Armenia

Visit to Cyprus

On December 12, a delegation, under the leadership of Suren Papikyan, the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Armenia, embarked on an official visit to the Republic of Cyprus, the Press Office of the Armenian Defense Ministry reported. On the same day, the official visit of Suren Papikyan to the Republic of Cyprus commenced with a welcoming ceremony featuring the participation of the Cyprus National Guard honor guard unit and military band. Subsequently, a private discussion transpired between Minister Suren Papikyan and Michalis Giorgallas, the Minister of Defense of Cyprus, which was succeeded by a meeting with the participation of members of delegations. During the meeting, several issues related to Armenian-Cypriot cooperation in the defense field were discussed. The parties conducted a comprehensive review of the ongoing collaboration. They delineated the new opportunities for its advancement, expressing a shared commitment to cooperation across a broader spectrum, encompassing training programs, the exchange of expertise in various domains, military-technical cooperation, and other matters of mutual interest. Suren Papikyan thoroughly presented the "Crossroads of Peace" project developed by the Government of the Republic of Armenia to his colleague. Concluding the session, the Defense Ministers of both nations issued a joint statement for the media, reaffirming their dedication to cooperation with a comprehensive agenda.

Moreover, on the sidelines of his official visit to the Republic of Cyprus, Suren Papikyan visited the Parliament of the Republic of Cyprus and held discussions with Annita Demetriou, the President of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Cyprus, focusing on matters about Armenian-Cypriot relations and regional security.

Armenia and Greece sign cooperation agreement on military technology

On December 13, a delegation under the leadership of the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Armenia embarked on an official visit to Greece. The official visit of Suren Papikyan to the Hellenic Republic commenced on December 14th with a wreath-laying ceremony at the Unknown Soldier monument in front of the country's Parliament. After the ceremony, a formal meeting took place between Suren Papikyan and Nikolaos Dendias, the Minister of National Defense of the Hellenic Republic. The issues related to the Armenian-Greek defense cooperation were discussed. Both parties emphasized the considerable potential for cooperative development and, consequently, reached an agreement to invigorate this cooperation across various dimensions, encompassing military-technical engagements, experience exchange, educational initiatives, training programs, tactical training, and other directions. At the culmination of the meeting, the Defense Ministers of Armenia and Greece signed an Agreement "On Military-Technical Cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Armenia and the Government of the Hellenic Republic."

Within the framework of his official visit to the Hellenic Republic on December 15, Suren Papikyan met with Thanos Dokos, the National Security Advisor to the Prime Minister of Greece. Issues related to Armenian-Greek cooperation, as well as regional and international security, were discussed during the meeting. Furthermore, Minister Suren Papikyan introduced the "Crossroads of Peace" project, developed by the Government of the Republic of Armenia.

Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan discuss military cooperation

On December 14, Colonel General Karim Valiyev, the First Deputy Minister of Defense – Chief of the General Staff of the Azerbaijan Army, held a meeting with the delegation led by Major General Marat Aymashev, the Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan - Chief of the Operational Planning Department, who was on a working visit to Azerbaijan, the Press Office of the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry reported.

Colonel General Valiyev noted that bilateral military cooperation between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan is based on friendly and fraternal relations. The necessity of such meetings in terms of expanding military cooperation was emphasized.

The meeting discussed the current state and development prospects of military cooperation between the two countries and other issues of common interest.

Then, the Kazakh delegation arrived at the Main Operational Department. At the meeting with the Chief of the Main Department, Lieutenant General Azer Aliyev, a wide exchange of views was held on cooperation in the military and military-educational spheres, as well as on holding joint exercises during 2024.

At the Central Command Posts of the Azerbaijan Defense Ministry and the Air Force, as well as at the Center for War Games of the Military Administration Institute of the National Defense University, the guests were given detailed information about their main areas of activity, opportunities, and capabilities.

Local and NATO exercises

On December 15, commando units conducted tactical-special exercises in accordance with the training plan for 2023. According to the scenario, the units were put on alert and assigned to neutralize the imaginary enemy group attempting to commit sabotage. After evaluating the imaginary enemy facility by visual observation of the area and aerial reconnaissance, its military equipment was ambushed, and group members were captured. During the tactical-special exercises held in the wood area, all tasks were precisely accomplished.

On December 16, the Self-Evaluation Level-2 (SEL-2) exercise of a pair of Mi-17-1V helicopters of the Azerbaijan Air Force was conducted in one of the military units of the Air Force as part of NATO's Operational Capabilities Concept (OCC) program. First, the participants were provided with a briefing on the scenario, progress, safety rules, and exercise evaluation. The goals ahead were delivered. In the exercise, the opportunities and capabilities of air transportation (transport of cargo and troops, evacuation of the wounded) of the Mi-17-1V helicopter pair and the relevant units were checked and evaluated.

Russian soldier dies in Karabakh

On December 12, one soldier was killed as a result of the BTR-82 armored personnel carrier of the Russian peacekeeping contingent overturning the mountain road in Karabakh. According to the information from the Ministry of Defense of Russia, as a result of the accident, one serviceman of the Russian Armed Forces was killed, and two others received moderate and severe injuries.

"With the participation of the Azerbaijani side, the injured peacekeepers were given medical assistance. The injured servicemen were taken by air to the hospital of the Russian peacekeeping contingent for further treatment," the information added.

Georgia

Estonian Defense Minister visits Tbilisi

On December 12, Major General Enno Miots, the Chief of the Joint Staff of the Estonian Defense Forces, was on a visit to Georgia, the Press Office of the Georgian Defense Ministry reported. Enno Miots was hosted by Major General Giorgi Matiashvili, the Commander of the Defense Forces of Georgia. At the meeting, the parties discussed the cooperation issues between the countries in the defense field and the relationship plans. During the conversation, attention was focused on the importance of high-level visits, joint participation in international multinational training, and cooperation issues in military education. The conversation touched on relations with NATO and Estonia's support bilaterally and in the formats of the NATO-Georgia Essential Package (SNGP). Successful cooperation between the National Guard of Georgia and the Estonian Defense League was noted.

After the meeting with the Commander of the Defense Forces, the delegation of the Estonian Defense Forces was presented with a presentation on the region's security environment, the development of the Defense Forces, and future plans for cooperation in the field of cyber security.

Georgia receives new Georgian-Polish factory UAVs 

On December 14, Georgian defense forces were given unmanned airlift aerial manufactured in the Georgian-Polish factory "Delta-Webe" and American-made multifunctional Sardar systems. Georgian Defense Minister Juansher Burchuladze, Defense Forces Commander Major General Giorgi Matiashvili, Defense Agency officials, and members of the Parliamentary Majority of Georgia attended the demonstration event held at the Vaziani shooting.

The military personnel introduced the Georgian-made unmanned aerial airlift aids and American-made ground surveillance radars and tactical characteristics to the Minister of Defense. Guests attended WARMATE and FLYEYE-type drone demonstration flights, as well as observed the testing process of stationary and mobile ground radars, reconnaissance strike quadrocopters, and barrageable (Kamikadze) drones.

Notably, Delta-Webe Ltd, founded by "Delta International" Ltd and Polish company "Webe Electronics" works on the production and assembly of unmanned aviators. This project aims to develop local production of drones. At the same time, the training center created based on Delta-Web is successfully conducting the training process of drone operators. Multifunctional radar systems and unmanned aerial vehicles have been awarded in accordance with the Defense Forces Development Plan 2030. The mentioned equipment will be distributed to the subdivisions of the Defense Forces, which will contribute to strengthening the intelligence capabilities of Georgia's defense.

NATO exercises

On December 12, the Georgian Defense Ministry's Cyber Security Bureau participated in NATO cyber-learning - "Cyber Coalition 2023". One of NATO's largest cyber-defense training was held in Tallinn, Estonia's capital. It is worth noting that the Cyber Security Bureau and representatives of the Digital Governance Agency and Operational Technical Agency participated in the event. Cyberlearning aimed to expand cooperation between NATO allies and partner countries in cyberspace and improve cyber incident management and information exchange mechanisms. Over a thousand representatives of NATO, EU, and partner countries participated in the training.

On December 16, Georgia hosted the command and staff exercise Maple Arch 2023 for the second time. The leaders of the Defense Forces focused on the importance of multinational exercises in the process of increasing interoperability with NATO. The Georgian side thanked the Canadian Ministry of Defense, under whose mentorship the mentioned exercise was held. The training aimed to increase mutual compatibility between the participating countries, deepen ties between the partner countries in the field of defense, get closer to NATO standards in the process of planning and implementation of peace operations, and improve the skills necessary for effective action and decision-making. The final part of the two-week training at the NATO-Georgia Joint Training and Evaluation Center (JTEC) was attended by high-ranking military personnel of the Canadian and other participating countries' armed forces.

Along with Canadian instructors, Georgian instructors were also involved in MAPLE ARCH 23. Notably, MAPLE ARCH is an annual multinational exercise hosted by different countries on a rotating basis. The Defense Forces of Georgia participated in these exercises for the first time in 2018 with a battalion-level staff.