Turkish, Azerbaijani, Georgian ministers watch winter drills in Kars PHOTO/VIDEO

The largest Winter exercises - 2023 in Türkiye's history are still underway in the country's eastern province of Kars.

Turkish National Defence Minister Hulusi Akar, Azerbaijani Defence Minister Zakir Hasanov, Georgian Defence Minister Juansher Burchuladze, as well as the Turkish Armed Forces commanders observed the course of the exercises at the training ground, Anadolu reports.

Servicemen from 17 countries, including Germany, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and the United Kingdom, are taking part in the exercises.

The staff officers informed Hulusi Akar and his accompanying guests about the scenario and the course of the drills, the participants of which spent last night in the cold at temperatures below 19 degrees.

Speaking at a briefing, Akar stressed the importance of joint steps aimed at ensuring peace and stability in the region and the world as a whole.

"Winter exercises-2023 have been successfully completed. These exercises demonstrate the level of the Turkish army. I am proud that the exercises were successfully conducted in such conditions. This showed how the Turkish army is ready to fight under any conditions. Congratulations to the friendly and fraternal countries that participated in the exercises," he said.

He stressed the importance of military exercises: "Our goal is not war, but the protection of the interests and security of our country. The scale of our exercises is growing."

The ministers and the Turkish Armed Forces commanders inspected the service facilities, including a mobile bakery and a field kitchen.

Akar treated his accompanying guests to bread and soup prepared in the field.

After the inspection, the main part of the exercises planned as part of the Open Day began.

Onlar karadaki her dağın zirvesi!

Mehmetçik Kış Tatbikatı'nda hedefleri başarıyla imha ediyor.#KışTatbikatı2023 pic.twitter.com/l3WuHs480K

— T.C. Millî Savunma Bakanlığı (@tcsavunma) February 2, 2023

#Canlı: Milli Savunma Bakanı Akar, Kars’ta düzenlenen Kış Tatbikatı 2023'ün "Seçkin Gözlemci Günü"nde açıklamalarda bulunuyor https://t.co/yhhYMHl1zU

— AA Canlı (@AACanli) February 2, 2023