Armenia

Local exercise

On May 14, the Armenian Defense Ministry reported that the Armenian Armed Forces initiated another strategic command exercise aimed at assessing the practical execution of the force's combat plans and capabilities. The exercise also sought to evaluate the effectiveness of various reinforcement strategies and the coordination among military units and subdivisions.

Various tactical drills were conducted during the exercise to enhance officers' combat proficiency and operational readiness. These exercises incorporated combat shooting, the utilization of advanced technology, and the testing of automatic management systems.

The military exercise's overarching goals included assessing the implementation of combat plans, evaluating the capabilities of military forces and governing bodies, exploring different reinforcement strategies, enhancing coordination among military headquarters, and bolstering morale, physical endurance, and a sense of cohesion among personnel.

Rumors About Deputy Minister of Defense's Citizenship Debunked by Armenian Ministry

On May 14, the ministry addressed the dissemination of false and manipulative information on social media regarding Armenian 1st Deputy Minister of Defense and Head of the Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Edward Asryan. Rumors circulating about his alleged Russian citizenship and the citizenship status of his family members were denounced as baseless exploitation.

It was emphasized that Lieutenant General Edward Asryan is exclusively a citizen of the Republic of Armenia, while his wife holds Russian nationality, resulting in their children being dual citizens by birth. Furthermore, it was clarified that both Asryan's wife and children have been permanent residents of the Republic of Armenia since 2006.

Highlighting the family's commitment to Armenia, it was revealed that the son of the head of the State of Defense is actively engaged in military recruitment events for the RA Armed Forces of 2024, serving as a soldier himself.

Armenia and India Hold First Defense Consultations

During the meeting on May 14, the first defense consultations between the Ministries of Defense of Armenia and India took place at the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Armenia. Chaired by Levon Ayvazyan, the Head of the Department of Defense Policy and International Cooperation at the Ministry of Defense of Armenia, and Vishwesh Negi, the Joint Secretary for International Cooperation at the Ministry of Defense of India, the consultations aimed to enhance bilateral defense cooperation.

The discussions, attended by Ambassador Nilakshi Saha Sinha and Defense Attaché Brigadier General Naveen Nijhawan from the Indian side, focused on the current state of cooperation between Armenia and India in the defense sector. They also explored prospects, including military-technical collaboration, military education, combat training of personnel, and the exchange of experiences.

Regional security issues were also addressed during the meeting, reflecting the shared interests of both countries in maintaining stability in the region.

Ayvazyan provided insights into the ongoing reforms within the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia, emphasizing the country's commitment to enhancing its defense capabilities.

To formalize the outcomes of the consultations, a protocol was signed, approving the Cooperation Plan between the Defense Ministries of Armenia and India for the years 2024-2025. 

Armenian Defense Delegation Attends IDEB-2024 Exhibition in Slovakia

From May 14 to 15, a delegation led by Karen Brutyan, the Deputy Minister of Defense of the Republic of Armenia, participated in the Defense Exhibition IDEB-2024 in Bratislava, Slovakia, at the invitation of the Ministry of Defense of Slovakia.

During the exhibition, the Armenian delegation engaged in meetings with various officials, including Robert Kaliňák, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense of Slovakia, and the General Director of the Investment and Trade Development Agency of the Ministry of Economy Slovakia. Discussions also took place with representatives from enterprises within the military-industrial complex.

The meetings focused on enhancing military-technical cooperation between Armenia and Slovakia, establishing several agreements to foster collaboration in this domain.

Azerbaijan

Local and international exercises

On May 13, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry announced the successful completion of tasks within the "Anatolian Phoenix - 2024" International Search and Rescue Exercise in Konya, Turkey. The exercise included operations such as the search for a crashed crew member and the interrogation and evacuation of a captured crew member by the Parachute descent and search and rescue group. Azerbaijan's participation involved personnel from the Parachute descent-search and rescue service, Air Force aviation vehicles, and Navy special forces. The exercise ran until May 17.

Subsequently, on May 16, artillery units conducted a live-fire tactical exercise. Activities included withdrawing units from permanent deployment points to assembly areas, establishing firing positions, and preparing devices for combat use. Additional tasks involved tracking enemy activity using radar complexes and drones, engaging enemy artillery, and neutralizing air reconnaissance devices. The exercise aimed to enhance military personnel's knowledge and capabilities, improve command staff skills in managing artillery units, and facilitate interoperability with other troop types during combat operations.

On May 17, the "Anatolian Phoenix - 2024" International Search and Rescue Exercise concluded in Konya, Turkey. The closing ceremony featured an analysis of the exercise's activities, followed by participants exchanging gifts and taking photos. Notably, Azerbaijani Army pilots completed tasks involving the detection of surface targets and airstrikes and providing close air support using Su-25 ML attack aircraft during the exercise.

Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan Hold Military Specialists Meeting on Ideological Work and Training

On May 14, military specialists from the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Uzbekistan met at the Azerbaijan Army's Training and Educational Center in accordance with the bilateral cooperation plan signed for 2024.

During the meeting, the Uzbek delegation received detailed insights into organizing ideological work and training military psychologists within the Azerbaijan Army. Officers from the Department for Ideological Work and Moral-Psychological Support of the Main Department for Personnel of the Ministry of Defense briefed the Uzbek guests on the department's activities, emphasizing the importance of high moral-psychological training for the Azerbaijan Army's personnel. 

Georgia

Georgian Delegation, Led by Prime Minister, Visits Turkey for High-Level Talks

On May 16, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze led a delegation from the Georgian Government during their visit to the Republic of Turkey. Among the engagements, Irakli Chikovani, a delegation member, met with the Turkish Minister of National Defense, Iashar Giuller. Chikovani expressed gratitude to the Turkish side for their political and practical support, emphasizing the significance of strategic partnerships and high-level dialogues between the two countries.

During the meeting, discussions revolved around cooperation in both trilateral and bilateral formats, with particular attention given to the forthcoming Azerbaijan-Turkey-Georgia defense ministry meeting planned to take place in Georgia. The parties explored various areas of bilateral cooperation, including opportunities for military education, financial and material-technical assistance, and joint participation in international training initiatives.

Of note was Turkey's substantial contribution to the implementation of NATO-Georgia essential package initiatives, underscoring the importance of collaborative efforts in enhancing regional security and stability.

Georgian Defense Forces Head Meets NATO Military Committee Chairman

On May 17, Major General Giorgi Matiashvili, the head of the Georgian Defense Forces, held a significant meeting with Admiral Rob Bauer, Chairman of the NATO Military Committee, at NATO headquarters. The discussion centered on security challenges facing Georgia and the Black Sea region. Matiashvili briefed Admiral Bauer on the ongoing transformation process within the Georgian Defense Forces and outlined priorities for long-term development. The importance of NATO-Georgian military cooperation was underscored, with attention given to current issues and prospects. Emphasis was placed on the vital role of NATO cooperation formats in enhancing the capabilities of the Defense Forces and fostering compatibility with the Alliance. Matiashvili expressed gratitude for the political and practical support provided by NATO to Georgia.

Following the meeting with Admiral Bauer, Major General Giorgi Matiashvili engaged in detailed discussions on NATO-Georgia cooperation with Lieutenant General Janush Adamchak, Director of NATO's International Military Service. Topics included progress made within the NATO-Georgia essential package, NATO-Georgia training planning, and other areas of military collaboration.

Additionally, a military committee meeting was convened at NATO headquarters, attended by commanders of the Defense Forces. During his visit to Brussels, Major General Giorgi Matiashvili held discussions with counterparts from Germany, France, Romania, and Slovakia, focusing on bilateral cooperation matters.