Armenia

Operation against illegal weapons

On December 26, the military police of the Armenian Defense Ministry carried out explanatory works and operative measures in the population in 2023 that resulted in the surrender of 63 illegally held self-powered units, 22 grenades, four pistols, one bagot station, armor jackets, and a large number of bullets and ammunition of various diameter, the Press Office of the Armenian Defense Ministry reported.

Armenian Defense Military Police continues to carry out consistent work to prevent and detect illegal movement of weapons and ammunition. Military Police once again urged citizens to present their illegally kept weapons and ammunition to the Defense Military Police to avoid criminal responsibility.

Azerbaijan

Local exercise

On December 27, Air Defense Units conducted combat firing, the Press Office of the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry reported.

The combat crews have fulfilled the standards for bringing the S-125 anti-aircraft missile system to the starting position and its preparation for combat use. To improve the managerial skills of servicemen and further increase their combat capability, the tasks of detecting and destroying imaginary enemy targets were accomplished at the combined arms training range.

Georgia

Meeting with the Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey

On December 28, Lela Chikovani, the First Deputy Minister of Defense of Georgia, hosted Ali Kaan Orbai, the Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey,  and Colonel Ilhan Oktendural, the new Defense Attache, the Press Office of the Georgian Defense Ministry reported. 

The Deputy Minister of Defense emphasized Georgia's important strategic partnership with the Republic of Turkey, Turkey's firm, consistent support on the path of the country's sovereignty and Euro-Atlantic integration, and talked about the significant contribution of the neighboring country in the process of developing the Georgian Defense Forces.

The meeting discussed a range of defense issues between the two countries, including military education, joint exercises, military-industry cooperation, and prospects for expanding cooperation in 2024

At the meeting with Turkish diplomats in the Ministry of Defense, the security environment in the region and current challenges were discussed.

Exercise with Azerbaijan and Turkey

On the same day, in the format of Georgia-Turkey-Azerbaijan trilateral cooperation, search-rescue training during natural disasters in Ankara DAK-23 was held. The National Guard of Georgian Defense Forces Soldiers participated in a week-long tactical-level training with Turkish and Azerbaijani colleagues.

The tripartite training aimed at increasing cooperation, coordination, and interpersonal ability between Georgian-Turkey-Azerbaijani search-rescue groups during possible natural disasters.

According to a simulation scenario, search and rescue operations were played during the earthquake. The military had to use rescue equipment to rescue the injured from the wreckage, evacuate the injured by land and air, and help dogs to search and rescue the people trapped in the wreckage.

Teaching is done in rotation. Next year, DAK will be hosted by Azerbaijan and then by Georgia.