Armenia

Armenia and France Reaffirm Commitment to Strengthening Defense Cooperation in Key Meetings

On December 16, the Armenian Defense Ministry reported that Suren Papikyan, the Minister of Defence of Armenia, held a meeting with General Fabien Mandon, the Military Adviser and Chief of the Military Staff to the President of France, during his working visit to the French Republic. Arman Khachatryan, the Armenian Ambassador to France, also attended the meeting. Discussions focused on Armenia-France defense cooperation, covering military education, training programs, advisory support, military-technical matters, and regional and international security issues.

On December 17, 2024, Minister Papikyan met with Cédric Perrin, the Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Armed Services of the French Senate, along with other Senate members. The discussions highlighted bilateral defense cooperation, with Minister Papikyan emphasizing the high level of existing collaboration and the prospects for further development. He credited these achievements to the Senate's continuous support. Perrin reaffirmed the Senate's commitment to advancing defense cooperation and addressed regional security threats.

On December 17, Suren Papikyan met with Sébastien Lecornu, the French Minister for the Armed Forces. An official welcoming ceremony, including a guard of honor and the national anthems of both countries, preceded the meeting. Minister Papikyan expressed condolences to the victims of a cyclone in Mayotte, a French overseas territory, and wished the injured a speedy recovery.

During the meeting, the two ministers discussed the current state of Armenia-France defense cooperation. Papikyan emphasized the importance of implementing previously reached agreements and achieving new ones. Both parties reaffirmed that bilateral defense cooperation is grounded in long-term institutional frameworks, with Lecornu confirming France’s commitment to further developing this partnership.

Armenia-Greece-Cyprus Defense Consultations in Athens Focus on Strengthening Military Cooperation

On December 19, bilateral Armenia-Greece and trilateral Armenia-Greece-Cyprus defense consultations were held in Athens, with Levon Ayvazyan, the Head of the Defence Policy and International Cooperation Department of the Armenian Ministry of Defense, leading the Armenian delegation. The consultations focused on reviewing the progress made in defense cooperation in 2024 and outlining tasks for 2025. The parties noted significant advancements in both the capacity and content of cooperation, emphasizing areas requiring more long-term, systematic efforts.

Levon Ayvazyan highlighted the ongoing transformation of the Armenian Armed Forces and praised the contributions of Greek and Cypriot partners, particularly in training various branches of the Armenian military, military education, exercises, experience exchange, and advisory support. Discussions also touched on recent regional and international military-political developments.

The consultations concluded with the signing of the Armenia-Greece bilateral and Armenia-Greece-Cyprus trilateral defense cooperation programs for 2025, which outline numerous initiatives across various sectors crucial to the functioning of the Armed Forces. The parties underscored the importance of holding regular defense consultations to strengthen ongoing collaboration.

Armenia Holds Consultation on Domestic Military Industry Development with Defense and High-Tech Ministers

On December 20, a consultation on the development of Armenia's domestic military industry took place at the Ministry of Defense's administrative complex, attended by Minister of Defense Suren Papikyan and Minister of High Technology Industry Mkhitar Hayrapetyan. Heads and representatives from several Armenian military-industrial companies also participated.

Minister Papikyan welcomed the attendees, emphasizing the active involvement of Armenian military-industrial companies in providing weapons, ammunition, technical equipment, and various resources. He assured that the government would continue to support the development and advancement of the sector. Minister Hayrapetyan highlighted the significance of the sector's growth and affirmed that the ministry would remain committed to addressing challenges and fostering open, transparent discussions with military-industrial companies. He emphasized the importance of making such consultations a regular practice.

Officials and company directors presented their work, achievements, and plans for the coming year. The consultation also addressed a range of issues concerning cooperation and interaction within the sector.

Azerbaijan

Local Exercise

On December 17, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry reported that a training session for a group of reservists was held in military units as part of joint activities with the State Service for Mobilization and Conscription. The reservists received military uniforms and other supplies after completing the registration process and medical examinations.

The training session included various tasks, with the reservists' physical fitness being evaluated. Classes included hand-to-hand combat, unarmed self-defense techniques, and first aid. The reservists were also instructed on the tactical and technical features of modern weapons, military equipment used by the Azerbaijani Army, and drills training.

During tactical-special classes, the reservists practiced approaching an imaginary enemy and capturing a residential area, along with other exercises relevant to commando military units. All tasks set for the training session were accomplished.

Azerbaijan and Turkey Enhance Strategic Military Partnership in December Talks

On December 17, Colonel General Karim Valiyev, First Deputy Minister of Defense and Chief of the General Staff of the Azerbaijan Army, met with a delegation from the Turkish Armed Forces Land Forces Command, led by Lieutenant General Tuncay Altuğ, who was visiting Azerbaijan. 

During the meetings, Colonel General Valiyev expressed satisfaction with the military cooperation between Azerbaijan and Türkiye, which he described as rooted in friendly and fraternal relations. He highlighted the contributions of this alliance to the development of both countries' armies and stressed the importance of strengthening this collaboration further. Lieutenant General Altuğ expressed gratitude for the warm hospitality and emphasized the goal of enhancing mutual exchange of experiences, especially through joint exercises, demonstrating Azerbaijan's significance as a key partner for Türkiye.

The discussions also covered prospects for regional security and military cooperation. Later, the Turkish delegation met with Colonel General Bakhtiyar Ersay, Adviser to the Minister of Defense of Azerbaijan, to discuss implementing the Turkish Armed Forces model in the Azerbaijan Army.

On December 18, the Turkish delegation, led by Lieutenant General Tuncay Altuğ, held several working meetings with senior Azerbaijani military officials. In a meeting with Colonel General Hikmet Mirzayev, Deputy Minister of Defense and Commander of the Land Forces, the Turkish delegation was briefed on the service and combat activities of Azerbaijan's Land Forces, including reforms and adaptations to the Turkish model. Later, the delegation visited the Azerbaijan Air Force’s Central Command Post, where Lieutenant General Namig Islamzade, Commander of the Air Force, highlighted the importance of military cooperation in advancing air force capabilities.

The delegation also visited the Azerbaijan Navy headquarters, where they were briefed on the base’s activities and discussed successes in joint international exercises.

On December 19, the 16th Azerbaijani-Turkish High-Level Military Dialogue Meeting took place in Ankara, Türkiye. The Azerbaijani delegation, led by Director General Agil Gurbanov, visited Heydar Aliyev Park in Ankara and laid flowers at the monument to Azerbaijan's National Leader, as well as at the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. During meetings with Turkish officials, including the Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler and Chief of the General Staff Army General Metin Gürak, discussions focused on strengthening military, military-technical, and educational cooperation.

On December 20, Azerbaijani Defense Minister Colonel General Zakir Hasanov met with the Turkish delegation. The meeting underscored the strategic military alliance between the two nations, enhanced by the personal friendship of their leaders. Both sides emphasized the importance of experience exchange, joint exercises, and bilateral visits for expanding military cooperation. The discussions also covered regional security and the current state of military relations.

Italy Sends CIMIC Experts to Azerbaijan for Defense Cooperation

On December 19, as part of a plan signed between the Defense Ministries of Azerbaijan and Italy, military experts in civil-military cooperation (CIMIC) from Italy visited Azerbaijan. The Media and Public Affairs Department of the Azerbaijan Ministry of Defense organized a meeting with the Italian delegation.

During the meeting, the guests were briefed on the Ministry of Defense's communication strategy, which had been approved by the Defense Minister, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov. The delegation also received comprehensive information about the 44-day Patriotic War, which resulted in the victory of the Azerbaijan Army, as well as Azerbaijan's efforts in subsequent operations and its battle against disinformation.

The Italian military experts delivered presentations on CIMIC, and discussions were held on adopting advanced practices in this area. Questions of mutual interest were also addressed during the meeting.

Azerbaijan Army Officer Honored for Leadership Achievements at Royal Military Academy Sandhurst

On December 19, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry reported that military personnel of the Azerbaijan Army, studying at some of the world's most prestigious military academies, continue to achieve remarkable accomplishments. To integrate international military expertise and further enhance the knowledge and skills of professional personnel, Azerbaijan Army servicemen participate in various courses offered by advanced educational institutions in developed countries.

First Lieutenant Sanan Asadov, a serviceman of the Azerbaijan Army, completed the "Leadership and Management Skills Development Course for Junior Officers" at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in England. The officer was recognized and awarded for his outstanding achievements in education.

Azerbaijani Soldier Injured by Mine in Nakhchivan

On December 20, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry reported that Azerbaijan Army serviceman Salmanov Ziya Ilgar was injured after stepping on an anti-personnel mine while carrying out service and combat tasks in the direction of the Sadarak region of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic along the Azerbaijani-Armenian conditional border.

The wounded serviceman received immediate first aid and was subsequently evacuated to a military medical facility. Fortunately, his life is not in danger. The investigation into the incident is ongoing.

Georgia

The Georgian side published no important information during this period. During the last few weeks, the Press Service of the Georgian Foreign Ministry has reposted only remarks of Georgia’s Prime Minister Kobakhidze and celebration letters of official holidays.