Armenia

Armenia and Germany Hold Bilateral Defense Consultations in Berlin
On October 9-10, bilateral defense consultations between the Republic of Armenia and the Federal Republic of Germany took place in Berlin. The Armenian delegation was led by Levon Ayvazyan, Head of the Department of Defense Policy and International Cooperation at the Ministry of Defense of Armenia.

During meetings at the Federal Ministry of Defense of Germany, within the Departments of International Security Policy and International Cooperation, discussions focused on international and regional security issues, as well as prospects for enhancing bilateral and multilateral cooperation. Levon Ayvazyan provided an overview of the political-military situation surrounding Armenia, emphasizing the Armenian government's "Crossroads of Peace" initiative and the ongoing transformation of the Armenian Armed Forces.

Both sides reviewed the progress made in bilateral defense cooperation throughout 2024 and expressed satisfaction with the results, recognizing the significant potential for further development. As a result, the defense cooperation program for 2025 was agreed upon, including activities related to experience exchange, education, training, and other areas of mutual interest.

Armenian Soldier Found Dead
On October 13, at approximately 09:30 local time, the Armenian Ministry of Defense reported the discovery of the body of Aghasi Serozhi Dallakyan, a soldier from the Ministry of Defense's N military unit, with a gunshot wound. An investigation is currently underway to determine the full circumstances surrounding the case. The Ministry of Defense extended its condolences and support to the family, relatives, and friends of the serviceman.

Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan’s Defense Minister Hosts Uzbek Air Force Commander
On October 7, the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense reported that Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, Minister of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan, received Major General Akhmad Burkhanov, Commander of the Air Defense Forces and the Air Force of Uzbekistan, who was visiting Azerbaijan.

Following the meeting, an official welcoming ceremony was held at the Central Command Post of the Air Force. The Deputy Minister of Defense of Azerbaijan, Lieutenant General Namig Islamzade, and his Uzbek counterpart reviewed the guard of honor. Discussions between the commanders focused on enhancing cooperation and exchanging experiences in military aviation and air defense, as well as facilitating mutual visits.

After the meeting, the Uzbek delegation was provided with a detailed overview of the work carried out at the Central Command Post of the Air Force.

Azerbaijan Strengthens NATO Relations
On October 9, Colonel General Karim Valiyev, First Deputy Minister of Defense and Chief of the General Staff of the Azerbaijan Army, met with Lieutenant General Janusz Adamczak, Director General of NATO's International Military Staff, who was visiting Azerbaijan. Colonel General Valiyev welcomed the guests and highlighted the importance of strengthening relations with NATO.

Colonel General Valiyev stated, "Our country is rapidly continuing restoration and construction works in the liberated territories, as well as humanitarian demining activities. Now the main obstacle ahead of us is mine terrorism caused by the Armenian occupation." He provided detailed information about the current situation along the Azerbaijani-Armenian conditional border and emphasized the positive impact of NATO's Operational Capabilities Concept (OCC) on unit training, stressing the need for ongoing cooperation.

The Chief of the General Staff also expressed concern over the deployment of the European Union observation mission in Armenian territory and the arming of Armenia by extra-regional countries, particularly France, which he argued could foster revanchist forces and hinder the peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

Lieutenant General Adamczak expressed satisfaction with his visit and commended the Azerbaijani Army's contributions to NATO partnership activities, including its role in the Resolute Support non-combat mission in Afghanistan and other peacekeeping efforts.

The meeting addressed military cooperation, military education, regional security, and other relevant topics. The NATO delegation also paid respects at the Alley of Martyrs, honoring those who sacrificed their lives for Azerbaijan's independence and territorial integrity during the 20 January tragedy and the First Karabakh War. Additionally, the delegation visited the Military Trophy Park, where they viewed various military equipment seized from the enemy during the Patriotic War, as well as the Military Institute named after Heydar Aliyev and a naval forces military unit.

Tajikistan’s Military Education Delegation Visits Azerbaijan
On October 10, a delegation led by Major General Hafiz Jabor Azizzoda, Chief of the Personnel and Military Education Department of the Ministry of Defense of Tajikistan, visited Azerbaijan. During their visit, the delegation attended the Military Institute named after Heydar Aliyev, where they received a briefing on the institute's history and activities.

The meeting was also attended by Ilhom Abdurahmon, the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Tajikistan to Azerbaijan. The attendees exchanged views on the development prospects of the military education system. The delegation took the opportunity to meet with Tajik cadets enrolled at the institute, inquiring about their academic progress.

In addition to academic discussions, the delegation visited the institute's museum, where they viewed an exhibition featuring a photo booth. They explored the institute's facilities, including the teaching corps, material, and technical resources, and gathered information about the cadet training process.

As part of their visit, the guests also toured the Military Trophy Park, where they observed various military equipment, including firearms, armored vehicles, artillery installations, missile complexes, and other assets seized during the Patriotic War.

Belarusian Defense Delegation Visits Azerbaijan
On October 10, a delegation from the Ministry of Defense of Belarus visited Azerbaijan. During their visit, the delegation attended the International Military Cooperation Department of the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense, where they received a briefing on the primary activities of the Engineering Troops.

Major General Anar Karimov, Chief of the Main Department of the Engineering Troops, informed the Belarusian delegation about the mine clearance operations in the liberated territories following the Victory in the Patriotic War under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.

The discussions then focused on potential avenues for mutual cooperation and proposals for advancing bilateral relations. On the following day, the delegation toured a military unit of the Main Department of the Engineering Troops, where they reviewed the weapons, supplies, and equipment used by the engineering units, as well as the engineering camp located within the military unit's territory.

Local Exercise
On October 11, the Rocket and Artillery units of the Azerbaijani Land Forces successfully completed their firing tasks. As part of the planned exercise, the units mobilized from their permanent deployment locations to designated assembly areas, where they established firing positions.

During the exercise, which simulated real combat conditions, the units successfully accomplished tasks related to detecting imaginary enemy targets and effectively destroying them with precise fire. The primary objectives of this exercise included enhancing the command and control capabilities of the units, increasing the knowledge and skills of military personnel, planning activities during combat operations, and fostering interoperability with other types of troops.

Georgia

Local Exercises
On October 11, the Georgian Ministry of Defense reported the successful conclusion of the first Georgian military medical exercise conducted according to NATO standards near the Vaziani military airfield. Named GEOMEDEX 24, the exercise was led by the Eastern Command and the Medical Department as part of the NATO-Georgia Essential Package (SNGP) military medical initiative. Its primary objective was to enhance the military medical capabilities of the Georgian Defense Forces.

During the exercise, wounded servicemen were evacuated to the ROLE2F "Didgori" field hospital with medevac capabilities and subsequently transferred to a civilian hospital by helicopter. The training event was attended by several dignitaries, including Paata Patiashvili, Deputy Minister of Defense of Georgia; Brigadier General Irakli Chichinadze, Deputy Commander of the Defense Forces; Tamar Gabunia, Deputy Minister of IDPs, Labor, Health, and Social Protection; members of the core group of SNGP; defense attachés; and representatives from the US European Command Air Forces, the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan, and the Lugar Medical Research Center.

During the event, Brigadier General Irakli Chichinadze awarded "Worthy Partner" medals to Colonel Jürgen Muntenaar and Lieutenant Colonel Yvonne Siebert for their significant contributions to the development of military medical initiatives and the successful planning and execution of the training.

The exercise involved the medical company of the 4th Infantry Brigade, which is preparing for NATO's Operational Capability Concept Assessment and Feedback (OCC E&F) certification process. The unit's Initial Operational Capability (IOC) has already been positively assessed by the European Multinational Medical Coordination Center's evaluation team, and the company is set to undergo NATO's Final Operational Capability Certification (FOC) at the NATO-Georgia exercise in 2025.

Additionally, on the same day, the International Training of Observer-Controllers (IOCT) Course was completed. The theoretical part of the training was conducted at the NATO-Georgian Joint Center for Training and Evaluation, while practical lessons were held at the Norio Training Base. Over five days, 13 representatives from six countries provided training on the functions and duties of observer-controllers, as well as the changes and methods of action in an operational environment. This was the ninth iteration of the international course, which was co-led by Lithuanian officers alongside Georgian instructors. Notable attendees included Colonel David Gagua, head of the NATO-Georgian Training and Evaluation Center, and Vice Colonel Donato Rupshisi, Lithuanian Defense Attaché.