Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan plot course for "Khazri-2025" naval drills

Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan are charting a joint course toward stronger maritime cooperation with the upcoming "Khazri-2025" tactical naval exercises.

As part of a defense partnership between the two Caspian neighbors, senior naval officials gathered this week for a planning conference to lay the groundwork for the major drills.

The meeting brought together high-ranking delegations led by Captain 1st Rank Kanat Niyazbekov, First Deputy Commander of the Kazakh Naval Forces and Chief of the General Staff, and Captain 1st Rank Teymur Murshudov, First Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff of the Azerbaijani Navy.

The conference culminated in the signing of a final protocol, officially confirming that the exercises will be held in Kazakhstan’s sector of the Caspian Sea.

"Khazri-2025" is designed to elevate operational readiness and foster deep interoperability between the two countries’ naval forces. The drills will feature joint maneuvers involving warships and personnel from both navies, as part of a broader push to build shared expertise and strategic trust.

The Ministry emphasized that beyond training, the initiative aims to strengthen regional maritime security and serve as a platform for exchanging best practices in naval operations.

With the Caspian Sea as their shared theater, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan are setting the stage for closer collaboration and smoother sailing ahead.

By Tamilla Hasanova