Azerbaijan, UAE prepare for Peace Shield-2026 joint drills VIDEO

Preparations have started in Abu Dhabi for the joint operational-tactical military exercise Peace Shield-2026, set to involve personnel from the armed forces of Azerbaijan and the United Arab Emirates.

Participating personnel were provided with a comprehensive briefing detailing the objectives, operational scenario, area of deployment, phased action plans, and specific tasks to be executed during the exercises, Caliber.Az reports, citing Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Defence.

The drills are designed to take place across diverse environments, including urban settings, mountainous terrain, and maritime zones. Key operations will include the detection and neutralization of illegal armed groups in mountainous areas, the recovery of a hijacked vessel, neutralization of terrorist elements, hostage rescue, medical evacuation of the wounded, prevention of urban unrest and sabotage threatening public safety, and firefighting procedures.

The exercises are intended to enhance interoperability, operational readiness, and rapid-response capabilities between the two militaries, reflecting a growing strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and the UAE.

Peace Shield-2026 is scheduled to be conducted on February 2–3, marking a significant step in bilateral defence cooperation.

By Vafa Guliyeva