Armenia

Non-combat loss

On February 6, at 13:20 [local time], Arthur Grigoryan died as a result of a fire in the house attached to the combat position residence of the Defense Unit of the Defense Unit, the Press Office of the Armenian Defense Ministry reported. There are no other casualties. 

Armenia and Lithuania Hold Bilateral Defense Consultations

On February 6, bilateral defense consultations were held between the Ministries of Defense of the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Lithuania at the administrative complex of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Armenia.

The head of the Department of Defense Policy and International Cooperation of the RA MoD, Levon Ayvazyan, presented security issues and ongoing defense reforms to the Head of the Operations Board of the Joint Staff of the Lithuanian Armed Forces, Algirdas Norkus.

Discussions encompassed the current status and prospects of cooperation between Armenia and Lithuania in the defense sector, resulting in the agreement on several key points.

The consultations culminated in signing a Cooperation Program for 2024 between the Ministries of Defence of the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Lithuania.

Azerbaijan

Local exercises

On February 5, special Forces’ units and subunits held a tactical-special exercise on "Conducting combat operations in the severe cold," the Press Office of the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry reported. In the tactical-special exercise, the special forces specified the tasks on the model of the area and accomplished the tactical redeployment activities in the high mountainous area and severe cold. Tasks on breaching imaginary enemy defense, capturing the base point, providing first aid, and safely evacuating the wounded from the battlefield were fulfilled. The assigned tasks were carried out with high professionalism during the exercise held to increase the knowledge and skills of the command staff on unit management in snowy and frosty weather conditions, to conduct combat operations and rescue measures, to improve the skills of personnel in skiing, as well as firing skills in motion and motionless states.

On February 9, commando units conducted tactical-special exercises in accordance with the training plan for 2024. The commandos accomplished various tasks during the exercises, which consisted of 5 stages. The first stage carried out activities to advance towards the target and collect intelligence information using displacement methods. Then, the attacking semigroups fulfilled the tasks of approaching the object, conducting an offensive operation, and gathering at the target. The commandos demonstrated high professionalism during the tactical-special exercises held in areas with severe climatic conditions and difficult terrain.

Azerbaijan's President Inspects Air Force Military Facilities and UAV Academy

On February 9, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ilham Aliyev, and his son Heydar Aliyev visited the Air Force military facilities and watched the flyover of the Akinci unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UAV), which had been recently introduced into service.

President Ilham Aliyev visited the UAV Academy to inspect the facilities. The Defense Minister and Chief Technology Officer of Türkiye's Baykar company, Selcuk Bayraktar, briefed the head of state on the Academy's capabilities and UAVs. They highlighted the comprehensive training environment provided for military personnel. The Academy is fitted with state-of-the-art tools and equipment.

Afterward, the Commander-in-Chief proceeded to the runway for different types of UAVs at the military facility. After watching the take-off of the Akinci combat UAV, President Ilham Aliyev practically flew the UAV at the control station.

Then, President Ilham Aliyev toured the hangar complexes. The hangars are designed to accommodate various types of UAVs, including the newly accepted Akinci combat UAV and other aviation-technical equipment.

Georgia

Georgian Defense Agencies Host Delegation from French Ministry of Armed Forces

On February 8, representatives of the defense agencies hosted a delegation of the French Ministry of Armed Forces of Europe, North America, and the Service of Multilateral Cooperation, the Press Office of the Georgian Defense Ministry reported. Deputy Commander of the Defense Forces, Brigadier General Irakli Chichinadze thanked the head of the delegation, Alexander Escorsia, and generally, for the visit to the French side, for their solid support and dynamic cooperation in the defense field.

The meeting celebrated France's successful relationship and values-based cooperation, successfully carried out at both strategic and tactical-operational levels. The guests were introduced to the transformation process of Georgian defense forces, implemented and ongoing reforms, and the contribution of France in strengthening Georgia's defense capability and bringing it closer to Euro-Atlantic structures.

At the meeting held at the Ministry of Defense, the ongoing issues of bilateral cooperation and priorities of the agency's future activities were discussed. The sides expressed hope that cooperation in different directions will be even deeper.

Head of US State National Guard of Georgia Visits Georgia for Bilateral Talks

On February 9, the head of the US State National Guard of Georgia was present on a visit to Georgia. Major-General Giorgi Matiashvili hosted Major-General Thomas Carden at the General Headquarters. At the bilateral meeting, Georgian and American generals focused on the importance of close defense cooperation between Georgia and the USA and discussed prospects for future cooperation.

At the end of the meeting, the head of the Defense Forces awarded Major General Thomas Carden with the Medal of Honor for his significant contribution to developing cooperation between the two countries.

During his visit to Georgia, the head of the US State National Guard of Georgia visited the Georgian Special Operations Base in Mukhrovani. He also visited the Georgian National Guard 20th Territorial Defense Brigade Training Center "Paldo," where he attended the training of the territorial reserve.

Chairman of EU Military Committee Visits Georgia for Bilateral Talks

On the same day, the Chairman of the Military Committee of the European Union was on a visit to Georgia. The Commander of the Defense Forces of Georgia, Major General Giorgi Matiashvili, hosted General Robert Briger at the Ministry of Defense.

At the meeting held at the General Staff, the parties discussed issues of partnership with the European Union in the military field and plans. The Commander of the Defense Forces thanked the Chairman of the European Union Military Committee for his support to the Georgian Defense Forces in the process of deepening cooperation with the European Union and once again confirmed his commitment to the reforms and values on which the relations between Georgia and the European Union are based in the military sphere.

At the meeting, they focused on the growing dynamics of Georgia's cooperation with the European Union within the framework of the Common Defense and Security Policy (CSDP) and reviewed the mechanisms aimed at increasing the country's defense capability and defense capabilities.

Within the framework of his visit to Georgia, General Robert Briger also visited the NATO-Georgia Joint Training and Evaluation Center (JTEC), where he discussed cooperation plans with the center's leaders. The guest paid tribute to the memory of the fallen military personnel at Heroes' Square. During the two-day visit, the delegation of the EU military committee is scheduled to meet with the chairman of the defense and security committee of the parliament, as well as visit the occupation line.