Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan to hold Caspian Breeze – 2025 naval drills in Aktau PHOTO

Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan are set to hold joint naval exercises titled Caspian Breeze – 2025 in the Kazakh sector of the Caspian Sea near the port city of Aktau, according to a statement by Kazakhstan’s Defence Ministry, cited by Caliber.Az.

The announcement follows a planning meeting between senior naval officials—Captain 1st Rank Kanat Niyazbekov, First Deputy Chief of the Main Staff of the Naval Forces of Kazakhstan, and Captain 1st Rank Teymur Murshudov, Chief of Staff of the Azerbaijani Naval Forces. During the negotiations, both sides discussed and approved the main parameters of the upcoming drills.

Upon the arrival of the Azerbaijani naval contingent, the joint staff will finalize the exercise plan and conduct scenario simulations on navigational maps.

The active phase of Caspian Breeze – 2025 will focus on combat operations, including ship deployment in designated areas and joint maneuvers during sea transit. Naval personnel will be tasked with responding to asymmetric threats, conducting search and rescue missions involving aircraft and vessels in distress, and engaging in live-fire exercises against simulated sea and air targets.

“The exercises will cover a wide range of tasks aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of cooperation and strengthening relations between the naval forces of our countries,” stated Captain Niyazbekov, who also serves as Chief of the Main Staff and First Deputy Commander of Kazakhstan’s Naval Forces.

The drills will involve personnel from coastal units and naval base ships of both countries. Azerbaijan is expected to deploy two patrol ships, an auxiliary vessel, and associated coastal units to the exercise.

By Khagan Isayev