Armenia

Armenia and Serbia Discuss Defense Cooperation in Meeting with Defense Minister

On June 4, the Armenian Defense Ministry reported that the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Armenia, Suren Papikyan, welcomed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Tatjana Panajotović Cvetković and Defence Attaché Lieutenant Colonel Zvezdan Krichak (residence - Tehran) to Armenia.

Minister Papikyan congratulated Lieutenant Colonel Zvezdan Krichak on his accreditation in Armenia and wished him a successful tenure.

During the meeting, discussions centered on enhancing cooperation between Armenia and Serbia in the field of defense. An agreement was reached to facilitate the signing of a defense cooperation agreement between the governments of Armenia and Serbia.

Additionally, topics pertaining to ongoing reforms within the Armenian Armed Forces and regional security were deliberated upon.

Armenian Defense Minister Visits Bulgaria

On June 5, a delegation led by the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Armenia, Suren Papikyan, commenced a working visit to Bulgaria. As part of this visit, Minister Papikyan attended the "HEMUS 2024" international exhibition in Plovdiv, which opened on the same day.

During the exhibition's official opening ceremony, Minister Papikyan participated and subsequently toured the pavilions, examining the displayed weaponry exhibits and engaging in discussions with leaders and representatives of various military-industrial companies. Within the "HEMUS 2024" international exhibition framework, Minister Papikyan also had a brief conversation with the President of the Republic of Bulgaria, Rumen Radev.

Furthermore, during his working visit to Bulgaria, Minister Papikyan met with the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Bulgaria, Atanas Zapryanov, with the presence of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Armen Yedigarian of the Republic of Armenia to the Republic of Bulgaria. Discussions during the meeting primarily focused on Armenia-Bulgaria cooperation in defense and potential collaborations in the military-technical domain. Additionally, matters related to multilateral cooperation within NATO and the EU and regional security were addressed. Minister Papikyan provided an overview of the ongoing reforms in the Armenian Armed Forces, highlighting their progress and objectives.

Minister Papikyan's working visit to Bulgaria continued, with further engagements on June 6, including touring the pavilions of the "HEMUS 2024" international exhibition and meeting with representatives of various military-industrial companies. These engagements resulted in several agreements.

Armenian Defense Delegation Attends 'ILA Berlin 2024' Exhibition in Germany

On June 7, a delegation from the Ministry of Defence, headed by Deputy Minister of Defence Karen Brutyan, departed for Germany to participate in the "ILA Berlin 2024" exhibition held in Berlin from June 5 to 9.

During the visit, the delegation conducted meetings with Benedikt Zimmer, the State Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Defence of Germany (GDR), alongside other officials and representatives of military-industrial companies.

During these meetings, discussions centered on military-technical and military-technological cooperation between Armenia and Germany. As a result, several agreements were reached, and various documents were signed to further enhance collaboration in these domains.

Azerbaijan

Local and international exercises

On June 3, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry reported that servicemen of the Azerbaijan Army attended the Distinguished Visitors Day of the African Lion 2024 international military exercise in Agadir, Morocco. The exercise, comprising computer-assisted command staff and live-fire stages, addressed combat operations against terrorist groups. The overarching aim of this exercise, held for the 20th time, is to bolster regional peace, international security, and stability.

On June 4, the opening ceremony of the Caucasian Eagle - 2024 joint exercise commenced in Azerbaijan, featuring special forces from Azerbaijan, Turkey, and Georgia. The ceremony began with a moment of silence to honor fallen servicemen, followed by the playing of national anthems and the raising of flags. Major General Akif Pirverdiyev, Acting Commander of the Special Forces, conveyed congratulations from the Defense Ministry's leadership to exercise participants. Post-ceremony, attendees enjoyed the concert program "Caucasian Eagle, from the top to the top!" featuring various artistic performances.

On June 6, the Caucasian Eagle - 2024 joint exercise, held in Azerbaijan with participation from special forces of Azerbaijan, Turkey, and Georgia, was in progress. Special forces executed a surprise raid on an imaginary enemy's position, utilizing terrain features and camouflage to incapacitate command and control points, communication links, and enemy personnel successfully.

On June 6, the Combined Arms Army organized a training-methodical session involving commanders and deputy commanders of battalions and batteries. Officers' drills were reviewed during this session, and their readiness for classes was assessed. The session focused on planning and conducting practical classes covering various aspects such as tactical, fire, physical, driving, artillery, engineering, and drill training. Emphasis was placed on incorporating new requirements in modern combined-arms warfare into training sessions, addressing potential management issues, and exploring solutions. The classes enhanced officers' theoretical knowledge, practical skills, and unit management abilities. Discussions during the session included practicing scenarios related to combat situations and utilizing technological innovations effectively. After the session, officers were assigned tasks to further improve their subordinate personnel's combat readiness and professionalism. They were encouraged to adapt exercises to simulate real combat conditions and leverage technological advancements in their training approaches.

On June 7, tasks outlined in the Caucasian Eagle - 2024 exercise in Baku, involving special forces from Azerbaijan, Turkey, and Georgia, were ongoing. Special forces moved to designated points for raiding strategic and military facilities of the imaginary enemy, accomplishing objectives by securing advantageous positions.

On June 8, the Caucasian Eagle - 2024 exercise persisted in Azerbaijan, featuring special forces from Azerbaijan, Turkey, and Georgia. Special forces achieved tasks related to clandestinely approaching and neutralizing the imaginary enemy and navigating obstacles under low-visibility nighttime conditions. The joint exercise is scheduled to continue until June 12.

Azerbaijan-Uzbekistan Strengthen Military Ties During Official Visit

On June 5, Colonel General Karim Valiyev, the First Deputy Minister of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Chief of the General Staff of the Azerbaijan Army, embarked on an official visit to Uzbekistan at the invitation of Major General Shukhrat Khalmukhamedov, the First Deputy Minister of Defense of the Republic of Uzbekistan and Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces. Colonel General Valiyev met with his Uzbek counterpart, Major General Khalmukhamedov. A ceremonial welcome took place at the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Uzbekistan, where both Chiefs of the General Staff inspected the guard of honor, and the national anthems of Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan were performed. Discussions centered on the prospects for cooperation in military, military-technical, and military-educational domains, along with an exchange of information on mutual interests.

On June 6, Colonel General Valiyev's official visit to Uzbekistan continued. The Azerbaijani delegation toured the Chimyon mountain training center, acquainting themselves with its infrastructure and educational material resources. They also visited the Armed Forces Academy of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Detailed insights into the Academy's activities were provided to the Azerbaijani delegation, who familiarized themselves with the facilities available.

Kazakh Defense Minister Visits Azerbaijan

On June 7, a delegation led by Colonel General Ruslan Zhaksylykov, the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Kazakhstan, embarked on an official visit to Azerbaijan.

Subsequently, the Azerbaijan Defense Ministry hosted a solemn welcoming ceremony, during which both Defense Ministers inspected the guard of honor. 

During the meeting, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, the Azerbaijani Minister of Defense, welcomed his Kazakh counterpart, highlighting the foundation of bilateral military cooperation on friendly and fraternal relations. Minister Hasanov underscored the importance of enhancing cooperation in military-technical, military education, and other spheres.

Colonel General Zhaksylykov emphasized the significance of such visits in strengthening defense cooperation between the two nations. He extended an invitation to Minister Hasanov to attend the Distinguished Visitors Day of the "Бірлестік (Unity) - 2024" operational-tactical command-staff exercise scheduled to take place in Aktau in July 2024.

The meeting concluded with signing a document on cooperation in the military field between the governments of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Kazakhstan.

NATO's DEEP Delegation Applauds Educational Advancements at Baku's National Defense University

On June 3, a yearly summarizing meeting with the DEEP delegation took place in Baku as part of NATO's Defence Education Enhancement Programme.

During the meeting, discussions centered on the progress of the educational system at the National Defense University (NDU), exchanging experiences from the previous year, and outlining the agenda for an upcoming international scientific conference scheduled for October 7-10 of the current year.

The sessions held at the NDU's educational institutions welcomed participation from local and foreign experts in education, alongside representatives from the university.

The DEEP delegation commended the educational innovations introduced at the National Defense University, engaging in an in-depth exchange of ideas regarding potential avenues for further collaboration.

Georgia

Georgian Defense Forces Conclude Successful 'Gelati 2024' Training Exercise

On June 8, the Georgian Defense Ministry reported that the "Gelati 2024" training conducted by the tactical group of the "Alpha" company of the 31st Infantry Battalion within the 3rd Infantry Brigade of the Western Command of the Georgian Defense Forces concluded at the Orfolo training ground. Brigadier General Koba Grigolia, the Western Commander of the Defense Forces, attended the demonstration exercise.

The participating unit received support from the "Dana" battery, 120mm mortar group, tank company, as well as engineering, anti-aircraft, and various other units.

The primary objective of the training was to secure key locations within the operational area by integrating maneuver, firepower, and robust engineering capabilities.

After completing the training, Brigadier General Koba Grigolia met with the military personnel, congratulated them on the successful execution of "Gelati 2024," and presented certificates to the participants.