and the infrastructure supporting military preparation, with particular attention to UAVs, artillery, communications and locally produced military technologies.

Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan, Bulgaria Strengthen Cooperation on Military Personnel Welfare

Azerbaijan and Bulgaria held a working meeting in Baku under their 2026 bilateral military cooperation plan, with the sides exchanging experience on the cultural, social and recreational support of military personnel.

Representatives of Azerbaijan’s Defense Ministry briefed the Bulgarian delegation on measures used within the Azerbaijan Army to organize service members’ leisure time and make effective use of leave and recreational facilities.

The sides also discussed ways to further develop cooperation in this area and exchanged views on existing practices. The meeting focused on personnel welfare and the social support provided to military members, forming part of the broader defense cooperation framework between Azerbaijan and Bulgaria.

Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan Hold Military Staff Talks

Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan held staff talks under their bilateral military cooperation plan for 2026, with defense officials addressing the current state and future development of cooperation between the two countries’ armed forces.

The meeting, held at Azerbaijan’s Defense Ministry, brought together representatives of the two sides to exchange views on areas of mutual interest and assess existing military cooperation.

The officials also highlighted the role of regular contacts between the two defense ministries in facilitating the exchange of experience between the Azerbaijani and Uzbek armed forces.

The talks also included preparations for the 2027 Bilateral Military Cooperation Plan, with the sides working on a draft document that will outline the areas and activities planned for cooperation between the two defense ministries next year.

Azerbaijan, NATO Expand Military Education Cooperation

Azerbaijan hosted the fourth phase of a teacher professional development course under NATO’s Defence Education Enhancement Programme (DEEP) at the Heydar Aliyev Military Institute.

The course brought together academic and teaching staff from military educational institutions within Azerbaijan’s National Defense University, focusing on modern approaches to military education and instructor development.

The training covered the effective organization of lessons, assessment of learning outcomes, development and improvement of educational programs, and stronger interaction between instructors and students. It also addressed other contemporary practices relevant to military education.

The program is intended to strengthen the pedagogical and methodological skills of instructors, increase the use of innovative teaching methods, and improve the overall quality of education at Azerbaijan’s military institutions.

The course also forms part of Azerbaijan’s cooperation with NATO in the field of defense education, with participants applying international approaches and NATO standards to the country’s military education system.

Azerbaijan Army Starts New Training Cycle, Prioritizing Combat Readiness

A new training period has begun across Azerbaijan’s armed forces, including army corps, formations, military units and specialized military educational institutions, under a program approved by Defense Minister Colonel General Zakir Hasanov.

The launch events included the delivery of tasks assigned to the armed forces by President Ilham Aliyev, in his capacity as Supreme Commander-in-Chief, as well as directives from the Defense Ministry and General Staff concerning the maintenance of a high level of combat readiness.

According to the Defense Ministry, the new training cycle will place greater emphasis on both the quality and intensity of exercises, including wider use of advanced training methods and modern technologies.

Training will also draw on lessons from the 44-day war and subsequent military operations. Particular attention will be given to improving personnel’s ability to operate modern weapons, ammunition and military equipment across different climatic conditions and difficult terrain, as well as during both daytime and nighttime operations.

The training program will also involve improvements to the armed forces’ material and technical infrastructure, greater use of automated command-and-control systems and more comprehensive planning. The ministry said these measures are intended to create better conditions for combat training and improve the effectiveness of military units.

The new training period covers Azerbaijan’s various branches of service and military institutions, indicating a broad effort to maintain readiness while incorporating operational experience and newer technologies into regular military preparation.

Georgia

No significant military developments were reported by the Georgian authorities during this period.