Armenia

Armenia and Kazakhstan Strengthen Defense Ties

On January 23, at the invitation of the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Kazakhstan, a delegation led by Suren Papikyan, the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Armenia, undertook an official visit to the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Press Office of the Armenian Defense Ministry reported.

Suren Papikyan and Kazakhstan's Minister of Defence, Colonel General Ruslan Zhaksylykov, commenced on the same day. Throughout the meeting, discussions encompassed matters concerning Armenian-Kazakh defense cooperation, security, and various issues of mutual interest. Substantial potential for cooperation on both sides was acknowledged, culminating in an agreement to enhance cooperation further. At the conclusion of the meeting, the defense ministers formalized their discussions by signing the 2024 defense cooperation plan between the ministries of defense of the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Kazakhstan. This plan includes a series of activities to be conducted in both Armenia and Kazakhstan.

On January 24, in the framework of his official visit to the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Armenia, Suren Papikyan, visited the Shoqan Ualikhanov Military College of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Kazakhstan. He received a detailed briefing on the college's educational programs, leading to discussions about enhancing cooperation between the military college and the Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) training center of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Armenia. 

Local exercise

On January 26, a hybrid demonstration tactical training was held in one of the military exercises of the Defense Forces, the aim was to introduce the servicemen to the nature of disproportionate operations carried out during modern wars and to improve the strategic and tactical skills of the military personnel.

The latest technical means of domestic military industry and their application were presented within the framework of the demonstration exercise involving various military types, including special purpose units.

At the end of the exercise, on the order of Defense Minister Suren Papikyan, several officers were awarded superintendent medals by the First Deputy Minister of Defense, Chief of the Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Edward Asryan.

Armenian Defense Minister Highlights Progress in Military Modernization Efforts

On January 28, Armenian Defense Minister Suren Papikyan said at an event dedicated to the 32nd anniversary of the formation of the republic's army on January 28 that the efforts to replenish armaments at the level corresponding to the leading armies of the 21st century have yielded tangible results over the past year.

"We have managed to expand military-technical cooperation, find new partners, and make tangible steps towards diversification of armaments. This will help form a more stable and reliable security environment around Armenia," the Minister said.

The head of the military department also pointed to the programs aimed at developing the military industry and efforts to meet the needs of the Armenian army with domestic products.

"Simply put, we should not import what we can produce ourselves in our country at a lower price and with good quality. This is a goal for which, I assure you, clear, practical steps are being taken," Papikyan noted.

Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan and Turkey Strengthen Military Education Cooperation

On January 22, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan,  met with a delegation led by Professor Erhan Afyoncu, the rector of the National Defense University of the Republic of Türkiye, who was on a visit to Azerbaijan, the Press Office of the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry reported. The Minister stressed that the mutual exchange of experience in the field of military education has a positive effect on improving the knowledge and skills of servicemen. Expressing gratitude for the warm reception and hospitality, Professor E. Afyoncu noted the importance of further continuing the reforms carried out in the sphere of military education and mutual visits in this field. During the meeting, the importance of studying both countries' military history, including heroic chronicles, was emphasized, and a detailed exchange of views on several issues of interest between Azerbaijan and Türkiye was held. 

On January 23, the delegation led by Erhan Afyoncu visited the National Defense University of the Azerbaijan Defense Ministry and its subordinate military educational institutions. The meeting between the leadership of the National Defense Universities of Azerbaijan and Türkiye discussed the attention of the head of state to the development of the military educational system, the reforms carried out in the Azerbaijan Army, as well as the work done in adapting the Azerbaijan Army to the Turkish model. The meeting emphasized the importance of the special military colleges established in Baku, Ganja, and the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic by the relevant Decree and Order of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, as well as the fact that the measures implemented to improve the social and living conditions of the cadets of the educational institutions will allow a significant increase in the interest of the youth in military service. During the meeting, the further expansion of cooperation in the field of military education, the work to be done in this field, and a detailed exchange of views on several issues of common interest between the two fraternal countries were discussed.

Georgia

The Georgian side published no important information during this period.