Armenia

Armenian Defense Minister Meets French Senate Member to Discuss Bilateral Cooperation

On April 30, the Armenian Defense Ministry reported that Suren Papikyan, the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Armenia, welcomed Ronan Le Gleut, a member of both the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Armed Forces, and the Committee on European Affairs of the French Senate. Olivier Decottignies, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the French Republic to the Republic of Armenia, was also present.

The discussions focused on enhancing Armenia-France bilateral cooperation in the defense sector and broader cooperation with the European Union. Topics concerning regional security and significant reforms within the Armenian Armed Forces were also extensively explored during the meeting.

Cooperation with NATO

On April 30, the NATO KFOR Command visited the Republic of Armenia's military contingent station in Kosovo. Captain Vardan Amiryan, the Commander of the Armenian military contingent, provided a detailed briefing on their duties in area protection and various operational facets of their service during the visit. The KFOR Command expressed high regard for the performance and contribution of the Armenian military contingent. In recognition of their exemplary service, Colonel Tim Daly, the Commander of the Camp, and Brigadier General John Bozicevic, Chief of Staff of KFOR, presented awards to Captain Vardan Amiryan and several other service members.

From April 29 to 30, Colonel Artur Yeroyan, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia, led a delegation to NATO headquarters for the annual discussions with the NATO Defense Education Enhancement Program (DEEP) in Armenia. The discussions centered on the ongoing support provided to Armenia’s military educational institutions and training centers through the DEEP framework and explored new avenues for collaboration. During these discussions, the parties finalized a cooperation program for 2024 and discussed potential cooperation opportunities for 2025. Additionally, Colonel Yeroyan engaged in a private conversation with Dacian-Tiberiu Șerban, the Director of the Cooperative Security Division of the NATO International Military Staff. They reviewed the current RA-NATO military cooperation programs and discussed possibilities for further expansion.

Since April 30, 2024, the mobile field hospital of the Military Medical Department of the Ministry of Defence of Armenia has been stationed at the Bakonykuti training center in the Varpalota region of the Hungarian Republic. This deployment is part of the multinational military exercises under the Vigorous Warrior 2024 program, organized by the NATO Center of Excellence for Military Medicine. The Vigorous Warrior 2024 is the largest international military medical event, featuring participation from military medical units of the armed forces of 32 countries, along with seven civilian organizations. The event, which will run until May 10th, sees the Armenian Armed Forces' medical unit participating as a Role 2 field hospital MTF. The exercises also include a critical stage involving the medical assessment of the mobile military medical unit according to NATO standards.

Armenian Defense Minister and US Ambassador Sign Key Security Agreement

On May 2, Suren Papikyan met with Kristina Kvien, the US Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Armenia. The discussions focused on the ongoing defense cooperation between the Republic of Armenia and the United States, assessing its current state and exploring avenues for future development. Both parties expressed a high regard for the existing level of collaboration, with the American side affirming its commitment to continue supporting the defense reforms underway in Armenia.

Additionally, the meeting touched on various regional security issues. At the meeting's conclusion, Minister Papikyan and Ambassador Kvien signed an agreement to extend the validity of the existing Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Armenia and the Government of the United States of America Concerning Cooperation in the Area of Counterproliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction, reinforcing their mutual commitment to this crucial aspect of their partnership.

Vigorous Warrior 2024 military medical exercise

On May 3, the active phase of the Vigorous Warrior 2024 military medical exercise was launched at the Bakonykuti training center in the Varpalota region of the Republic of Hungary. This significant event commenced with personnel from the Role 2 field hospital MTF, managed by the Military Medical Department of the Ministry of Defence, participating in the opening ceremony.

Colonel Dr. László Fazekas, the Director of the MILMED COE, addressed the participants. He lauded the exercise as a crucial opportunity for military medical professionals to share knowledge and experience and foster cooperation in a supportive environment. He highlighted that such exercises are invaluable for learning and collaboration.

This multinational military exercise aims to bolster practical skills through coordinated activities designed to improve the interoperability and efficiency of medical support systems among NATO member states and partner nations.

Notably, Vigorous Warrior 2024 has drawn participation from over 1,600 representatives across 32 countries and seven civilian organizations, emphasizing its scale and importance in enhancing international military-medical cooperation.

Azerbaijan

Local and international exercises

On April 30, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry reported that servicemen from the Azerbaijan Naval Forces participated in the "Kurtaran – 2024" underwater search and rescue exercises in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. The exercises involved advanced search and rescue operations, including the use of robots to locate a sunken submarine, assessing its condition, and delivering food and medical supplies to the crew via divers. Additionally, the exercises showcased high professionalism in evacuating the crew of a wrecked ship through airdrops and parachute jumps into the sea. A total of 52 representatives from 17 countries took part in these international exercises.

On May 2, the Azerbaijan Army's tank units conducted combat training sessions as part of their 2024 training plan at a combined arms training range. The training included overcoming various obstacles, managing combat vehicle operations, launching attacks from depth against an imaginary enemy, and successfully engaging targets from both static and moving positions with mounted weapons. The tankmen demonstrated exceptional professionalism, aimed at enhancing their combat effectiveness.

On May 3, the Ministry of Defense reported the commencement of a computer-assisted command-staff exercise with international participation. The initial phase involved briefings on the exercise scenario and tasks. The exercise focuses on experience sharing, coordinating joint military activities, enhancing the decision-making capabilities of staff officers, and refining their professional skills through the use of computer-assisted command-and-control systems. Various tasks were executed to test the response capabilities of the multinational Joint Task Force headquarters. The exercise is part of the EFES-2024 multinational exercise, which includes computer-assisted activities and live fire drills, continuing until May 30.

Also on May 3, the Azerbaijan Army's military personnel and aviation equipment departed for Konya, Türkiye, to participate in the "Anatolian Phoenix - 2024" International Search and Rescue Exercises. Members of the Air Force and Naval Forces, including two Su-25 attack aircraft, represent Azerbaijan in these exercises, which are set to conclude on May 17.

In another development on May 3, a ceremony was held to review the outcomes of the Wave – 2024 joint tactical exercise involving the Naval Forces and the Ministry of Emergency Situations. The exercise, conducted in Azerbaijan's territorial waters in the Caspian Sea, was deemed successful, and all assigned tasks were completed proficiently. The event concluded with recognition awards for those who excelled in the exercise.

NATO Conducts Coordination Meeting for MAREVAL Course with SHAPE Experts

On May 1, an expert group from NATO's Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) participated in a coordination meeting for the MAREVAL Course. The session provided a platform for exchanging views on various topics pertinent to the course. It was emphasized that the MAREVAL Course is designed to instruct participants in NATO standards and the Operational Capabilities Concept (OCC) methodology applicable to combat training. Approximately 30 NATO partner countries are anticipated to participate in the course.

Azerbaijani and Iranian Military Leaders Discuss Cooperation and Regional Security

On May 3, Colonel General Kerem Mustafayev, Deputy Minister of Defense and Commander of the Combined Arms Army, embarked on an official visit to the Islamic Republic of Iran. During his visit, Colonel General Mustafayev met with Major General Aziz Nasirzadeh, the First Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran, among other officials.

These meetings focused on reviewing the current state and prospects of military cooperation between Azerbaijan and Iran. Additionally, they provided an opportunity for an in-depth exchange of views on regional security matters.

Georgia

No important information was published by the Georgian side during this period.