Armenia

Armenian Defense Minister Papikyan Meets Iranian Ambassador Sobhani

On July 9, the Armenian Defense Ministry reported that the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Armenia, Suren Papikyan, received the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Armenia, Mehdi Sobhani.

Minister Papikyan congratulated the new Defence Attaché and wished him success in his mission. Additionally, he expressed gratitude to the former Defence Attaché, Colonel Bahman Sadeghin, for his productive cooperation.

The discussion covered topics related to Armenia-Iran defense cooperation and regional security.

Armenian Defense Minister Papikyan Holds Talks with Austrian Secretary General Kammel

On July 10, Suren Papikyan received Dr. Arnold Kammel, the Secretary General of the Austrian Federal Ministry of Defence and Defence Policy Director of the Ministry of Defence of Austria. The meeting was also attended by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Austria to Armenia, Thomas Mühlmann.

The discussions focused on the perspectives of defense cooperation between Armenia and Austria. Suren Papikyan presented the progress of defense reforms in Armenia and highlighted the scope of international cooperation in this context. They also discussed issues related to regional security.

During his working visit to Armenia, Dr. Arnold Kammel met with Levon Ayvazyan, the Head of the Department of Defence Policy and International Cooperation of the Ministry of Defence of Armenia. They discussed the progress and priorities of reforms in both countries and explored possibilities for exchanging experiences. Additionally, they addressed prospective directions for cooperation in the defense field and issues related to multilateral cooperation formats.

As part of his visit, Dr. Arnold Kammel visited the NDRU of the Armenian Ministry of Defence and met with the university’s professors and lecturers. He also paid tribute to the Martyrs of the Armenian Genocide at the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex.

Armenia and Georgia Strengthen Defense Ties with 2024 Cooperation Plan

On July 12, a delegation led by the Minister of Defence of Georgia, Irakli Chikovani, arrived in the Republic of Armenia for an official visit. Upon arrival, Minister Suren Papikyan of the Ministry of Defence of Armenia hosted Minister Chikovani at the Ministry's headquarters in Yerevan.

The visit commenced with a welcoming ceremony that included a guard of honor and a military band. During the ceremony, the national anthems of Armenia and Georgia were played. After the ceremony, Minister Papikyan and Minister Chikovani held a private discussion and a broader meeting involving their respective delegations.

The discussions highlighted the current level of cooperation between Armenia and Georgia, focusing on defense collaboration and regional security issues. Both sides presented updates on ongoing reforms within their armed forces.

Concluding the visit, the Defence Ministers signed the 2024 cooperation plan between the Ministry of Defence of Armenia and the Ministry of Defence of Georgia. As part of his visit, Minister Chikovani paid respects to the victims of the Armenian Genocide by visiting the Armenian Genocide Memorial in Yerevan. He laid a wreath at the Memorial and placed flowers at the eternal flame dedicated to the Martyrs of the Armenian Genocide.

Azerbaijan

Local and international exercises

On July 9, preparations began for the "Birlestik-2024" international operational-tactical command-staff exercise, scheduled to take place from July 11 at the Oymasha training ground and Cape Tokmak in the Caspian Sea aquatorium of Kazakhstan. The exercise is conducted under a joint plan signed between the Defense Ministries of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.

Azerbaijan's participation in the exercise includes commando units from the Land Forces, parachute descent and search-rescue services, Su-25 aircraft from the Air Force, and patrol and descent ships from the Navy. A preparatory meeting held on July 10 in Aktau, Kazakhstan, gathered leaders from all participating countries to discuss security, organizational, and logistical details. Following the meeting, personnel familiarized themselves with the training area, received safety instructions, and were briefed on the exercise objectives.

The exercise officially commenced on July 12 with a solemn opening ceremony in Aktau, Kazakhstan. Servicemen from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan participated in the ceremony, which included playing national anthems and raising flags. A parade followed, showcasing military units from each country.

Speakers at the event highlighted the significance of such joint exercises for planning collective actions and sharing expertise, wishing success to all participants. The ceremony concluded with a concert program that garnered considerable interest among attendees.

During the subsequent days of the exercise, Azerbaijani servicemen successfully executed tasks set by the operational group, including strategic map exercises where they coordinated troop movements. Azerbaijani Air Force personnel conducted UAV flights for aerial reconnaissance in collaboration with units from other nations, identifying simulated enemy ground targets. Meanwhile, Azerbaijani Land Forces engaged in offensive maneuvers, neutralizing enemy forces and equipment effectively. Azerbaijani commandos also demonstrated swift infiltration tactics into enemy territory, securing positions and controlling strategic high grounds and roads.

Throughout the exercise, emphasis was placed on providing first aid and evacuating wounded personnel from simulated battlefields. Overall, the multinational exercise "Birlestik-2024" showcased the professional competence and collaborative spirit among servicemen from participating countries.

On July 11, practical training sessions were conducted in the field with cadets from the Baku Military College under the National Defense University. The day began with a thorough assessment of the cadets' knowledge of weapon systems and military ammunition, focusing on their combat and technical characteristics, operational procedures, and disassembly techniques. Special emphasis was placed on methods for assuming firing positions in various weather and terrain conditions and identifying and engaging simulated enemy targets using correct targeting protocols. Subsequently, practical exercises were conducted involving tasks such as target observation, throwing hand grenades while on the move and from a stationary position, and engaging emerging and moving ground targets with firearms. Throughout these exercises, the cadets demonstrated proficiency in executing all assigned tasks. The primary objective of these exercises is to enhance the cadets' combat readiness, augment their knowledge and skills, and foster their proficiency in effectively deploying weapons and ammunition in tactical scenarios.

Georgia

Georgia Concludes 'Partner 2024' Exercise with Inter-Agency Crisis Response Drill

On July 14, the inter-departmental exercise "Partner 2024," organized by the National Guard of the Defense Forces of Georgia, concluded with a demonstration exercise to enhance and refine inter-agency coordination during emergency and crisis scenarios. The training focused on preventing subversive actions and executing appropriate supportive measures.

"Partner 2024" involved military personnel from the National Guard and Special Operations Forces of the Defense Forces, alongside representatives from various Ministries of Internal Affairs, Labor, Health, and Social Protection services. Military police officers and volunteers from relevant organizations participated, with support from the Ministry of Education, Science, and Youth and local municipalities.

Observers from the Polish Territorial Defense Forces, Lithuanian National Defense Volunteer Forces, and the US Defense Cooperation Service (ODC) attended the exercise to witness the proceedings.

The training sessions in Khelvachauri and Tetritskaro municipalities simulated realistic crisis scenarios such as fire and flood responses. The demonstration exercise showcased coordinated actions under challenging conditions.

The closing ceremony of "Partner 2024" was attended by deputy ministers of defense, leaders of the defense forces, and representatives from regional and local authorities, marking the successful culmination of the inter-departmental training initiative.