Azerbaijan army launches intellectual capabilities units for high-tech military future

In a significant move to modernise its military, the Azerbaijan Army has established Intellectual Capabilities Units, as part of ongoing reforms spearheaded by President Ilham Aliyev.

The Ministry of Defence is rolling out a new concept of military service aimed at effectively utilising the knowledge and skills of exceptionally talented youth, while also promoting their career development, Caliber.Az reports via Defence Ministry.

Under this innovative training and internship programme, highly intelligent conscripts will serve under specialised conditions within units affiliated with the National Defence University. This initiative seeks to involve these individuals in various projects and activities aligned with their qualifications after they complete the foundational training programme for new recruits.

Conscripts eligible for the Intellectual Capabilities Units must have achieved a score of 600 or higher on the entrance exam conducted by the State Examination Centre. They will also include winners of competitions outlined in the "Rules for the Admission of Winners of International and Republican Subject Olympiads, International Competitions, and Contests to Higher Education Institutions Without Examinations," as approved by Decision № 229 of the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan dated 20 May 2019.

Additionally, graduates of undergraduate or master's programmes from foreign universities ranked 500th or higher in international standings, such as the Times Higher Education World University Rankings or the Academic Ranking of World Universities Shanghai, will also be considered for this programme.

Among the conscripts in this category, those with qualifications in information technology are expected to significantly enhance digital capabilities and foster new opportunities within the Army.

Recognising the importance of developing human capital equipped with the necessary skills to implement modern technologies and methodologies, the Azerbaijani authorities aim to ensure that these particularly talented young people gain valuable work experience in their professional fields during their military service.

By Aghakazim Guliyev