Azernews.Az

By Laman Ismayilova

Azerbaijan's Armed Forces have today started operational-tactical exercises, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry reported.

The military exercises involving about 25,000 military personnel, more than 300 tanks and armored vehicles, 100 rockets and artillery units, up to 40 units of military aircraft and more than 30 air defense systems will run till June 24. Moreover, Navy ships and special units will also participate in the exercises.

The training takes place in the polygons on the frontline area and Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. Furthermore, the Navy Forces will practice in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea.

The main objectives of the exercise is improving of commanding skills over military units and subjects, increasing the level of operational coordination and cooperation between combat elements in complex military environment.

New technological tools and weapons of Azerbaijani Armed Forces will be widely used during the exercise days, also live firing will be performed.

Azerbaijan’s armed forces are continually modernized and equipped with newest and strongest weaponry as the revenue of Azerbaijan increases.

Azerbaijan's military expenditure has developed rapidly in recent years, and in a short time, the military budget has increased more than 20 times.

The development of the military is under special focus in Azerbaijan, a country that remains in a state of war with Armenia.

Armenia occupied over 20 percent of Azerbaijan's internationally recognized territory, including Nagorno-Karabakh and seven adjacent regions, after laying territorial claims against its South Caucasus neighbor that had caused a lengthy war in the early 1990s.

The UN Security Council has adopted four resolutions on Armenia's withdrawal from the Azerbaijani territory, but they have not been enforced to this day.

---

Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Lam_Ismayilova

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz