Armenia

France and Armenia Signed Agreement for Military Supplies

On October 22, at the invitation of Sébastien Lecornu, the French Minister for the Armed Forces, Suren Papikyan left for the French Republic on a working visit.

Armenian Defense Minister Suren Papikyan, during his working visit to France, met with his French counterpart, Sebastien Lecornu, at the French Ministry of Armed Forces, the Armenian Ministry of Defense reports. Their discussions revolved around topics related to defense cooperation between Armenia and France, as well as regional security matters.

Sébastien Lecornu, the French Minister of Armed Forces, has earlier informed “Le Parisien” that Yerevan and Paris will sign an agreement for purchasing military supplies.

France announced Monday, October 23, the sale of defensive equipment to Armenia. Speaking to reporters, French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu said Armenia would buy three Ground Master 200 (GM200) radar systems from the French defense group Thales, without providing financial details. The system, already used in Ukraine, is known for its "remarkable detection capabilities," Lecornu said at a press conference alongside Armenian Defense Minister Suren Papikyan.

The ministers also signed a letter of intent for Armenia's purchase of air defense systems involving Thales and European missile maker MBDA, a spokesperson for Lecornu told AFP. Lecornu said the letter of intent involved the purchase of "Mistral-type" equipment, referring to a short-range air defense missile system.

"Detection only makes sense if it is accompanied by intervention and interception modules for attacks coming from the sky," Lecornu said. "It is the Armenian ministry which is purchasing these weapons and which will be subject to export licenses," he added.

He insisted that the weapons were defensive in nature. "It is a weapon system which, by its very nature, can only be implemented when there is an aggression on Armenian territory and often with civilian populations underneath," Lecornu said.

Armenian MP: "Armenia Still Awaits Russian Weapons Deliveries"

In a conversation with journalists on October 23, Andranik Kocharyan, the head of the Parliamentary Commission on Defense and Security Issues, stated that Armenia still awaits deliveries of Russian weapons. 

He was asked whether supplies of military products [weapons worth $400 million] from the Russian Federation were expected in the near future. "We gave these millions to get weapons. Now, we are waiting for weapons. Any contract includes terms and sanctions for violating these terms," he added.

Azerbaijan

Local exercises

On October 17, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry reported that according to the training plan approved by Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, the Minister of Defense, the helicopter units of the Air Force are conducting exercises. The helicopter crews flying from the base airfields accomplished the tasks on takeoff and landing, determined the coordinates of surface targets of the imaginary enemy, and conducted aerial reconnaissance and other activities in accordance with the plan of the exercises. Military pilots demonstrated high professionalism in the exercises focused on improving helicopter units' combat and practical skills.

On October 19, the Azerbaijan Army conducted comprehensive measures on transferring weapons, combat, and special equipment into the autumn-winter operation mode in accordance with the training plan for 2023. All military units were centrally provided with fuel, lubricants, other necessary spare parts, and equipment to ensure the uninterrupted and stable operation of weapons and equipment during the autumn-winter season. As part of the comprehensive measures, the equipment's fuel and lubricants were changed per the seasonal requirements, and the operability of electrical and hydraulic systems was checked.

NATO gives seminar to Azerbaijani soldiers

On October 17, the international seminar started in Baku as part of cooperation between the Azerbaijan Defense Ministry and NATO’s Bureau for International Language Coordination (BILC). The purpose of the seminar, which was held with the participation of more than 50 representatives from 27 countries, was to exchange views on the standardization of assessment criteria (STANAG 6001) for NATO’s and partner countries’ language center specialists and the application of innovations in teaching English in the field of military education.

Preparatory training for Azerbaijani-Turkish joint tactical exercises

On October 18, the Defense Ministry stated that activities on various episodes of joint tactical exercises dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Republic of Turkey to be held in Azerbaijan were worked out. In accordance with the plan, the units of the Land Forces and Rocket-artillery troops, withdrawn from the points of permanent deployment to assembly areas, took firing positions and fulfilled tasks on preparing the installations for combat use.

On October 19, the preparatory process for the "Mustafa Kemal Ataturk-2023" joint tactical exercises dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Republic of Turkey to be held in Azerbaijan continued. In accordance with the plan, combat aircraft worked out actions on takeoff and landing, performing complex pilotage maneuvers at low and medium altitudes, determining the coordinates of imaginary enemy's ground targets, as well as conducting aerial reconnaissance and other tasks.

After a day, the ministry reported that the Combined Arms Army Units involved in the exercises withdrew from the permanent deployment points and deployed in terrain, as well as fulfilled standards for preparing equipment for combat use. The commandos performed a tactical redeployment at nighttime under limited visibility conditions, conducted an assault, and neutralized an imaginary enemy’s sabotage group at the deployment point. The main objective of the exercises is to improve service members's tactical skills under limited visibility conditions and further increase commando units' combat capability.

On the same day, the F-16 fighter aircraft of the Turkish Air Force arrived in Azerbaijan to participate in the "Mustafa Kemal Ataturk-2023" exercises.

On October 21, the ministry reported that the Special Forces were put on alert in accordance with the assigned task and fulfilled various actions using protective features of the terrain and camouflage means. Overcoming obstacles that may arise on the battlefield, the group conducted a sudden assault on an imaginary enemy’s deployment point according to the plan. The enemy’s command and control points and communications centers were incapacitated, its manpower was neutralized.

Moreover, training was conducted with the Azerbaijani and Turkish Air Forces aircraft involved in the "Mustafa Kemal Ataturk-2023" joint tactical exercises. In accordance with the plan, the aircraft flying from the base airfields accomplished tasks on takeoff and landing, determining the coordinates of the imaginary enemy’s ground targets, conducting aerial reconnaissance, and other actions.

On October 22, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry stated that the commandos penetrated the operational area's depth and accomplished identifying, encircling, and neutralizing the temporary shelters of the sabotage group of the imaginary enemy stationed in the residential areas.

Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan strengthen military ties

On October 18, the delegation of Uzbekistan's Defense Ministry visited Azerbaijan in accordance with the bilateral cooperation plan for 2023 signed between Azerbaijan's and Uzbekistan's defense ministries. It should be noted that the primary purpose of the visit of the Uzbek delegation is to exchange experience in the field of army development.

After a day, Azerbaijan Defense Minister, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, paid an official visit to Uzbekistan at the invitation of Lieutenant General Bakhodir Kurbanov, the Uzbekistan Defense Minister. At the meeting, the sides exchanged views on the prospects for the development of cooperation between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan in military, military-technical, and military educational fields, the organization of regular mutual visits of experts from both countries, and several other issues of interest. In the end, the "Bilateral Military Cooperation Plan between the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Uzbekistan for 2024" was signed.

Erciyes-2023 exercises in Turkey

On October 19, Azerbaijan Army service members participated in the Erciyes-2023 exercises held in Kayseri, Turkey. The tasks assigned at the exercises involving the special forces of the Azerbaijan Naval Forces were accomplished. At the Erciyes-2023 exercises, the main attention was paid to ensuring combat interoperability during service members's interaction, exchanging experience, and increasing professionalism, as well as further improving the knowledge and skills of military personnel.

Meeting between defense ministries of Azerbaijan and the UK

On October 20, the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Defense of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland held the 6th Staff talks.

The meeting held at the Azerbaijan Defense Ministry’s International Military Cooperation Department discussed security issues, the current state, and prospects for the development of bilateral military cooperation. The issues in the humanitarian sphere and the contribution to the upcoming exercises and training on mine clearance were also discussed. The sides expressed confidence that joint military cooperation will continue to benefit both parties.

Georgia

Intermarium Cyber Security Forum

On October 16, the "Intermarium Cyber Security Forum 2023" international conference was organized by the "Cyber Security Bureau" of the Ministry of Defense of Georgia.

According to the Deputy Defense Minister, several important reforms have been implemented to develop cyber security. Efforts are being made to attract qualified young people who will become military cyber security officers and staff the cyber command.

Within the framework of the conference, special attention was paid to the following topical issues of cyber security: artificial intelligence and the military field, cloud computing in defense and security, the use of the Internet of Things in modern conflicts, the digitization of critical infrastructure, and the analysis of cyber threats and information sharing.

Minister of Defense comments on military capabilities

On October 17, Georgian Minister of Defense Juansher Burchuladze said, "Strengthening our anti-aircraft capabilities is an important role in the security of our country. As past experience and the specifications of modern warfare have shown us, in times of military confrontation, to perform defense missions and protect our critical infrastructure, developing airborne capabilities is particularly important. Therefore, strengthening this component is one of the top priorities of our efforts. Agreements have been signed with a NATO member and partner country on the purchase of modern short and long-range anti-drone systems, as well as hand-held drone detection and shutting systems."

"We are actively working towards the purchase of anti-battery radars and modernization of existing artillery facilities. From the point of view of artillery development, it is an important task to acquire artillery systems compatible with NATO. A significant effort in the future will be directed towards the purchase of 155mm self-propelled artillery systems and long-range jet-reactive fire systems," he added.

The defense minister emphasized the country's intelligence capabilities, "In light of modern warfare trends, we're making significant strides in strengthening intelligence capabilities by purchasing and importing American multi-purpose radar systems. Also, contracts have been signed on the purchase of radio-electronic intelligence systems. We have started strengthening entrepreneurship opportunities with an authoritative Polish company. Delta-Webe Ltd, founded by Delta International and Polish company Web Electronics, is actively working on the production and assembling of WARMATE (tactical reconnaissance) unmanned aviator and FLYEYE type unmanned flying aviator (operational-tactical level). This process is going according to the planned schedule, and by the end of the year, the first stage of production and assembling of combat and reconnaissance uncrewed aircraft will be completed."

Regarding the modernization of the aircraft, he noted, "We have taken important steps in terms of aviation restoration-modernization. In the past years, a significant portion of airplanes and helicopters have been renovated. This process is still active today and will continue in the future. Restoration/modernization of Iroquois (UH-1H) type flyers has been completed, and modernization of combined 'SU-25' aircraft, 'MI-8 MTV', and 'MI-24' type flyers will be completed this year. Also, L39 and AN-2 aircraft are actively involved in the contract repair process."

Lithuania's Deputy Minister of National Defense visits Georgia

On October 19, Žilvinas Tomkus, the Deputy Minister of National Defense of the Republic of Lithuania, visited Georgia. After the bilateral meeting held in the Defense Agency, the Lithuanian guest was hosted by Giorgi Khaindrava, Georgian Deputy Minister of Defense, in the 4th Infantry Brigade of Vaziani.

The Defense Agency received a grant from the Ministry of Environment of Lithuania to implement the project. The total budget of the project is 680 000 euros, 25% of which is covered by the Ministry of Defense of Georgia, it includes the design of the ministry, an installation by "Delta Builder," auditory research, and informing the public. The Stock Exchange Society donated the remaining money to "Viasol Energy."

The Deputy Minister thanked the Lithuanian representative for his support and noted that the project will save the agency's budget. By the decision of the Minister of Defense, the arrangement of photovoltaic power plants is planned in other major subdivisions of the Defense Forces.

On the same day, Lela Chikovani, the First Deputy Minister of Defense of Georgia, met Žilvinas Tomkus. Lela Chikovani thanked her Lithuanian colleague for strong political and practical cooperation in the field of defense. At the meeting, it was noted that Lithuania is an important supporter of Georgia's European and Euro-Atlantic integration.

The talks discussed cooperation between the EU and Georgia in security and defense policy. A special place was given to Lithuania's support in the implementation of initiatives provided by the NATO-Georgia Essential Package (SNGP).

Local exercises

On October 20, the Georgian Defense Ministry reported that the 31st Battalion of the 3rd Infantry Brigade of the Western Command of the Defense Forces of Georgia completed the field training of the planned tactical group at the Orfolo training ground. According to the training scenario, the tactical group of the company delayed the conditional enemy in the area of operation, maintained a significant location, and carried out a counterattack operation. In the execution of the operation, the unit was supported by engineering, mechanized, and artillery batteries. Military personnel of the 3rd Infantry Brigade participated in the two-week training. For four weeks, the unit trained in engineering, planning, and execution of operations integrated with artillery fire maneuvers, combined operations with armored vehicles, small group operations, and refinement and improvement of command-and-control measures.

Memorandum of cooperation between the Ministry of Defense of Georgia and the Estonian Electronic Government Academy

On October 22, the Georgian Defense Ministry reported that in order to strengthen the cyber capabilities of Georgia, a memorandum of cooperation was signed between the Cyber Security Bureau of the Ministry of Defense of Georgia and the Estonian Electronic Government Academy (eGA).

Luka Mgeladze, the Director of the Cyber Security Bureau, and Hannes Astok, the Executive Director of the Academy of Electronic Government, signed the document.

"Mutual cooperation is carried out within the European Union's European Peace Initiative (EPF), which is an important financial instrument and a step forward in the process of increasing the resilience and cyber defense capabilities of the Georgian Defense Forces. The memorandum envisages the organization of cyber education trainings for representatives of the cyber security field, as well as infrastructural renewal. This initiative takes into account the needs of the Ministry of Defense and will contribute to increasing compatibility with EU standards," the report noted.