Armenia

Armenian Defense Ministry Hosts Polish Diplomats to Discuss Future Defense Cooperation

On July 30, the Armenian Defense Ministry reported that Arman Sargsyan, the Deputy Minister of Defence of the Republic of Armenia, received Marcin Różycki, the Polish Charge d'Affaires to the Republic of Armenia, the outgoing Polish Defence Attaché, Colonel Wojciech Wiśniewski, and the incoming Polish Defence Attaché, Colonel Jarosław Oleśkiewicz. 

Arman Sargsyan congratulated Colonel Jarosław Oleśkiewicz on assuming his new position and wished him success in his duties. He also expressed gratitude to Colonel Wiśniewski for their collaborative efforts and cooperation.

During the meeting, various topics related to the prospects for cooperation in the field of defense between Armenia and Poland were discussed.

Armenian Defense Chief Edward Asryan Attends the London Land Warfare Conference

On August 1, the delegation led by Lieutenant General Edward Asryan, the First Deputy Minister of Defence of the Republic of Armenia and Chief of the Armed Forces General Staff, participated in the annual Land Warfare Conference in London. Organized under the auspices of the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) of the United Kingdom, the conference aimed to study threats in the land domain of warfare, explore possible solutions, and examine partnership opportunities and the latest politico-military and industrial developments.

At the conference, Lieutenant General Edward Asryan met with the Chief of the General Staff of the British Army, General Sir C. Roland V. Walker. They discussed the scope of cooperation between the two states in the defense field and the possibilities for its further development and expansion.

Azerbaijan

Local exercises

On July 29, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry reported that commando training exercises were being held with cadets from the Military Institute named after Heydar Aliyev. During these classes, the cadets studied the rules of conducting engineering reconnaissance and engaged in practical work to enhance their personal training and combat capabilities. The cadets actively accomplished the assigned tasks.

On August 2, a tactical special exercise was conducted with artillery units. According to the exercise plan, activities were specified on the map, and officers presented reports on decisions made based on the tactical conditions. Units, withdrawn from their permanent deployment points to assembly areas on alert, overcame various obstacles along the route using night vision devices. They practiced capturing firing positions and bringing combat equipment and artillery installations into combat mode. The exercise aimed to increase the knowledge and skills of servicemen and to improve the command staff's ability to manage artillery units, and high professionalism was demonstrated throughout.

Azerbaijan Defense Ministry Reviews First Half of 2024 in Extended Board Meeting

On August 3, the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan held an extended board meeting to review the results of the year's first half. The meeting, led by the Minister of Defense, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, was held via video teleconference and attended by Deputy Defense Ministers, Commanders of various troop types, Chiefs of Main Departments, Services, and independent branches, Commanders of army corps and formations, and Chiefs of special educational institutions.

The current operational conditions and urgent measures taken by Azerbaijan Army Units “against Armenian provocations on the conditional border” were analyzed. The tasks set by President Ilham Aliyev were conveyed to the participants.

First Deputy Minister of Defense and Chief of the General Staff of the Azerbaijan Army, Colonel General Karim Valiyev, delivered a detailed report on the measures taken in the first half of 2024 to enhance the operational capabilities of troops and command and management abilities of headquarters, as well as in engineering, intelligence, and other spheres. He highlighted the positive results of reforms in army development and the increased professional level of servicemen due to international and joint exercises.

Deputy Minister of Defense and Director General, Mr. Agil Gurbanov, reported on the work done in supply, provision of new weapons and equipment, psychological training of personnel, and military education. He noted that measures taken to increase the attractiveness of military education resulted in over 5,500 applications to special educational institutions under the National Defense University, allowing for the selection of highly qualified candidates.

Deputy Minister of Defense and Commander of the Land Forces, Lieutenant General Hikmat Mirzayev, reported on measures to increase units’ combat capability and organize troops’ service, emphasizing the increased intensity of exercises and classes involving modern weapons and equipment. Deputy Minister of Defense and Acting Commander of the Air Force, Lieutenant General Namig Islamzada, highlighted the focus on improving service-combat activities in Air Force units according to the annual training plan.

Commander of the Combined Arms Army, Major General Kanan Seyidov, and other troop commanders also provided detailed reports on the measures taken in the year's first half. 

In his concluding remarks, Minister of Defense Colonel General Zakir Hasanov stressed the importance of the correct and effective use of modern weapons and equipment, studying the psychological features of new soldiers, and focusing on their health and adaptation process. He gave instructions for the next training year, engineering measures in liberated territories, and improving personnel's social and living conditions and medical care. Colonel General Hasanov reiterated the Supreme Commander-in-Chief's views, emphasizing that the Azerbaijan Army must maintain high combat readiness and professionalism to be prepared for any provocations.

Georgia

Local exercises

On July 29, the Georgian Defense Ministry reported that reservists from the first company of the 103rd Territorial Defense Battalion of the 10th Territorial Defense Brigade of the National Guard underwent an 8-day field training with combat shooting at the Orfolo training ground. This training was conducted as part of the tactical group of the 22nd battalion "Alpha" company of the 2nd Infantry Brigade of the Western Command. The reservists joined the battle, supported combat areas, and monitored the operation area, including armored vehicles and anti-tank weapons. The training management positively evaluated the coordinated actions of reservists and military personnel in the support and security operations outlined in the simulation scenario.

On August 3, personal protection and sniper training courses were jointly completed at the training center named after Major Gela Chedia of the Special Operations Command of the Defense Forces of Georgia. Personnel from the National Guard also participated in the training. Colonel Teimuraz Klateishvili, the Commander of Special Operations, congratulated the servicemen on completing the demanding and important courses and wished them success. He also thanked the instructors for conducting the courses safely and at a high level. Participants were awarded certificates and specially made badges. At the Mukhrovani base, soldiers of the Special Operations Command held a demonstration exercise with the personnel of the National Guard. According to the simulated scenario, they completed tasks to protect an important object during the training.