Azerbaijan, Iran forge stronger military bonds with successful Araz-2024 exercise PHOTO

The Araz-2024 joint tactical exercise between the special forces of the Azerbaijan Army's Land Forces and the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (Sepah) Ground Forces has concluded near the Aslanduz settlement in the Ardabil province of Iran.

During the primary phase of the exercise, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) were deployed throughout the region to detect the locations, movement patterns, and training activities of simulated illegal armed groups, the Azerbaijani Defence Ministry told Caliber.Az.

At the same time, operations focused on radio-electronic warfare and radio-electronic reconnaissance were conducted. The positions of the imaginary enemy, identified through these measures, were effectively neutralized using precise artillery fire and UAVs.

Additionally, tasks focused on neutralizing enemy manpower were executed with high precision by the military personnel involved in the exercise.

The overall conduct of the exercise, as well as the professionalism demonstrated by the servicemen, were highly commended. At the end of the exercise, a group of outstanding personnel were recognized and awarded for their exemplary performance.

The drills took place in the challenging, high-altitude terrain. These exercises were the result of previous discussions between senior military officials from both Azerbaijan and Iran.

It should be added that on November 19, a delegation from Azerbaijan's Ministry of Defence visited Tehran to attend a meeting of the Joint Commission on Military and Military-Technical Cooperation between Azerbaijan's Ministry of Defence and the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Iran, according to Azerbaijan's Ministry of Defence. During this visit, Major General Farid Aliyev, Acting Chief of the Main Department of Military-Technical Supply and head of the Azerbaijani delegation, held a bilateral meeting with Brigadier General Mohammadreza Ashtiani, First Deputy Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces.

The discussions between the officials focused on the current state and future prospects of military cooperation between the two countries, with both sides sharing views on key areas of mutual interest. Following these talks, the Joint Commission held a session to discuss the ongoing collaboration between the two countries’ military institutions. The discussions also explored potential new areas for cooperation and how to expand future military-technical partnerships.

The meeting concluded with the signing of a protocol, outlining the agreed-upon areas of cooperation and setting the stage for future collaboration between Azerbaijan and Iran.

By Tamilla Hasanova