The military parade is being held in Baku's Azadlig square on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Azerbaijani Armed Forces.
About 4,000 servicemen from the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry, the Interior Ministry, the Emergency Situations Ministry, the State Security Service, the State Border Service, the State Security Service, as well as a delegation from the Turkish Armed Forces, are taking part in the military parade.
More than 240 pieces of military equipment, over 70 aircraft, including the recently acquired and the most advanced military equipment – armored vehicles, missile and artillery systems, air defense systems, helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles are demonstrated at the parade.
Nearly 100 delegates from Turkey, Pakistan, Belarus, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Georgia, Iran, Israel, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia and Ukraine will take part as guests in the parade.
The parade is attended by President of Azerbaijan, Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ilham Aliyev, First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva, officials, MPs, ambassadors of foreign countries, military attachés, employees of the international organizations, heads of delegations visited Azerbaijan on the event of anniversary, veterans and citizens.
Azerbaijan's Minister of Defense, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov reported to Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ilham Aliyev.
Head of State, Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ilham Aliyev greeted military personnel.
Special Exemplary Military Orchestra of the Ministry of Defence played national anthem of Azerbaijan,
Head of State, Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ilham Aliyev made speech at the parade. He stressed that army building is one of the main tasks. "The war has not ended yet, only first stage has ended. Our goal is to restore the territorial integrity of the country," the correspondent of Vestnik Kavkaza cited President Aliyev as saying.
The president noted that there was a problem in APF-Musavat authority and Armenia occupied our lands taking advantage of this opportunity. "According to the international law, Nagorno Karabakh is the land of Azerbaijan. UN and other international organizations adopted decisions and resolutions about this issue. UN SC four resolutions show that Armenia must leave the occupied lands. These resolutions are still valid," he stressed.
Ilham Aliyev said that Khojaly genocide was committed against Azerbaijani people. "More than 600 men, children, women have been killed, over 1,000 people went missing. 10 countries officially recognized Khojaly genocide. Azerbaijan will never reconcile with the occupation and will restore its territorial integrity," he stressed,
"We had to form a strong army and we did it. Today, Azerbaijan’s army is among the strongest armies in the world. For strong army, it’s needed a strong economy. There was no country developing in economy like Azerbaijan during past 15 years. Our economy increased by 3.2-fold. We don’t receive aid from anyone and live on own our account. We direct our funds to the tasks lying ahead of us. Army building holds main place among these tasks. Military expenditures have increased by 15 times since 2003’.
Supreme Commander-in-Chief noted that tens of military towns were built in the recent years: ‘80% of military towns have been rebuilt and repaired. All military towns will be repaired during next 2-3 years. Military servicemen with 20-year experience are given apartments. More than 20,000 civil citizens are working in military units," he added.
He added that modern equipment and various types of weapons are produced in Azerbaijan. "We purchased military patrol ships, air defence systems, tens of combat aircraft, more than a hundred military transport helicopters, the most advanced reconnaissance and combat unmanned aerial vehicles, artillery systems, long-range missiles, rocket launcher systems, operational and tactical missile systems. These increase our military power. We are doing all this to make the army stronger," Ilham Aliyev said.
"Therefore, we are pursuing such a policy, and this is the right policy. Having established effective relations with friendly countries, we acquired the most advanced weapons. Azerbaijan will continue to acquire the most advanced types of weapons and equipment. To achieve this goal, we have the necessary links with friendly countries and financial resources," the head of state noted.
