Large-scale military exercises start in Azerbaijan

New large-scale tactical night military exercises are being held in Azerbaijan, the press service of the defense ministry said.

The defense minister, Colonel-General Zakir Hasanov, visited region where the night exercises are being held in accordance with the order of Azerbaijani President, Supreme Commander-In-Chief of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces, Ilham Aliyev. He has reviewed military units and military hardware deployed in the field and tested their readiness, Trend reports.

Military expert Uzeir Jafarov told Vestnik Kavkaza that these exercises are included in the overall schedule of maintaining the combat readiness of the Azerbaijani army. According to him, the exercises are not directed against anyone else. "You shouldn't reach far-reaching conclusions. It is calculated that the army must complete the task if it will be commanded by the supreme commander in the near future. At the same time, we should not think that Azerbaijan will continue to tolerate the status quo. The status quo should be changed, and I am confident that after the first European Games Azerbaijan will take all possible measures to ensure respect for its territorial integrity," the expert believes.

Jafarov stressed that the leadership of Azerbaijan attaches great importance to the maintenance of the army on alert. "Azerbaijan occupies a leading position in recent years due to the fact that the country updates its pool of military equipment. You know that we bought Russian Mi-35 military helicopters, as well as T-90 tanks and the anti-aircraft missile system S-300 'Favorit'," he concluded.

Large-scale tactical exercises of Azerbaijani Armed Forces with the involvement of all types of troops began on April 5. The training will last until April 10. The exercise will involve a 15-strong contingent, 200 pieces of equipment, more than 300 rockets and artillery pieces, 12 helicopters, 8 combat aircraft and air defense units and air defense compounds, Interfax-Azerbaijan reports.