Armenia

Armenian Defense Minister Papikyan and French Ambassador Decottignies Discuss Defense Cooperation and Reforms

On August 23, the Armenian Defense Ministry reported that Suren Papikyan, the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Armenia, received Olivier Decottignies, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the French Republic to the Republic of Armenia.

During the meeting, discussions focused on the current defense cooperation between Armenia and France and upcoming joint initiatives. Particular attention was given to the ongoing reforms within the Armenian Armed Forces and the related collaborative programs with France.

Azerbaijan

International exercise

On August 19, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry reported that the Altyn Kyran – 2024 (Golden Eagle) joint tactical-special exercise commenced at the Koktal training ground in Zharkent, Kazakhstan. A contingent of Azerbaijani servicemen traveled to Kazakhstan to participate in the exercise. According to the plan, participants carried out reconnaissance tasks in mountainous areas with challenging terrain.

On the first day, the exercise included instructional and methodological training on using mountaineering equipment, climbing and descending steep rocks, providing first aid at altitude, and evacuating the injured. The primary focus was on enhancing the tactical skills of personnel for executing combat missions and boosting the combat capability of the units.

On August 24, the Altyn Kyran – 2024 exercise continued at the Koktal training ground. According to the scenario, combat unit commanders performed reconnaissance tasks after reporting their decisions to the exercise command headquarters. Units, traversing a 25-kilometer route, identified and raided shelters used by illegal armed formations in the mountainous area. They successfully executed ambushes on vehicle convoys belonging to these groups, destroyed their manpower, and completed other assigned tasks.

Notably, the Altyn Kyran – 2024 exercise aims to enhance the interoperability between Azerbaijani and Kazakh servicemen, improve the practical skills of reconnaissance units, advance camouflage techniques in mountainous and desert environments, and facilitate the exchange of experience between the participating forces.

Local exercises

On August 21, a tactical-special exercise was conducted involving the Air Defense troops' radio technical units of the Air Force. The units were brought to combat readiness and tasked with detecting small-sized, low-altitude, and low-speed targets. They also relayed this information to the relevant units.

The primary objective of the exercise was to enhance the operations staff's practical skills in repelling sudden air attacks from an imaginary enemy. The exercise also aimed to evaluate methods for effectively utilizing the combat capabilities of radio engineering and communication systems under various weather, ground, and electronic warfare conditions.

On August 23, Smerch rocket launcher units of the Rocket and Artillery Troops of the Azerbaijan Army conducted combat training exercises. The units, on alert, performed tasks including changing firing positions, identifying the coordinates of imaginary enemy targets, and destroying these targets during simulated battles.

The servicemen displayed high levels of professionalism throughout the training, which was designed to increase the units' combat readiness.

Azerbaijan’s Colonel General Valiyev Visits Kazakhstan

On August 23, Colonel General Karim Valiyev, the First Deputy Minister of Defense and Azerbaijan Army General Staff Chief, began visiting Kazakhstan. The visit was set to include observing a tactical episode of the Altyn Kyran – 2024 (Golden Eagle – 2024) joint tactical-special exercise, in which Azerbaijani servicemen are participating. Discussions were also scheduled to focus on enhancing military, military-technical, and military-educational cooperation between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan.

During his visit, Colonel General Valiyev, along with Lieutenant General Sultan Kamaletdinov, the First Deputy Minister of Defense and Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Kazakhstan, first visited the 28 Panfilov Guardsmen Park in Almaty. 

Subsequently, the delegation visited the Peace Operations Centre of the Armed Forces of Kazakhstan. They were briefed on the center’s infrastructure, educational processes, history, objectives, and activities. A meeting of the Chiefs of the General Staff followed, where they discussed the current state and future prospects of military cooperation, including military-technical and military-educational fields. Both sides highlighted the importance of intensifying mutual experience exchange and further developing their collaborative efforts.

Georgia

Georgian Defense Minister and UK Ambassador Discuss Strengthening Defense Ties

On August 23, the Georgian Ministry of Defense announced that Georgian Defense Minister Irakli Chikovani hosted Gareth Ward, the newly appointed Ambassador of the United Kingdom. Chikovani congratulated Ward on his appointment and wished him a successful diplomatic mission in Georgia. He expressed gratitude to the British side for its steadfast support of Georgia's territorial integrity and sovereignty, as well as for the practical assistance provided over the years.

The meeting highlighted the significance of the strategic partnership between Georgia and the United Kingdom. Discussions included bilateral defense cooperation, noting the important contributions of the United Kingdom to the development of the Georgian Defense Forces and their NATO integration. Both parties expressed optimism about further strengthening defense ties.