Armenia

Armenia and France Hold Strategic Defense Consultations at Armenian Defense Ministry

On December 10, the Armenian Defense Ministry reported that Armenia-France strategic defense consultations were held at the Ministry of Defense, with Levon Ayvazyan, the Head of the Defense Policy and International Cooperation Department of Armenia’s Ministry of Defense, and Alexander Escorsia, the head of the North America and Multilateral Cooperation Department of the Ministry of the Armed Forces of France, leading the discussions.

During the consultations, the work achieved under their cooperation in 2024 was reviewed, and plans for the upcoming year were outlined. Both sides reaffirmed the strategic importance of their active collaboration and set higher goals for its future development, with a particular emphasis on defense planning, military education, exercises, consultative support, and military-technical cooperation.

The delegation, led by Alexander Escorsia, was received by Lieutenant General Edward Asryan, the First Deputy Minister of Defense and Chief of the Armed Forces of Armenia. They discussed the priorities of Armenia's transformation process and its cooperation with France. Lieutenant General Asryan expressed satisfaction with the current state of collaboration and hoped for its continued development. The consultations also covered regional and international security issues.

As a result, the Armenia-France Defense Cooperation Program for 2025 was established, incorporating numerous events across various defense sectors. On December 15, a delegation headed by Suren Papikyan, the Minister of Defense of Armenia, departed for a working visit to France.

145 NATO Defense College Students Visit Armenia for Military Education Discussions

On December 10-11, 145 students from the NATO Defense College senior course visited Armenia. During the visit, Lieutenant General Edward Asryan, the First Deputy Minister of Defense and Head of the Armed Forces of Armenia, received the Head of the NATO Defense College.

The discussions focused on the possibilities and future prospects of cooperation in military education. At the administrative complex of the Ministry of Defense, officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Armenia delivered presentations on the country's defense and security sectors to the students.

On December 11, Max Arthur Nielsen, the Head of the NATO Defense College, was hosted at the RA Defense National Research University, where the activities of the academy and its ongoing programs were presented. The meeting also outlined potential avenues for further collaboration between the two military institutions.

Armenia and Italy Hold Defense Consultations, Review 2024 Achievements

On December 12, Armenia-Italy Defense Consultations were held at the administrative complex of the Armenian Defense Policy and International Cooperation, led by Levon Ayvazyan, the Head of the Department of Defense and International Cooperation, and Colonel Mattia Zuzzi, the Head of the Italian Armed Forces International Cooperation.

During the consultations, the achievements of their cooperation in 2024 were reviewed, and plans for the upcoming year were discussed. Both sides expressed satisfaction with the growing collaboration, which has expanded to include new sectors in recent years. Levon Ayvazyan also presented the progress made in the transformation of Armenia’s military.

The parties exchanged views on various regional and international issues. As a result of the consultations, the Armenia-Italy Defense Cooperation Program for 2025 was established, which includes a series of events focusing on experience exchange, preparation in different areas, military education, and other sectors.

Azerbaijan

Local Exercise

On December 10, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry reported that a tactical-special exercise was conducted with commando units. According to the exercise's scenario, the commando units carried out a sudden attack on the positions of an imaginary enemy and subsequently took control of the positions. The captured positions were then assessed both tactically and visually, after which a sudden attack supported by mortar fire was executed. Throughout the exercise, the commandos completed their fire tasks and demonstrated high levels of professionalism.

Azerbaijan Hosts Georgian Delegation for Military Education Talks

On December 11, the Deputy Rector of the National Defense University for Science and Rector of the Military Scientific Research Institute, Major General Arif Hasanov, met with a delegation led by the Deputy Rector of the National Defense Academy of Georgia, Colonel Zurab Zerekidze, who was visiting Azerbaijan. The Georgian guests were briefed on the National Defense University's history, education system, and main areas of activity and were informed about the reforms carried out in the Azerbaijan Army's military education sector. The meeting also featured discussions on mutual interests regarding military education.

On December 13, representatives from the National Defense Academy and the "Strategic Course of Defense and Security" of the Defense Institution Building School of Georgia visited special military educational institutions in Azerbaijan. During the visit, the delegation met with senior staff from the Military Administration Institute and the Military Lyceum named after Jamshid Nakhchivanski of the National Defense University. Detailed information about the activities of the National Defense University and the reforms in military education was provided, and discussions took place on regional security issues in the South Caucasus.

Azerbaijan and Turkey Discuss Military Cooperation During Defense Talks

On December 12, Azerbaijani Defense Minister Colonel General Zakir Hasanov met with a delegation led by Turkish Air Force Commander Army General Ziya Cemal Kadıoğlu, who was visiting Azerbaijan. 

During the meeting, Colonel General Hasanov expressed satisfaction with the visit and briefed the Turkish delegation on the current operational situation on the Azerbaijani-Armenian conditional border, noting that Armenia’s rearmament negatively affects regional peace and stability. He emphasized the importance of the Azerbaijani-Turkish strategic alliance, which is based on friendly and fraternal relations, and discussed the need for further development of military cooperation between the two countries. General Kadıoğlu expressed gratitude for the warm hospitality and highlighted the high level of military relations, focusing on expanding mutual experience exchanges. They also discussed the analysis of global conflicts, modern warfare methods, and regional security.

On December 13, First Deputy Minister of Defense Colonel General Karim Valiyev and Adviser to the Minister Colonel General Bakhtiyar Ersay met with the Turkish delegation to discuss the prospects for military cooperation, including joint exercises to improve interoperability between the two countries' forces. The delegation also visited the Azerbaijan Air Force headquarters, informing them about the reforms carried out in the Azerbaijan Army and the development of military relations, particularly in military education.

Meanwhile, Major General Kanan Seyidov, Commander of the Combined Arms Army, visited Turkey from December 13-14 at the invitation of Turkish Land Forces Commander Army General Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu. He visited several military facilities, including the Turkish Land Forces’ Aviation Command, Special Forces Command, and the Mountain Commando School in Isparta. He observed training processes, reviewed equipment, and met with Azerbaijani soldiers studying at the school. During meetings with General Bayraktaroğlu, they discussed expanding cooperation in military, technical, and educational areas, as well as conducting joint exercises.

Azerbaijan and NATO Discuss Strengthening Military Cooperation During Key Meeting

On December 13, Colonel General Karim Valiyev, the First Deputy Minister of Defense and Chief of the General Staff of the Azerbaijan Army, met with a delegation led by Lieutenant General Max A.L.T. Nielsen, Commandant of the NATO Defense College (NDC), who was visiting Azerbaijan. Colonel General Valiyev highlighted the successful reforms in the Azerbaijan Army, its victory in the Patriotic War, and the application of combat experience in subsequent military operations. He emphasized the significance of Azerbaijan's cooperation with NATO through various programs and stressed the importance of further strengthening this relationship. Lieutenant General Nielsen expressed gratitude for the hospitality and praised Azerbaijan's contribution to NATO peacekeeping missions. The discussion also covered the development of cooperation in military education and other mutual interests.

Later, the NDC delegation, accompanied by officials from Azerbaijan, visited ADA University and Baku International Sea Trade Port CJSC as part of Field Studies. At ADA University, Vice Rector Fariz Ismayilzade and Assistant to the President Hikmet Hajiyev welcomed the guests. Hajiyev addressed topics such as Azerbaijan's foreign policy, regional security, and new challenges. Other presentations included those by Esmira Jafarova on Azerbaijan's energy policy and Colonel Ramil Shukurov on Azerbaijan-NATO cooperation and defense strategy. The event also featured discussions and responses to questions from NDC Senior Course attendees.

The delegation then visited Baku Port, where they were briefed on its history, strategic importance, and future development plans. The port's achievements in cargo transportation, logistics, environmental protection, and digital transformation were highlighted.

Additionally, Major General Gunduz Abdulov, Rector of the National Defense University, met with the NATO Defense College delegation. The delegation was briefed on the university's history, education system, and military educational reforms in Azerbaijan. The meeting discussed expanding military education cooperation and implementing joint projects.

Uzbekistan Defense Ministry Delegation Visits Azerbaijan to Exchange Military Expertise

On December 14, a delegation from the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Uzbekistan visited the Main Operational Department of the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense to exchange professional experience. The delegation was briefed on military decision-making processes, with particular focus on the 44-day Patriotic War and the counter-terror operation. Discussions also covered topics of mutual interest. The Uzbek delegation later visited the Central Command Post, where they were familiarized with the operational conditions and the use of modern software to execute tasks according to contemporary standards.

Azerbaijan Proposes Lowering Conscription Age Limit from 35 to 30 Years

On December 13, the government-controlled Report News Agency reported that the upper age limit for conscription in Azerbaijan is being reduced from 35 to 30 years. The change is proposed in amendments to the law "On Military Duty and Military Service." Under the proposed changes, conscripts will be male citizens of Azerbaijan aged 18 to 30, as opposed to the current age limit of 18 to 35.

Georgia

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