Armenia

Armenia and US Launch 'EAGLE PARTNER 2024' Joint Military Exercise

On July 15, the Armenian Defense Ministry reported the commencement of the joint Armenia-US military exercise, "EAGLE PARTNER 2024," at the Military Academy named after Vazgen Sargsyan of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Armenia. The opening ceremony was attended by Suren Papikyan, the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Armenia, and Kristina A. Kvien, the US Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Armenia, along with other dignitaries.

Both Papikyan and Ambassador Kvien delivered welcoming speeches to the military personnel participating in the exercises. 

In his speech, Minister Papikyan highlighted, "I highly appreciate the work of the US Army Europe and Africa, and the Kansas National Guard, which has been a partner of Armenia for more than two decades. I also commend the military personnel of the Peacekeeping Brigade of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia, representatives of the US Embassy, and employees of the RA Ministry of Defense who participated in the effective planning of these exercises. I highly value this cooperation, which is aimed at enhancing the level of interoperability between units participating in international peacekeeping missions within the framework of peacekeeping operations."

Notably, the Armenia-US joint exercise "EAGLE PARTNER 2024" is being held from July 15 to July 24 in Armenia. The exercise includes servicemembers from the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia peacekeeping brigade, the US Army Europe and Africa, and the Kansas National Guard. The exercise focuses on stabilization tasks between conflicting parties during a peacekeeping mission. The purpose is to enhance the interoperability of units participating in international peacekeeping missions, exchange best practices in control and tactical communication, and improve the readiness of the Armenian unit. Units preparing for international peacekeeping operations regularly engage in similar joint military exercises and training with partner countries.

Armenian Defense Minister Suren Papikyan Meets with EU Ambassador Vassilis Maragos

On July 18, Suren Papikyan, the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Armenia, received Vassilis Maragos, the Head of the European Union Delegation to the Republic of Armenia and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary. During the meeting, they discussed topics related to defense cooperation within the context of the Armenia-EU partnership, as well as regional security issues. At the ambassador’s request, Minister Papikyan provided an overview of the ongoing reforms within the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia.

Armenia Denies Azerbaijani Claims of Border Incident on July 20

On July 21, the Armenian side reported the statement from the Ministry of Defence of Azerbaijan, alleging that on July 20 at 10:10 p.m. [local time], units of the Armenian Armed Forces opened fire toward Azerbaijani combat positions in the eastern part of the border, does not correspond to reality.

Azerbaijan

Local and international exercises

On July 15, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry reported that aircraft of the Azerbaijan Air Force performed live-fire training flights as part of the "Birlestik-2024" international operational-tactical command-staff exercise held in Aktau, Kazakhstan. Safety rules were communicated to the personnel, and the health status of the military pilots was checked. According to the exercise plan, Su-25ML aircraft conducted day and night flights along designated routes, executing difficult pilotage and combat maneuvers at various altitudes. The military pilots completed tasks involving air reconnaissance, determining coordinates of ground targets of an imaginary enemy, and destroying those targets. The pilots demonstrated high professionalism in the "Birlestik-2024" exercise.

On July 17, the military leadership of the participating countries arrived at the Oymasha training ground. They reviewed the conditions created for the exercise participants, including the areas where the foreign military contingent was stationed and the canteen. The Azerbaijani Army's military personnel demonstrated trench warfare techniques. Delegations from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan arrived at the command post, where they were briefed on the preparation process, listened to reports on the exercise activities via map and video conference, and observed a tactical episode involving the destruction of illegal armed groups in limited visibility conditions.

On the same day, the “Birlestik-2024” exercise concluded. The military leadership of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan arrived at Cape Tokmak in the Caspian Sea to watch the final tactical episode. Participants conducted activities to destroy illegal armed groups in the coastal area of the Caspian Sea. According to the scenario, the Azerbaijan Air Force's parachute descent and search-rescue service evacuated personnel from a crashed combat helicopter. A ceremonial passage of combat equipment and aviation vehicles followed the tactical episode. Azerbaijan was represented by servicemen from commando units of the Land Forces, the parachute descent and search-rescue service, Su-25 aircraft of the Air Force, and patrol and descent ships of the Navy.

On July 18, a specialty session was held with sniper units and sniper-qualified military personnel of commando military units. The servicemen conducted practical shooting exercises with sniper rifles in various scenarios to enhance their practical capabilities and shooting skills. They completed tasks involving taking firing positions, readying their weapons, and detecting and destroying targets of an imaginary enemy with professionalism.

Azerbaijani Defense Minister Zakir Hasanov Visits Kazakhstan for ‘Birlestik-2024’ Exercise

On July 16, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan, visited Kazakhstan at the invitation of Colonel General Ruslan Zhaksylykov, the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Kazakhstan, to attend the “Birlestik-2024” international operational-tactical command-staff exercise. 

Later that day, Colonel General Hasanov and the Azerbaijani delegation continued their visit. The delegation toured one of Kazakhstan's warships alongside Colonel General Zhaksylykov and the leadership of the Defense Ministries from the participating countries. During the visit, they were briefed on the main operations of the missile artillery ship and its crew and observed demonstrations by the military seamen.

The delegation then visited the Kazakh Navy's Diving Center, where they explored the facilities, small and large weapons, and technical equipment. The visit concluded with a tour of a military unit, during which the guests were provided with detailed information about the facilities and training simulators available on site.

Azerbaijan Accuses Armenian Forces of Firing on Kalbajar Region Positions

On July 20, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry reported that at approximately 22:10 [local time], units of the Armenian Armed Forces from positions near the Istisu settlement in the Basarkechar region used large-caliber weapons to fire upon Azerbaijan Army positions near the Istisu settlement in the Kalbajar region. In response, Azerbaijani Army units took appropriate retaliatory measures in the affected area.

Georgia

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