by Elmira Tariverdiyeva, Baku. Exclusively for VK
Iran is unhappy again, this time over affairs of Baku that have nothing in relation to Tehran. Azerbaijani Ambassador to Iran Javanshir Akhundov was summoned to the Iranian Foreign Ministry on Tuesday, IRNA reports. He met Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Arakchi and requested explanations to media reports stating that Azerbaijan plans to purchase Israeli military equipment worth over $1.5 billion.
Azerbaijan has become a new client of Israeli defense concern Aviation Industry (TAA), striking the biggest deal in its history, Intelligence Online reports. According to media, negotiations with the new client lasted for over 2 years, under personal supervision of Director General of the concern Itskhan Nisan. Associated Press said that information was confirmed by high-ranking officials of the Israeli Defense Ministry. Israeli media reported that the contract will be fulfilled in four years. The concern will provide missiles, including sea-sea type, and drones. Azerbaijan will establish the Khets anti-missile systems with Oren Yarok radars, systems to gather information and other equipment on the border with Iran. Moreover, Azerbaijan will send a major delegation of consultants and technical specialists.
Cooperation of Azerbaijan and Israel has been successful for a long period. Baku is concerned over its military potential. But it does not mean that Azerbaijan would be friends with states in opposition to others. The policy of Baku is not targeting any states, however, 20% of Azerbaijani territory is occupied, the state wants to restore territorial unity, sovereignty and has the right for that, spokesman of the Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elman Abdullayev said, commenting on summoning of the Azerbaijani ambassador to the Iranian Foreign Ministry.
Baku is unlikely to allow itself to be involved in a conflict with a third state. Although Iran has accused Azerbaijan of using its territory at a base area for Israeli intelligence services. Tehran’s implacable position is one of the reasons why Azerbaijan has not opened an embassy in Israel yet. Israel and Azerbaijan cooperate on many points, they have common political and economic interests. Azerbaijan and other developing states of the region are interested in receiving high technologies and building own weapon industry, developing Armed Forces and security enforcement, basing on modern standards with the help of Israel.
Israel demonstrates readiness to develop relations with other Muslims states to contribute to the Middle East. Azerbaijani-Israeli military cooperation progresses regardless of the situation around Iran or any other third state. Cooperation started with the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Azerbaijan has requested many other states to sell military equipment and Israel is far not the only state fulfilling the demand.
The main suppliers of weapons for Azerbaijan in 2003 and 2008 were as follows: Ukraine - $364 million, Russia - $128 million, Georgia - $108 million. The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIRPI) said that Azerbaijan increased military expenses by 554% in 1998-2007, they doubled in 2006, compared with the year before, and totaled $625 million. Azerbaijani military budget in 2011 totaled about $2.8-3 billion.
Major purchases of military equipment in Israel was inspired by its testing in battles. Azerbaijan started producing Israeli Aerostar and Orbiter drones in spring 2011, Baku purchased some of them earlier. The contract on construction of the factory in Azerbaijan was signed with Israeli Aeronautics in June 2009, during the visit of Israeli President Shimon Peres. Azad Systems, a joint venture of the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry and Aeronautics Defense Systems (Israel), is producing drones. Israel advised Azerbaijan to purchase Heron and Searcher scouting drones from Israel Aerospace Industries.
In late December 2011, the Azerbaijani Ministry for Defense Industry said in late December 2011 that 60 Aerostar and Orbiter-2M drones would be purchased by the late 2012. IAI Concern opened the Academy of Drone Operators in January, where Israeli military will undergo training. Foreign military, including Azerbaijani servicemen, will undergo training as well.
The Azerbaijani parliament approved the budget project for 2012 in late October 2011, with increased military expenses. 14.8% of all expenses in 2012 will be spent on the Armed Forces. About 3 billion euro will be spent. It exceeds the sum in 2011 by about 2%. A third of the sum will be spent on modernization of military equipment.
