Azerbaijani Armed Forces: Difference between revisions
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Azerbaijani Special Forces or Tigers is the special operations unit of the [[Azerbaijani Army]]. |
Azerbaijani Special Forces or Tigers<ref>[http://www.abovetopsecret.com/forum/thread424363/pg1 Abovetopsecret.com Azerbaijan special forces using U.S army ACU]</ref> is the special operations unit of the [[Azerbaijani Army]].<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdW7XYCsYVc&feature=channel_page YouTube.com Azerbaijani Army short show of "Tigers"]</ref> In 2001, Azerbaijan created the special forces unit which was established with cooperation with [[Turkish Navy]]. The training and organisation structure of the Tigers is similar to Turkish special forces, [[Su Altı Taarruz]] and [[United States|American]] Special Forces who have close training relationships with them.<ref>[http://yandunts.blogspot.com/2007/04/us-foreign-aid-turkeys-akhtamar-ploy.html U.S. foreign aid, Turkey's Akhtamar ploy, looking for intelligence in Azerbaijan]</ref> The first Tiger units were in [[Ganja, Azerbaijan|Ganja]] following a joint training program with Turkey. |
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==Air Forces== |
==Air Forces== |
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Revision as of 20:53, 6 July 2009
| Azerbaijani Armed Forces | |
|---|---|
| Azərbaycan Silahlı Qüvvələri | |
 Azerbaijan coat of arms | |
| Founded | 26 June 1918 |
| Service branches | Azerbaijani Army Azerbaijani Air Force Azerbaijani NavyAzerbaijani Air Defense |
| Headquarters | Baku |
| Leadership | |
| Commander-in-Chief | President Ilham Aliyev |
| Defence Minister | Colonel-General Safar Abiyev |
| Chief of Staff | Colonel-General Najmaddin Sadykhov |
| Personnel | |
| Military age | 18-35 years (Regular) |
| Conscription | 24 months |
| Available for military service | 2,278,888 males, age 18–49, 2,291,770 females, age 18–49 |
| Fit for military service | 1,727,464 males, age 18–49, 1,944,260 females, age 18–49 |
| Reaching military age annually | 90,416 males, 85,344 females |
| Active personnel | 126,000 |
| Reserve personnel | 575,000 |
| Deployed personnel |  Iraq - 150 Afghanistan - 95[1] |
| Expenditure | |
| Budget | $2.46 Billion (2009) (Ranked 50th) |
| Percent of GDP | 3.2% (2009) |
| Industry | |
| Domestic suppliers | Azerbaijan Defense Industry |
| Foreign suppliers |  Turkey United States Israel Ukraine Pakistan Belarus Russia |
| Related articles | |
| History | Azerbaijan Democratic Republic Military history of Azerbaijan |
The Azerbaijani Armed Forces were re-established according to the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan on the Armed Forces from October 9, 1991[2].
The armed forces have three branches: Land Forces, Air Forces with Air Defense Forces (a united branch) and the Navy. Associated forces include the Coast Guard and National Guard and can be involved in state defense when needed.
The military expenditures of Azerbaijan for 2009 are set at 2.46 billion USD.[3] The country's defense industry manufactures small arms, artillery systems, armors, noctovision devices, aviation bombs, pilotless vehicles etc.[4][5][6][7]
Overview
Since the fall of the Soviet Union, Azerbaijan has been trying to further develop its armed forces into a professional, well trained, and mobile military. Since 2005 Azerbaijan has increased its military budget to $2.46 billion in 2009.[8] Based on the 2008 statistics the country has about 126,000 active forces, with an additional National Guard of 575,000, in addition, the Azeri ground forces has 15,000 paramilitary troops. The military hardware of Azerbaijan consists out of over 600 Main Battle Tanks, 900 Armored Combat Vehicles and over 720 Artillery Systems. Its air force has over 220 aircraft and more than 75 helicopters.
In July 1992, Azerbaijan ratified the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE), which establishes comprehensive limits on key categories of conventional military equipment. The country approved the CFE flank agreement in May 1997. It also has acceded to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty as a non-nuclear weapons state. Azerbaijan also participates in NATO's Partnership for Peace.
Azerbaijan joined the Coalition of the Willing during Iraq War, and as of 2006, is protecting the northern parts of Iraq. One hundred soldiers were sent on December 29, 2004 to reinforce the 150 soldiers already in the country. They provide security for local Turkmen populations, religious sites and convoys.
History of Azerbaijan military
The history of the modern Azerbaijan army dates back to Azerbaijan Democratic Republic in 1918, when the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan Republic were created in June 26, 1918. First de facto Minister of Defense of ADR was Dr. Khosrov bey Sultanov. When the Ministry was formally established Gen. Samedbey Mehmandarov became the minister, and then Lt-Gen. Ali-Agha Shikhlinski his deputy. Chiefs of Staff of ADR Army were Lt-Gen. Mamedbey Sulkevich (March 1919 - 10 December 1919) and Maj-Gen. Abdulhamid bey Gaitabashi (10 December 1919 – April 1920).[9][10]
The Red Army invaded Azerbaijan on April 28, 1920. Although the bulk of the newly formed Azerbaijani army was engaged in putting down an Armenian revolt that had just broken out in Karabakh, the Azeris did not surrender their brief independence of 1918-20 quickly or easily. As many as 20,000 of the total 30,000 soldiers died resisting what was effectively a Russian reconquest.[11] The national Army of Azerbaijan was abolished by the Bolshevik government, 15 of the 21 army generals were executed by the Bolsheviks.[12]
In summer 1992, the Defense Ministry of Azerbaijan, following a resolution by the Azerbaijani president on the privatization of units and formations in Azerbaijani territory, forwarded an ultimatum demanding control over vehicles and armaments of the 135th and 139th motorized rifle regiments of the 295th Motor Rifle Division.[13]
Azerbaijan had been the deployment area of units of the Soviet 4th Army that consisted of four motorized rifle divisions (23rd, 60th, 296th and 75th) and prescribed army units that included missile and air defense brigades and artillery and rocket regiments. It also hosted the 49th arsenal of the Main Agency of Missiles and Artillery of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, which contained over 7,000 train-car loads of ammunition to the excess of one billion units. The transfer of the property of the 4th Army (except for part of the property of the 366th motorized rifle regiment of the 23rd division captured by Armenian armed formations in 1992 during the regiment's withdrawal from Stepanakert) and the 49th arsenal was completed in 1992. Thus, by the end of 1992, Azerbaijan received arms and military hardware sufficient for approximately four motorized rifle divisions with prescribed army units. It also inherited 50 combat aircraft from the disbanded 19th Air Defense Army and naval ships.
Army
Azerbaijan has been undergoing serious modernization and capacity expanding programs, the military budget alone increased from around $300 million in 2005 to $2.46 billion in 2009.[14] The Azerbaijani active forces number about 126,000 , with an additional National Guard of 575,000. In addition, the Azeri ground forces have 15,000 paramilitary troops. Azerbaijan has signed numerous contracts to strengthen its armed forces and to train its military with Turkey's assistance.
Azerbaijan has also implemented a new organizational style in order to modernize its army. Over the last 15 years, Azerbaijan has been preparing its military for possible action against Armenian forces in Nagorno-Karabakh. It is feared that Azerbaijan may attempt to retake Karabakh and the surrounding regions by military force because the last negotiations in France were a failure. Azerbaijan has continually stated that it is interested in a diplomatic and peaceful solution.
Special Forces
Azerbaijani Special Forces or Tigers[15] is the special operations unit of the Azerbaijani Army.[16] In 2001, Azerbaijan created the special forces unit which was established with cooperation with Turkish Navy. The training and organisation structure of the Tigers is similar to Turkish special forces, Su Altı Taarruz and American Special Forces who have close training relationships with them.[17] The first Tiger units were in Ganja following a joint training program with Turkey.
Air Forces
The Azerbaijani Air Force has over 220 aircraft and more than 75 helicopters. The country has 6 major military airports:
- Baku Kala Air Base
- Dollyar Air Base
- Kyurdamir Air Base
- Nasosnaya Air Base
- Ganja Air Base
- Nakhichevan Airport
There are USSR-made MiG-21, MiG-23, MiG-25, Su-24 and Su-25, as well as fourth generation of MiG-29 purchased from Ukraine in 2006 and Soviet-made Il-76 and military aircraft. Azerbaijan is holding talks with Pakistan to purchase JF-17 Thunder aircraft.[18]
The MiG-29 have been appointed as the standard aircraft for the AzAF.[19]
In June 2008, Azerbaijan acquired six Orbiter, six Aerostar and another three IAI Searcher unmanned aircraft produced by Israel’s Aeronautics Company. These aircraft were demonstrated for the first time during the military parade in Baku in 2008. According to the Israeli newspapers, Azerbaijan is holding the talks for purchasing Hermes and Heron-TP unmanned crafts.
The Air Force stockpiles L-29 and L-39 practice fighter jets produced in Czech Republic and Ukraine. The Azerbaijan Border Guard and Voluntary Society of Defense, Patriotism and Sport have Yakovlev light assault aircraft.
Training and education
Azerbaijani pilots are trained in the Azerbaijan Air Force School and then developing their skills in the military bases. Azerbaijan has an experience exchange with Turkey, Ukraine, the United States and number of NATO countries. Turkish Air Force School has a great role in the training of military pilots. The Azerbaijani pilots are also trained in the Ukraine’s Pilot Training School.[20]
Helicopter fleet
The helicopter fleet contains Soviet made Mi-24, Mi-8Mi-17 and Mi-6 helicopters. Last year Azerbaijan signed a deal with Russia to purchase Mi-171 helicopters. Alongside with the Azerbaijan Air Force, the Border Guard, Interior Guard and Ministry of Emergency Situations have their helicopter squadrons.
Helicopter fleet inventory of AzAF, note only confirmed types and amount are noted:[21]
- Mi-6 Heavy transport helicopter - 4
- Mi-8 Assault helicopter - 13
- Mi-24 Large helicopter gunship - 49
- Mi-17 Assault helicopter - 8
- Mi-171 Civil version of Mi-17, possibly a VIP helicopter - 8
Navy
The Azerbaijan Navy has about 5,000 personnel in twenty two units including the Caspian Flotilla and a Border Coast Guard. The navy has 7 patrol boats consisting out of; 2 - OSA-II-Class and 5 - Stenka-Class patrol boats. There are 7 minesweepers consisting out of; 2 - Sonya-Class and 5 - Yevgenya-Class minesweepers. There are 6 landing crafts, 2 landing cutters, 1 special purposes warship and 1 special purposes cutter.
Azerbaijan is also strategic ally of the U.S. in view of its maritime border with Iran in the Caspian Sea. In this regard, the U.S. Navy is involved in supporting the Azeri Navy, in the area of training. There is also an agreement to provide US support to refurbish Azeri warships in the Caspian sea. In 2006, the US Government donated 3 motorboats with the latest technology to the Azerbaijani navy. In 2007 an agreement between Azeri Navy and one of the US military companies was concluded, which stated that a part of the Azeri Navy would be equipped with advanced laser marksmanship device/system. The US company specialists were also to give training for the use of new equipment. As a comment on this Colonel Lieutenant Eldar Safarov said that the work on modernization of warships will continue.[22]
The US has also participated in joint naval exercises with the Azeri Army’s 641st Special Warfare Naval Unit, headquartered at the Azeri Naval Station outside Baku.[23]
Air Defense
The Azerbaijani Air Defense has about 3,500 personnel under service. There are some installations of the Cold War era left by the Soviets in 1990. The Gabala OTH Radar in Azerbaijan is the main early warning capability of the Azerbaijan Air Defense Force. The radar station has a range of up to 6,000 kilometres (3,728 mi), and was designed to detect missile launches as far as from the Indian Ocean.
The U.S. also provided Azerbaijani military with the latest radar technology in 2006. In the same year, plans were announced for the U.S. to modernize one radar station near the Iranian border at Lerik and another near the border with Georgia at Agstafa. Joint work has also commenced on two radar stations on the Russia-Azerbaijani border and Iran-Azerbaijani border to monitor Caspian Sea traffic.[24][25] In 2007 the U.S. and Russia showed great interests to make the Gabala Radar Station the main anti-missile defense shield for Europe.
Azerbaijan has also a wide missile system covering the Azeri Aerospace. The NATO designated SA-2 Guideline (original name S-75) has been installed in and around Baku and additional installations are near the border with Iran and Dagestan. Among them are the medium range SA-4, for short range SA-8 and the SA-13 mobile SAM vehicles. Azerbaijan also has a lot of lighter AA guns and shoulder launched SAMs.
Defense Industry
Azerbaijan Defense Industry (ADI) is the domestic military supplier of Azerbaijan, it was stablished in 2005. The Defense Industries Ministry is incorporated in the State Departments for Military Industry and for Armaments and the Military Science Center, each of which was formerly a separate agency within the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry.
The defense industry has emerged as an autonomous entity with a growing defense production capability. The ministry is cooperating with the defense sectors of Ukraine, Belarus and Pakistan.[26] The major military companies of Azerbaijan are:
- RPE Iglim, aviation and shipbuilding
- Radiogurashdirma, communication means and radio-electronic
- RPE Neftgazavtomat, devices and automation systems for monitoring technological processes
- RPE Automatic Lines, non-standard equipment and products for application in electrotechnical and machine engineering
- Avia-Agregat, multi-purpose aviation equipment, various airdrome conditioners, universal container of board conductor, air-to-air radiators, fuel-oil, air-to-air heat exchangers and ventilators [27]
The defense industry of Azerbaijan manufactures small arms, artillery systems, various military vehicles and military planes and helicopters.[28][29][30]
Azerbaijan’s National Mine Action Authority
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Azerbaijan’s National Mine Action Authority (ANAMA) is the official mine-cleaning organization of Azerbaijan. In October 9, 2006 ANAMA confirmed that 36,861,337 sq. meters of area had been cleared from mines and unexploded ordinances and 70 334 UXO have been neutralized. 194 100 sq. meters of area were cleared in mechanical way. The operation took place in 2006; about 25 Dutch trained dogs (each worth $100,000), 156 sappers, 47 UXO operators, 8 paramedics, some 100 assistants and 4 mine detecting vehicles were used in the clearance operations.
ANAMA reports 81 mine explosions have left 51 persons dead and 116 wounded since September, 2001.
International cooperation
Turkey
Turkey has supported the Azerbaijani military by providing training to Azerbaijani military personnel and delivering military equipment and armaments. Due to help from Turkish specialists and instructors, thousands of Azerbaijani officers were trained according to western standards and some have even gained field experience by taking part in special-forces operations.
Turkey has provided Azerbaijan with infantry weapons, tactical vehicles (jeeps, trucks, etc.) professional training, military organization, technology transfer, licenced military hardware production and other services.[31]
The military position as international importance of Azerbaijan increased with agreement between Azerbaijan and Turkey on the participation an Azerbaijani peacekeeping platoon in the staff of Turkish battalion in Kosovo.[32]
Since 1992 Azerbaijan and Turkey have signed more then 100 military protocols, some of the major protocols include:[33]
- Cooperation of staff members
- National security cooperation in the topographical area
- Forming and training of profession school of forces kind of Baku
- Carrying out of the material and technical purchasing
- Military industry cooperation
- Development of Nakhchivan 5th army
- Cooperation in the area of military history, military archives and museum work and military publication
- Assistance on training, material and technical between Azerbaijani Border Guard and Turkish Armed Forces.
- Long-term economical and military cooperation and application of the financial aid
- Application of material and technical provision
United States
Section 907 of the United States Freedom Support Act bans any kind of direct United States aid to the Azerbaijani government. This ban makes Azerbaijan the only exception to the countries of the former Soviet Union, to receive direct aid from United States government under the Freedom Support Act to facilitate economic and political stability.[34] The Act was strongly lobbied for by the Armenian American community in the U.S.[35], and was passed in response to Azerbaijan's blockade of Armenia, however no measures were taken against Armenia regarding its occuapation of some 20% of Azerbaijani territory.
In spite of the Freedom Support Act, the United States remains one of the closest allies of Azerbaijan. It has been reported that of all of the former Soviet states, Azerbaijan is the best ally of the United States.[36]
In 1999 the U.S. donated several vehicles, mine-detecting dogs, mine clearing robots and financial aid to ANAMA (Azerbaijan’s National Mine Action Authority).[37]
The U.S. also provided Azerbaijani Navy with the latest radar technology and 3 navy boats in 2006. In the same year the U.S. modernized one radar station near the Iranian border at Lerik and another near the border with Georgia at Agstafa. Joint work has also commenced on two radar stations on the Russia-Azerbaijani border and Iran-Azerbaijani border to monitor Caspian Sea traffic.[38][39]
On May 19, 2006 Azerbaijani Defense Minister Safar Abiyev and Commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe Tom Hobbins met in Baku to discuss military cooperation. General Hobbins said that the main reason for the lack of peace and stability in South Caucasus was the Armenia-Azerbaijan Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh conflict. He stated that "Armenia’s destructive policies and its non-constructive stance in the negotiations have been the main reason for the ongoing instability. Armenia keeps 20% of Azerbaijani land under occupation".[40]
Hobbins pointed to the progress made in the NATO-Azerbaijan relations, saying that the successful implementation of the NATO Partnership for Peace program in Azerbaijan has brought the country even closer to the alliance. He said the objective of his visit was to become familiar with the state of Azerbaijani armed forces. He expressed that the two countries' air forces will expand cooperation.[41]
Israel
Azerbaijan and Israel cooperate on numerous areas of the defense industry. Azerbaijan has shown great interest in Israeli technology over the years. In particular, an agreement was reached over the construction of the factory of intelligence and combat drones in Azerbaijan.[42]
The Israeli defense company Elta Systems Ltd cooperates with Azerbaijan in the field TecSAR reconnaissance satellite, which ranks among the world's most advanced space systems.[43] According to Azerbaijani military experts, this is an indispensable system for military operations in the mountainous terrains of Azerbaijan. [44]
Israel and Azerbaijan are negotiating on the production of Namer vehicles in Azerbaijan, which is a heavily armoured heavyweight infantry fighting vehicle based on the Israeli Merkava Mark IV tank. Namer was developed by and is being assembled by the Israeli Ordnance Corps. [45]
Azerbaijani Special Forces are standard equipped with Tavor 21.[46]
NATO
NATO and Azerbaijan actively cooperate on democratic, institutional and defence reforms, and have developed practical cooperation in many other areas. Azerbaijan’s Individual Partnership Action Plan (IPAP) and Partnership for Peace (PfP) lay out the programme of cooperation between Azerbaijan and NATO.
Azerbaijan is seeking to achieve Euro-Atlantic standards and to draw closer to Euro-Atlantic institutions. Consequently, support to security sector reform and democratic institution building are key elements of NATO-Azerbaijan cooperation.[47]
Beyond the focus on reform, another important area of cooperation is the country’s support for NATO-led operations. Azerbaijan currently contributes peacekeepers the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan. In the past, it also actively supported the peacekeeping operation in Kosovo and Iraq.
In June 5, 2006 the U.S. Departments of Defense and Homeland Security and the Federal Bureau of Investigation held a training program for about 100 representatives of Azerbaijan Ministry for Emergencies, Republican Prosecutor's Office, Defense Ministry and other law-enforcement bodies. The objective of the training was to enhance Azerbaijan's ability to prevent the spread of weapon of mass destruction and related materials. According to a U.S. Embassy official, the program was organized as part of U.S. efforts to help Azerbaijan implement its NATO IPAP, specifically to strengthen Azerbaijan's ability to control its land and sea borders: "This training is being implemented within the frame of International struggle against spread of weapons of mass destruction. It is a good case that Azerbaijan is our active partner in struggle against spread of weapons of mass destruction".[48][49]
See also
References
- ^ Azerbaijan sends two more platoons to Afghanistan
- ^ official web page of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan
- ^ "Gov`t allots over $2bn for 2009 defense spending". AzerNEWS. 2008-11-12. Retrieved 2008-11-12.
- ^ "Azerbaijan manufacturing arms".
- ^ "Azerbaijan to manufacture its own aircraft and helicopters".
- ^ "Azerbaijan will produce competitive tanks, aircraft and helicopters in the future".
- ^ "Azerbaijan to produce tanks, aviation bombs and pilotless vehicles in 2009".
- ^ Military budget reaches $2 billion
- ^ Azerbaijani Army marks 91 years
- ^ Today.Az - Azerbaijan marks Day of Armed Forces
- ^ Hugh Pope, "Sons of the conquerors: the rise of the Turkic world", New York: The Overlook Press, 2006, p. 116, ISBN 1-58567-804-X
- ^ Azerbaijani Army marks 91 years
- ^ Vladimir Petrov, How South Caucasus was armed, Centre for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies (Moscow, Russia)
- ^ Military budget reaches $2 billion
- ^ Abovetopsecret.com Azerbaijan special forces using U.S army ACU
- ^ YouTube.com Azerbaijani Army short show of "Tigers"
- ^ U.S. foreign aid, Turkey's Akhtamar ploy, looking for intelligence in Azerbaijan
- ^ Azerbaijan to buy JF-17 multirole fighters from Pakistan
- ^ Azerbaijan shows 4th generation MiG-29 multirole fighter jets.
- ^ Azerbaijan’s military aviation opportunities
- ^ Azerbaijan’s military aviation opportunities - INVESTIGATION
- ^ Azeri Navy to be equipped with marksmanship system lasers
- ^ US trains and modernizes Azerbaijani Navy
- ^ Azerbaijan & U.S. joint installations
- ^ U.S. radars in Azerbaijan
- ^ Azerbaijan Defense Industry
- ^ Aircraft Repair Plant of Azerbaijan to be reconstructed
- ^ Azerbaijan manufacturing arms
- ^ Azerbaijan to manufacture its own aircraft and helicopters
- ^ AAzerbaijan will produce competitive tanks, aircraft and helicopters in the future
- ^ Azerbaijani troops part of the KFOR family
- ^ List of the military documents signed between the Republic of Turkey and Republic of Azerbaijan
- ^ Military Relations between Azerbaijan and Turkey List of the military documents signed between the Republic of Turkey and Republic of Azerbaijan
- ^ [U.S Public Law No: 102-511]
- ^ ANCA press relase
- ^ Azerbaijan becomes best ally of U.S. of former Soviet states
- ^ U.S. Military programe in Azerbaijan
- ^ Advanced radars in Azerbaijan
- ^ Azerbaijan & U.S. cooperate on radars
- ^ NATO & Azerbaijan relations
- ^ U.S. & Azerbaijani Air Force cooperation
- ^ PanARMENIAN.Net Israel rearms Azerbaijani army
- ^ Ninan Koshy, "India and Israel Eye Iran", Foreign Policy in Focus, 13 February 2008.
- ^ PanARMENIAN.Net Israel rearms Azerbaijani army
- ^ PanARMENIAN.Net Israel rearms Azerbaijani army
- ^ "Tavors in Azerbaijan". 2008-06-26. Retrieved 2009-04-01.
- ^ NATO’s relations with Azerbaijan
- ^ Partnership for Peace training
- ^ Military doctrine to be adopted
This article incorporates public domain material from The World Factbook. CIA.- This article incorporates public domain material from U.S. Bilateral Relations Fact Sheets. United States Department of State.
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