Azerbaijan's armed forces fund raises over $54 mln
By Aynur Jafarova
The amount of funds accumulated in the Azerbaijan Armed Forces Assistance Fund significantly increased and as of July 1, 2013 amounted to 42,674,317 manats (over $54 million), $208,791 and 593 euros, the Defense Ministry said.
As of April 1, the figures were 39,017,597 manats, $205,791 and 593 euros.
Azerbaijan Armed Forces Assistance Fund was established under the decree issued by the President of Azerbaijan on August 17, 2002. The aims of the fund are to drive the development of Azerbaijan's armed forces, to strengthen the logistics and to improve social protection of servicemen.
The manager of the armed forces fund is the Azerbaijani President.
The fund, which is based in Azerbaijan's capital Baku, is financed by donations of private individuals and legal entities operating in Azerbaijan, and legal revenues which are not prohibited by Azerbaijani laws.
Azerbaijan is bolstering its military power year-on-year and the fourth military parade held in Baku on June 26 since Azerbaijan gained independence in 1991 is evidence of this trend.
Over 5,000 personnel of various military units of armed forces, more than 300 units of military equipment and weapons systems, more than 100 combat aircraft and helicopters and over 40 warships were involved in the military parade dedicated to the 95th anniversary of the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan.
The military equipment produced in Azerbaijan was demonstrated at this parade for the first time.
Navy ships, as well as MI-17 military helicopters, L-39, MIQ-29, SU-25 attack aircraft, MI-24 and KA-32 helicopter groups and MI-35M attack helicopters were used in the parade.
The defense capability of the country is also strengthening. The Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense Industry has created a new post-patrol Gurza machine, equipped with two 7.62 mm caliber weapons, one 12.7 mm caliber machine gun, a new 7.62 x 51mm caliber sniper rifle meeting NATO standards, and a machine gun designed for use in special military operations.
Furthermore, a new reconnaissance vehicle has been produced. This machine is equipped with a 23 mm caliber canon, a 7.62 mm caliber twin machine gun mount, an AQ-17 grenade launcher and other military equipment.
Machine guns, mortar launchers, Zafar-K pistols, AK-74M submachine guns, battle and signal bullets, hand grenades, anti-tank and anti-personnel mines, firearms, and spare parts for armored vehicles are among the goods produced and delivered to the customers.
Attending international defense exhibitions is another good trend in Azerbaijan. Gurza patrol vehicles, 7.62 х 54 millimeter Gurza machine guns, 7.62 х 51 millimeter Yalguzag sniper rifles, 7.62 х 54 millimeter attack machine guns of HP-7.62 type, Aerostar and Orbiter unmanned drones were exhibited at the IDEF-2013 international exhibition in Istanbul in May 2013.
The Azerbaijani armed forces are highly disciplined, powerful, equipped with modern military machinery, always ready to defend the country and capable of resolving any problem. The Azerbaijani army is the most powerful army in the South Caucasus region.