Azerbaijan defence chief reviews military police unit ahead of NATO evaluation PHOTO/VIDEO

Azerbaijan’s Defence Minister, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, has reviewed the activities and combat readiness of a Military Police unit ahead of a NATO interoperability evaluation scheduled for October 2026.

Hasanov inspected the forward operating base (FOB) of the Operational Capabilities Concept (OCC) Company of the Military Police Department, the Azerbaijani Defence Ministry said, Caliber.Az reports.

Major General Elgun Aliyev, Deputy Chief of the Main Department of Internal Security and Investigations and Chief of the Military Police Department, briefed Hasanov on the unit’s activities, the organisation of troop service and conditions at the base.

The ministry said activities at the OCC base had been aligned with relevant NATO standards and were aimed at ensuring interoperability in peacekeeping operations.

The Azerbaijani defence leadership inspected the unit’s facilities, including barracks, sports and firing ranges, and training centres for engineering, reconnaissance and driver training. Military equipment was also reviewed.

Hasanov subsequently monitored preparations for the Self-Evaluation Level 1 (SEL-1) exercise, which will be conducted under NATO’s Operational Capability Concept Evaluation and Feedback Programme (OCC E&F) in October 2026.

The defence minister issued directives to further strengthen personnel readiness and improve logistical support and service members’ social and living conditions.

The visit concluded with awards presented to a group of distinguished military personnel and the planting of commemorative trees at the base.

By Sabina Mammadli