Azerbaijani defence minister emphasizes military readiness amid rising border tensions

Azerbaijan’s Minister of Defence, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov has affirmed the Army’s military readiness amid rising border tensions as he held an official meeting via video teleconference, which brought together Deputy Ministers, Commanders of various branches of the military, Chiefs of Main Departments, and Heads of the National Defence University, along with other key officials in Azerbaijan's defence sector.

The session began with a moment of silence for the national leader of the Azerbaijani people, Heydar Aliyev, and the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the independence, territorial integrity, and sovereignty of Azerbaijan, Caliber.Az reports via Azerbaijan’s Defence ministry.

In his remarks, Colonel General Hasanov emphasized that the development of the Azerbaijan Army remains a top priority, as outlined by President Ilham Aliyev. He reiterated the ongoing tasks to enhance the service and combat readiness of military units, stressing the importance of improving combat capabilities under the directives set by the Supreme Commander-in-Chief.

The Minister of Defence highlighted the Army's exemplary performance during the 44-day Patriotic War and subsequent military operations, noting that the historic victory had paved the way for future peace negotiations. Hasanov praised the professionalism of the Azerbaijan Army and stressed that the Supreme Commander-in-Chief had set more demanding tasks to further enhance the Army’s capabilities.

The meeting also addressed the current operational situation along the Azerbaijani-Armenian conditional border. This included the recent shelling of Azerbaijan Army units by the opposing side, as well as attempts to conduct reconnaissance flights over Azerbaijan’s positions using unmanned aerial vehicles and drones. Colonel General Hasanov assigned specific tasks to officials to ensure that the Azerbaijan Army remains prepared to respond swiftly to any provocation and emphasized the importance of heightened vigilance in organizing combat duty.

The discussion also reviewed the positive outcomes of recent reforms within the Azerbaijan Army, alongside the measures implemented and planned for the current year. Emphasizing the need to continue improving the combat capabilities of the troops, the Minister of Defence directed that military exercises should maintain high intensity while integrating modern combat experiences and technological advancements.

Further instructions were issued regarding the integration of cybersecurity measures to protect modern information technology tools, as well as the need to prioritize staffing with qualified personnel. The Ministry also discussed new methods for enhancing accessibility within the military education system, focusing on the satisfaction of citizens and the comprehensive training of personnel.

The meeting placed significant emphasis on improving the knowledge and skills of reservists and ensuring the proper use of newly adopted weapons and equipment. Additionally, Colonel General Hasanov addressed the need for continued improvements in the social and living conditions of military personnel, especially those deployed in challenging environments. He also reiterated the importance of ensuring quality nutrition and strict adherence to safety regulations.

The Minister also provided instructions regarding the study of new soldiers' personal and psychological characteristics, emphasizing the importance of their adaptation process and health monitoring. He underscored the significance of regular educational events for military personnel and the necessity of compliance with all regulatory requirements.

The meeting concluded with discussions on the provision of seasonal supplies and the preparation of weapons and equipment for the spring-summer operating mode. The importance of ongoing engineering works in the liberated territories was also highlighted, ensuring adherence to safety regulations.

In his closing remarks, Colonel General Hasanov expressed his full confidence in the Azerbaijan Army’s ability to continuously justify the trust placed in it by the Supreme Commander-in-Chief. He assured that the Army would remain steadfast in fulfilling its duties and commitments in the future.

By Vafa Guliyeva