Azernews.Az

Azerbaijan and Israel have closed a weapons agreement worth hundreds of millions of dollars, according to reports that have yet to be confirmed by Baku.
According to agreements signed by the Israeli Defense Ministry and the government of Azerbaijan, which borders on Iran, Israel will sell the South Caucasus state ammunition, mortars and radio equipment, Israel`s Haaretz newspaper reports.
Predominantly Muslim Azerbaijan has increasingly been caught in a tug-of-war for influence between its large southern neighbor, Iran, and the secular, democratic West.
Rumblings of Shia political Islam have been particularly noticeable in the more conservative regions that border Iran, and the secular government has displayed concern over Iranian influence, the report said.
Israeli sources said the multi-million dollar sale of up-to-date weapons seeks to create a military balance in the region, noting Iran`s nuclear program poses a threat, not only to Israel but, also, to Azerbaijan.
A number of Israeli firms are involved in the weapons sale. Israel`s Soltam will sell mortars and ammunition to Azerbaijan, Israel Military Industries will sell rocket artillery and Tadiran Communications will sell radio equipment. No information is available about the quantity of arms to be purchased and the terms of their delivery.
The supplying of rocket launchers may imply upgrading the BM-21 Grad facilities, over 50 of which are available in Azerbaijan, and their being equipped with Israeli LAR rockets.
Also, Israeli companies have recently signed an arms purchasing agreement, worth tens of millions of dollars, with the Central Asian former Soviet republic of Kazakhstan.
Foreign news outlets have reported that the two countries maintain intelligence and security contacts. The bolstering of these ties has reportedly been achieved by Michael Ross, a former agent of Israel`s intelligence body, the Mossad. The Canadian-born Ross describes Iranian intelligence operations in Azerbaijan in a book he published last year. One report alleges that Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev`s security during his foreign visits is provided by the Mossad.
Aliyev has met with Israeli leaders in Baku, as well as at various international forums. He has voiced his desire for closer relations with Israel and has also spoken of threats that both countries face from Iran, the reports claim.
In an interview with local website www.Lent.az, Eldar Sabiroghlu, the Azerbaijan Defense Ministry spokesman, neither confirmed nor denied the signing of an arms contract with Israel. However, ongoing military and security cooperation between Azerbaijan and Israel is not news, with recent reports saying Azerbaijan had previously purchased intelligence drones from an Israeli company. Moreover, Israeli firms have reportedly supplied modern firing and sniper weapons to the special troops of Azerbaijan`s secret service, which, among other objectives, are safeguarding the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline, a strategic oil conduit pumping crude to world markets.
If the Haaretz newspaper story is accurate, Israel has moved forward in strengthening its positions in the South Caucasus region, which neighbors on Iran. Undoubtedly, Azerbaijan will boost its defense capabilities by buying weapons from Israel. At the same time, Israel will gain a powerful military ally in the volatile region. But it is also certain that news of a secret arms deal with Israel will rile Iran, and it is possible that Tehran will demand that Baku offer an explanation regarding the matter.
Officials note that Iran is extremely indignant over any cooperation by Azerbaijan with Israel. Azerbaijan, for many years, has avoided forging high-level political relations with Israel and refrained from opening an embassy in Tel Aviv due to the Iran factor.