Armenia

Armenian-British 6th Defense Strategic Consultations

On November 28, the Armenian-British 6th Defense Strategic Consultations took place in London. The Armenian delegation was headed by Levon Ayvazyan, the Head of the Defense Policy and International Cooperation Department of the Armenian Defense Policy of the Ministry of Defense and International Cooperation, the Press Office of the Armenian Defense Ministry reported.

Issues related to bilateral cooperation in regional and international security and defense spheres have been discussed. The sides have thoroughly discussed the current process of bilateral military cooperation and prospects for development. The two recorded significant collaborative potential in several new areas and a willingness to bring them to life around which agreements have been made.

Levon Ayvazyan presented to British colleagues the security situation around Armenia and the steps of the Armenian side towards regional peace and stability, including the "Peace Crossroads" project. Extensive reforms in the Armenian Armed Forces were also presented.

The agreement has been made to hold the 7th defense strategic consultations in Yerevan.

Short meeting with European Union Ambassador to Armenia

On December 1, Suren Papikyan, the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Armenia, received Vassilis Maragos, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary and the Head of the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Armenia. 

During the meeting, issues related to Armenia-EU cooperation, as well as regional security, were discussed.

Azerbaijan

Baku hosts Azerbaijan-Georgia-Turkey meeting for defense talks

On November 27, a tripartite meeting was held between Zakir Hasanov, the Minister of Defense of Azerbaijan, Yashar Güler, the Minister of National Defense of Turkey, and Juansher Burchuladze, the Minister of Defense of Georgia, the Press Office of the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry reported.

According to the information, the tripartite meeting noted the importance of unifying efforts in the fight against factors that could threaten the region's security. "The defense ministers emphasized the importance of expanding the scope of tripartite exercises and training. Confidence was expressed that the expansion of tripartite cooperation in the field of defense will contribute not only to our countries but also to the strengthening of peace, stability, and security in the region. At the meeting, detailed views were exchanged on the development prospects of cooperation in military, military education, military medicine, and other aspects of mutual interest," the information added.

Azerbaijani Defense Minister Zakir Hasanov said that trilateral meetings are important in terms of contributing to peace in the region. "Taking into account the traditional meetings of the heads of state, we must develop cooperation in the defense field," the minister noted.

Turkish National Defense Minister Yashar Güler noted that Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey have the closest military relations. "The relations between Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey are strategically important, " Yashar Güler said. The minister said that Turkey is determined to develop relations. "We are working for stability in the Caucasus. Azerbaijan liberated its lands from occupation. The countries of the region can solve their own problems. We support contacts between Yerevan and Baku to show this to the international community. We think that the "3+3" platform is a good format for solving problems peacefully," the minister said. Güler emphasized that he wants to increase Azerbaijan's participation in NATO exercises. Yashar Güler also noted that joint training on cyber attacks will be held next year in Turkey.

Baku expands military cooperation with Georgia and Turkey

On the same day, Zakir Hasanov and Juansher Burchuladze held a bilateral meeting in Baku.

Burchuladze expressed his satisfaction with his visit to Azerbaijan and congratulated his colleague on restoring the territorial integrity of the Republic of Azerbaijan. He emphasized that mutual visits and such meetings are a clear example of the high level of cooperation between Azerbaijan and Georgia.

Prospects for the development of military cooperation between the countries were discussed, and a detailed exchange of views on increasing the intensity of joint exercises was held at the meeting. Support for the territorial integrity of the countries recognized at the international level was emphasized. Then, the sides discussed in detail issues of ensuring peace and security in the region, prospects for the development of cooperation in the military, military-technical, and military-educational fields, and other matters of mutual interest.

At the end of the meeting, a plan of bilateral military cooperation between the Ministries of Defense of Azerbaijan and Georgia for 2024 was signed.

On November 27, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov met with Yashar Güler in Baku.

Expressing satisfaction with his visit to the fraternal country, Y.Güler thanked for the hospitality and conveyed confidence that the cooperation between the countries, based on mutual trust and support, will continue to develop successfully.

It was highlighted that Azerbaijani-Turkish ties are based on allied relations according to the Shusha Declaration. The exceptional role of the declaration in the development of bilateral relations was emphasized.

A detailed exchange of views on the importance of increasing the intensity of joint exercises, military-political processes in the region and the world, ways to ensure stability in the region, and other issues of mutual interest were also held at the meeting.

Local exercises

On November 27, a training shooting was carried out with the aviation equipment of the Azerbaijan Air Force. Practical flights were conducted after the delivery of safety rules to the personnel. After carrying out combat maneuvers along the specified routes, Su-25ML aircraft fired 250- and 500-kilogram smart air bombs at ground targets from a long distance. To improve the combat training of military pilots, the assigned targets were destroyed from a long distance by precise air strikes.

On November 29, computer-assisted Command and Staff Exercises were held in the area and the Simulation Center with subordinate formations and units. At the first stage of the command and staff exercises, units were brought to different levels of combat readiness, put on alert, and withdrawn to assembly areas. Based on the task received from the high command, operations planning was started, and activities in accordance with the military decision-making process were carried out to make the optimal decision in the stationed field and stationary battle control points. Reconnaissance readiness of the battlefield of the area where the operations are planned was conducted by the headquarters, and the gravity centers of the enemy and units were determined. According to the combat order received from the higher headquarters, the tank and mechanized units attacked the area where the imaginary enemy was stationed. The main focus was on capturing heights that could see the approaches of the enemy's supply routes and reserves. The second stage of the exercises was held by executing on computers in the Simulation Center to observe the possibility of implementing the decisions made by the headquarters in the area, the ability of the commanders to manage their subordinate units on the battlefield, the effective use of fire-support means and the organization of comprehensive support at all stages of the battle. At the end of the exercises, in which the goals were achieved due to the joint activity of various types of troops, the headquarters' readiness level in exercises the troops for combat and planning operations was highly evaluated.

On December 2, Colonel General Karim Valiyev, the First Deputy Minister of Defense and the Chief of the General Staff of the Azerbaijan Army, and other officials of the ministry attended military units stationed on the border with Armenia in Gadabay, Dashkasan and Kalbajar directions. The organization of troops service and combat duty was inspected in the units stationed in high mountainous areas. It was reported that the service is conducted 24 hours a day in an intensive working mode according to the daily routine, and combat duty is organized. Colonel General Valiyev also inspected the combat readiness of the artillery, engineering, and commando military units. It was noted that the assigned tasks are conducted based on the plan, special attention is paid to the organization and conduct of combat training measures by the requirements. In the end, the Chief of General Staff watched training and exercises on the combat readiness of one of the commando units and set specific tasks for the command staff to further increase the quality and intensity of exercises, as well as to improve the practical skills of the servicemen and develop the level of readiness.

Georgia

Local exercises

After the restoration-modernization of the aircraft belonging to the Defense Forces of Georgia, the demonstration exercise of military aviation was conducted for the first time, the Georgian Defense Ministry reported. Su-25, Mi-24, and "Mimino" type flying machines repaired by Tbilaviamsheni took part in the military training at Vaziani training ground. The main goal of the groups participating in the aviation exercise was to destroy the enemy's gathering area. A significant part of airplanes and helicopters have already been modernized, and the said process continues actively. As a result of the joint efforts of JSC "Delta" and JSC "Tam" Tbilaviamsheni, as a result of the works performed by Georgian specialists, seven units of Su-25 type aircraft, five units of Mi-24 have already been delivered. Also, work is underway on the repair of 3 units of L-39 training-combat aircraft and two units of Mi-8 MTV. The restoration-modernization of the aircraft is being carried out in accordance with the agreement's schedule. At the same time, pilots and technical staff undergo training according to their qualifications and specialties.

Bilateral cooperation plan for 2024 with Lithuania

On December 1, a bilateral cooperation plan for 2024 was signed between the ministries of defense of Georgia and Lithuania. The document was signed by Lela Chikovani, the First Deputy Minister of Defense of Georgia, and Deputy Minister of National Defense of Lithuania Žilvinas Tomkus in the Ministry of Defense of Lithuania. The cooperation plan includes bilateral visits, consultations, joint participation in international trainings and courses of military personnel, and cooperation on military education. Defense agencies of Georgia and Lithuania will also continue to cooperate in cybersecurity. The First Deputy Minister of Defense attended a high-level conference during his visit to Lithuania and appeared as a panel speaker. The event organized by the Lithuanian Ministry of National Defense was dedicated to the issues of the "Eastern Partnership" countries and their involvement in the EU's united defense and security policy.

Response to accusations from TV First

On December 2, the ministry reported that TV First continued its disinformation campaign against the Defense Ministry aimed at discrediting successful reforms of the Defense Forces, state structures, and agency. "When the mentioned television broadcasted absurd information about the family members of the Minister of Defense, the agency left it unanswered, but now the case concerns the Georgian army, and there is an attempt to damage the army's image deliberately. This time, the TV spread false information about quality defects and uniforms in the food supply of the Defense Forces," the report noted.

"Unfortunately, this story used false information without an absolutely objective source and naming facts. Significantly, food and uniform control has been strengthened since 2020, and one of the proofs is the creation of a separate department of quality control. The norm of the daily meat ration increased from 250 grams to 480 grams, and the military menu has diversified. According to the minister's act, first-quality meat was replaced by the highest quality, including raw, unfrozen beef and pork. Also, the quality of military uniforms and shoes has improved significantly. Never before 2020 would our military be massively supplied by German shoemakers with the world's best brands," the information said.

"It is sad that the television in question purposely attempts to project negative attitudes and stereotypes towards the Defense Forces and the military service in general, which completely contradicts our country's defense challenges and ongoing reforms to strengthen the military. The authority is ready at any time, in advance, without naming the object, to conduct nutrition monitoring with the interested party," the report noted.