Azerbaijan, Türkiye to hold joint electronic warfare exercises

Azerbaijan and Türkiye are set to conduct joint military exercises focusing on electronic warfare, according to a statement from the Turkish Ministry of National Defence.

Speaking at a weekly press briefing, ministry spokesperson Zeki Aktürk announced that the exercises will begin on May 26 in the central Turkish city of Konya and will run for four days, Caliber.Az reports per local media.

Preparations for the drills are also taking place in the same location.

Electronic warfare involves the strategic use of radio emissions, such as jamming signals, to disrupt, deceive or disable an adversary's command, control, communications, and intelligence systems.

It also encompasses efforts to protect one's systems from similar interference and to alter the conditions through which radio waves propagate.

The drills are part of broader defence cooperation between Baku and Ankara, which maintain close military ties.

Electronic warfare (EW) exercises are critical training operations designed to prepare military forces for battles in today’s technology-driven environment. These exercises simulate real-world scenarios where electronic systems—such as radar, communications, and navigation tools—can be disrupted, intercepted, or manipulated by adversaries.

EW involves the use of electromagnetic spectrum to detect, deceive, or disable enemy equipment while protecting one’s own forces. Modern militaries conduct electronic warfare exercises to test and improve their ability to operate in contested electromagnetic environments.

These drills often include jamming enemy radar signals, intercepting communications, and deploying countermeasures to avoid detection.

Such exercises have grown in importance due to the rising reliance on electronic systems in warfare. For example, drones, missile guidance, and battlefield communications depend heavily on secure and reliable electronic signals. Disrupting these systems can significantly weaken an opponent’s operational capability without direct physical confrontation.

Countries including the United States, China, Russia, and NATO members regularly carry out EW exercises to stay ahead of evolving threats. These training operations often involve multiple branches of the military, such as air force, navy, and cyber units, working together to simulate complex electronic attack and defence scenarios.

By Aghakazim Guliyev