Armenia

Armenian MoD Advances Digital Accounting System

On March 12, a presentation-discussion took place at the administrative complex of the Armenian Ministry of Defense regarding the implementation of an accounting software system within the Ministry. The installation of the electronic accounting system is progressing according to the planned schedule and is expected to be completed by the end of 2025. Upon completion, the Ministry of Defense's accounting will be fully digitalized in compliance with the law and standards of public sector accounting.

The presentation-discussion was attended by representatives of the Armenian Ministry of Defense, the ZU GSH management team, the Prime Minister's staff, the Armenian Audit Chamber, the Ministry of Finance, and the State Audit Service.

Armenia and Lithuania Hold Bilateral Defense Consultations in Vilnius

On March 13–14, bilateral defense consultations between Armenia and Lithuania were held in Vilnius. The discussions were led by Levon Ayvazyan, Head of the Defense Policy and International Cooperation Department of the Armenian Ministry of Defense, and Algirdas Norkus, Head of the International Relations and Action Group of the Lithuanian Ministry of National Defense.

Ara Margaryan, Armenia’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Lithuania, also participated. The discussions focused on the current state and future development of bilateral defense cooperation. At the conclusion of the consultations, a 2025 cooperation plan between the Armenian Ministry of Defense and the Lithuanian Ministry of National Defense was signed, outlining various events to be held in both countries.

Border Incidents

On March 16, the Armenian Ministry of Defense issued a statement denying claims made by the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense regarding alleged ceasefire violations. The Armenian Ministry also highlighted that the Prime Minister's Office had proposed the creation of a joint Armenian-Azerbaijani mechanism to investigate ceasefire violations and related incidents; however, Azerbaijan has yet to respond to this proposal.

Later the same day, the Armenian Ministry of Defense rejected additional allegations by Azerbaijan, which claimed that Armenian forces had fired on Azerbaijani positions at approximately 6:35 p.m. and again between 8:10 p.m. and 8:45 p.m. in the southeastern section of the border. Once again, Armenia reiterated its proposal for a joint investigation mechanism, emphasizing that Azerbaijan had not responded.

Azerbaijan

Local Exercises

On March 10, training sessions for a group of reservists continued as part of joint actions with the State Service for Mobilization and Conscription. The exercises included drill and physical training, as well as lectures on national spiritual values. Reservists also received instruction on the tactical and technical characteristics of weapons and military equipment used by the Azerbaijan Army. The training aimed to strengthen reservists’ combat skills and practical abilities.

On March 11, the Azerbaijan Army prioritized physical training to enhance combat readiness and maintain servicemen’s health. Personnel from all branches, including army corps, formations, and special educational institutions, participated in training sessions involving swimming, taekwondo, wrestling, judo, running, boxing, football, volleyball, and other sports, alongside self-defense and hand-to-hand combat exercises.

On March 12, the Azerbaijan Air Force conducted helicopter training flights. Pilots were assessed on their theoretical knowledge of flight conditions and safety regulations before performing takeoffs, landings, aerial reconnaissance, and target detection. The training aimed to enhance pilots' combat readiness and practical skills.

Azerbaijan’s Defense Minister Meets Baykar CEO

On March 14, Azerbaijani Defense Minister Zakir Hasanov met with Haluk Bayraktar, CEO of Türkiye’s defense technology company Baykar, during his visit to Azerbaijan. Discussions focused on strengthening Azerbaijani-Turkish military cooperation, particularly through technological innovation and joint defense production. At the end of the meeting, Minister Hasanov awarded Mr. Bayraktar the "For Services in the Field of Military Cooperation" medal in recognition of his contributions.

Border Incidents

On March 16, at approximately 9:45 a.m., the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense reported that Armenian forces stationed near the Digh settlement in the Gorus region fired small arms at Azerbaijani Army positions.

Later that day, at around 6:35 p.m., Armenian forces near Khazinavar settlement in the Gorus region allegedly opened fire. Between 8:10 p.m. and 8:45 p.m., further gunfire was reported from Armenian positions near Burun settlement in the Gorus region.

Georgia

Georgia Opens Regional Military Conscription Center in Gori

On March 11, the Georgian Ministry of Defense announced the opening of the Shida Kartli and Samtskhe-Javakheti Regional Center for Military Conscription and Recruitment in Gori.

The ceremony was attended by Defense Minister Irakli Chikovani and Commander of the Defense Forces Giorgi Matiashvili, who formally launched the center. Minister Chikovani emphasized the importance of regional centers in streamlining the recruitment and conscription process. Following the ribbon-cutting, Colonel Irakli Chitanava, Director of the National Agency for Military Conscription and Recruitment, led a tour explaining the center’s infrastructure and objectives.

The center is part of a broader National Conscription and Recruitment Agency, which operates eight regional centers and 81 municipal departments overseeing registration, recruitment, and conscription for both regular and reserve military service. Key reforms include a unified electronic recruitment system using a randomized algorithm to select recruits, a shortened national military service term with increased conscript remuneration, and a transition to a national conscript service model, replacing mandatory military service under Georgia’s new Defense Code, which takes effect on January 1, 2025.

Turkey Gifts Assault Rifles to Georgia’s Special Operations Command

On March 15, Türkiye’s Special Operations Command presented various types of assault rifles to Georgia’s Special Operations Command as part of ongoing military cooperation.

The ceremony was attended by Major General Zaza Chkhaidze, Deputy Commander of the Georgian Defense Forces, Colonel Teimuraz Klateishvili, Commander of Special Operations, Ambassador of Türkiye Ali Kaan Orbay, and Defense Attaché Colonel Ilhan Oktendural.

During the event, officials inspected the rifles and received detailed briefings on their technical and tactical specifications. They later visited the Special Operations Command’s shooting range, where they tested the newly delivered weapons. The transfer of sniper rifles underscores the longstanding and expanding defense cooperation between Georgia and Türkiye.