Editing Azerbaijani Armed Forces (section)

== Structure ==

=== Command ===
{{Main|Minister of Defense (Azerbaijan)|General Staff of Azerbaijani Armed Forces}}
Since the fall of the Soviet Union, there have been attempts in the defence ministry to reform the military to be more in line with the Turkish/NATO model, resulting in Soviet-legacy officers such as [[Rovshan Akbarov]] and [[Najmeddin Sadikov]] being removed from power.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Azerbaijan national hero, lieutenant general arrested on 20-year-old murder charges {{!}} Eurasianet|url=https://eurasianet.org/azerbaijan-national-hero-lieutenant-general-arrested-on-20-year-old-murder-charges|access-date=2021-03-28|website=eurasianet.org|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-03-19|title=Azerbaijani 'hero general' arrested over 2001 murder|url=https://oc-media.org/azerbaijani-hero-general-arrested-over-2001-murder/|access-date=2021-03-28|website=[[OC Media]]|language=en-US}}</ref>

Azerbaijan periodically holds drills to improve interaction and combat coordination between the servicemen during operations, its military personnel's combat readiness, as well as to develop commanders' military decision-making and unit management skills.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-07-13 |title=Azerbaijani army's mechanized units hold practical training drills to boost combat readiness [VIDEO] |url=https://www.azernews.az/nation/196681.html |access-date=2022-07-24 |website=Azernews.Az |language=en}}</ref>

===Land Forces===
[[File:Azeri "Smerch", parade in Baku, 2013.JPG|right|thumb|Azerbaijan has a dozen 300mm salvo rocket systems 9A52 "Smerch" with a range of 70-{{convert|90|km|2|abbr=on}}.]]
The [[Azerbaijani Land Forces]] number 85,000 strong, according to UK [[Advanced Research and Assessment Group]] estimates.<ref name=Blandy12 /> The 2,500 men of the National Guard are also part of the ground forces. In addition, there are 300,000 former service personnel who have had military service in the last 15 years.<ref name="IISS157"/> Other paramilitary agencies consist of Interior Ministry [[Internal Troops of Azerbaijan]], 12,000 strong, and the land component of the [[State Border Service of Azerbaijan|State Border Service]], 5,000 strong.<ref name=Blandy12 />

Azerbaijan has signed numerous contracts to strengthen its armed forces and to train its military with Turkey's assistance. Over the last 15 years, Azerbaijan has been preparing its military for possible action against Armenian forces in [[Nagorno-Karabakh]].[[File:Azerbaijan Army 2007 OrBat.png|thumb|[[Azerbaijani Army]] order of battle]]
The Land Forces consist of five army corps:<ref name=Blandy12 />
*[[1st Army Corps (Azerbaijan)|1st Army Corps]] also known as [[Barda, Azerbaijan|Barda]] Army Corps (concentrated near [[Ganja, Azerbaijan|Ganja]])
*[[2nd Army Corps (Azerbaijan)|2nd Army Corps]] also known as Beylagan Army Corps (concentrated against [[Armenian-occupied territories surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh|Armenian occupied territories]] and part is deployed on the Azerbaijan-Iranian border)
*[[3rd Army Corps (Azerbaijan)|3rd Army Corps]] also known as Shamkir Army Corps (concentrated against Armenian occupied territories)
*[[4th Army Corps (Azerbaijan)|4th Army Corps]] also known as Baku Army Corps (covers [[Absheron Peninsula]] and the coast)
*[[Nakhchivan Separate Combined Arms Army]] (deployed in [[Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic|Nakhchivan]])

The Land Forces include 23 motor rifle brigades, an artillery brigade, a multiple rocket launcher brigade, and an anti-tank regiment.<ref name=Blandy12 /> The IISS Military Balance reported in 2007 that the Land Forces had an estimated 40 SA-13 Gopher, SA-4 Ganef, and SA-8 Gecko air defence missile systems, with '80–240 eff.' to support the army in the battlefield. (IISS 2007, p.&nbsp;157)

The [[peacekeeping forces of Azerbaijan]] are mostly supplied from the Land Forces, though the [[Internal Troops of Azerbaijan]] do also supply some. As of March 2011, 94 peacekeepers were deployed with the [[International Security Assistance Force]] (ISAF) in Afghanistan.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.isaf.nato.int/images/stories/File/Placemats/PLACEMAT.MARCH%2004..pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2011-04-13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110406003726/http://www.isaf.nato.int/images/stories/File/Placemats/PLACEMAT.MARCH%2004..pdf |archive-date=6 April 2011}}</ref> In the past, it also actively supported the peacekeeping operation in Kosovo and Iraq.

The Azerbaijani [[Peacekeeping forces of Azerbaijan|peacekeeping unit]] deployed in Iraq consisted of 14 officers, 16 sergeants and 120 privates, a total of 150 troops. The unit secured the [[hydroelectric power station]] and reservoir in [[Haditha, Iraq|Al Haditha]] from August 2003. In December 2008, Azerbaijan withdrew the unit from Iraq.

Reportedly in December 2014 Azerbaijan created the Separate Combined Arms Army in Nakhchivan. [[Karam Mustafayev]] became commander of the corps. The army was created based on the Nakhchivan 5th Army Corps to strengthen defense capability of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, increase of combat capability of military units and formations of the Armed Forces, improve central control, reports quoting the Defence Ministry said.

===Air forces===
The [[Azerbaijani Air and Air Defence Force]] is a single unified service branch.<ref name=JSSA-MT>Jane's Sentinel Security Assessments – Russia and the CIS: Air Force, dated 18 June 2009, and {{cite journal |year=2008 |title=World Defence Almanac |journal=Military Technology |volume= XXXII |issue= 1 |pages=244–245|publisher=Monch Publishing Group |location=Bonn, Germany |issn=0722-3226}}</ref> Some 8,000 men serve in the air force and air defence force.<ref name=Blandy12 /> The Air and Air Defence Force has around 106 aircraft and 35 helicopters.<ref name="IISS158" /> The country has four major airbases. [[Nasosnaya (air base)]] has fighters, [[Kyurdamir Air Base]] a bomber regiment, [[Ganja Air Base]] transports, and [[Baku Kala Air Base]] the helicopter unit. There are also four other airbases which do not appear to have aircraft based there. These are [[Dollyar Air Base]], [[Nakhchivan Airport]], [[Sanqacal]] Air Base, and [[Sitalcay]] Air Base.

The Azerbaijani Air Force using [[MiG-21]], [[Su-24]] and [[Su-25]] aircraft, as well as the [[MiG-29]] purchased from Ukraine in 2006 and [[Il-76]] transport aircraft. The MiG-29 have been designated as the standard aircraft for the AzAF.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.today.az/news/politics/38475.html|title=Azerbaijan shows MIG-29 fighter jets|access-date=3 April 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929094243/http://www.today.az/news/politics/38475.html|archive-date=29 September 2007|url-status=live}}</ref> Azerbaijan is holding talks with either the People's Republic of China or Pakistan to purchase [[JF-17]] Thunder aircraft.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.am/eng/news/8954.html|title=China supplies FC-1 multipurpose fighters to Azerbaijan|website=news.am|access-date=28 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402124131/http://news.am/eng/news/8954.html|archive-date=2 April 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[MiG-25]]s previously in service have been retired seemingly in the 2007–09 period.

Azerbaijan's helicopter force is concentrated at [[Baku Kala Air Base]] and according to the IISS consists of a single regiment with around 14–15 Mi-24, 12–13 Mi-8 and 7 Mi-2. [[Jane's Information Group]] and the IISS give figures which agree with only a single aircraft's difference.<ref>[http://www8.brinkster.com/vad777/sng/azerb/azerb.htm] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928131441/http://www8.brinkster.com/vad777/sng/azerb/azerb.htm|date=28 September 2011}}</ref> Recently, end of 2010 Russian Rosvertol announced that Azerbaijan armed forces signed a deal for 24 pieces of Mi-35M (Hind-E) gunships what would further enhance the Azerbaijani ground attack formations.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/Azerbaijan-Orders-24-Mi-35M-Helicopter-Gunships-06789/|title=Azerbaijan Orders 24 Mi-35M Helicopter Gunships|access-date=25 March 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110305072531/http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/Azerbaijan-Orders-24-Mi-35M-Helicopter-Gunships-06789/|archive-date=5 March 2011|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.helihub.com/2011/02/25/azerbaijan-buys-24-mi-35m-attack-helicopters/|title=HeliHub.com Azerbaijan buys 24 Mi-35M attack helicopters|website=www.helihub.com|access-date=25 March 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722041858/http://www.helihub.com/2011/02/25/azerbaijan-buys-24-mi-35m-attack-helicopters/|archive-date=22 July 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The Air Force has [[Aero L-39 Albatros|L-39]] advanced training aircraft in store. The [[State Border Service of Azerbaijan|Azerbaijan Border Guard]] and Voluntary Society of Defense, Patriotism and Sport have [[Yakovlev]] light training aircraft.
[[File:Military parade in Baku on an Army Day32.jpg|thumb|S-300 PMU2 during a military parade in Baku 2011]]
Azerbaijan has missile and radar systems intended to defend Azerbaijani airspace. There are at least 2 divisions of [[S-300 (missile)|S-300]]PMU2.<ref name="azers300">{{cite web|url=http://www.historyoftruth.com/news/latest/7654-russian-defense-ministry-confirms-readiness-to-sell-s-300-to-azerbaijan|title=HistoryofTruth.com - Armenian Allegations|access-date=2 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120611052059/http://www.historyoftruth.com/news/latest/7654-russian-defense-ministry-confirms-readiness-to-sell-s-300-to-azerbaijan|archive-date=11 June 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> Thereby the country has one of the most capable SAM [[surface-to-air missile]] system in the region.<ref name="IMINT & Analysis">{{Cite web|url=https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8JEdtKWzL0WNjcyOTMzMGQtNjgxNi00NTgwLThkNTEtODcxY2NkOGJhNWM1/view?usp=embed_facebook|title=V1N7 August 2011.pdf|website=Google Docs}}</ref><ref name="eurasianet s300">{{cite web|url=http://www.eurasianet.org/node/64085|title=Russia's Credibility And Its Military Sales To Azerbaijan|access-date=23 August 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110919064745/http://www.eurasianet.org/node/64085|archive-date=19 September 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> Azerbaijan also operates two S-200 (SA-5 GAMMON) batteries near Baku and Mingachevir; the S-300PMU-2 represents a logical replacement for these systems offering coverage of the majority of the nation.<ref name="eurasianet s300" /> The country also has about 100 NATO designated [[SA-2]] Guideline (original name S-75), [[SA-3 Goa]] (S-125 Pechora-2M), and the [[S-200 Angara/Vega/Dubna|SA-5 Gammon]] (S-200) are in static installations.<ref>[[IISS]] Military Balance 2007, p.&nbsp;158</ref> These may be around Baku and the central part to cover the whole Azerbaijani aerospace.

However, August 2011 investigations shows that after purchase of [[S-300 (missile)|S-300]] [[surface-to-air missile]]s, the largest apparent gap in Azerbaijan's air defense system may have been filled.<ref>{{cite web|last=Kuchera|first=Joshua|title=Analysis: Azerbaijan, Karabakh Well-Protected Against Air Attack; Armenia Less So|url=http://www.eurasianet.org/node/63989|publisher=Eurasia.net|access-date=4 August 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110807124709/http://www.eurasianet.org/node/63989|archive-date=7 August 2011|url-status=live}}</ref>

Also in Azerbaijan there was a former Soviet early warning radar. The [[Gabala Radar Station]] was a bistatic phased-array installation, operated by the [[Russian Space Forces]]. The contract was signed in 2002 and was due to expire in 2012 where it was to be given back to the Azerbaijani government. The contract costed Russia $7&nbsp;million per year. The radar station had a range of up to {{convert|6000|km|mi|abbr=off}}, and was designed to detect [[intercontinental ballistic missile]] launches as far as from the Indian Ocean. In December 2012 Russia announced that negotiations had been unsuccessful and that they had stopped using the radar station.<ref name="rbth">{{cite news
| url = http://rbth.ru/news/2013/01/23/russias_decision_to_close_down_gabala_radar_station_is_final_-_lavrov_pa_22129.html
| title = Russia's decision to close down Gabala radar station is final - Lavrov
| access-date = 2013-04-14
| date = 2013-01-23
| newspaper = Russia Beyond the Headlines
| archive-date = 4 February 2021
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210204055838/https://www.rbth.com/news/2013/01/23/russias_decision_to_close_down_gabala_radar_station_is_final_-_lavrov_pa_22129.html
| url-status = live
}}</ref> The site was given back to [[Azerbaijan]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ng.ru/news/445507.html|title=Габалинская РЛС теперь находится под контролем азербайджанских военных|website=www.ng.ru|access-date=28 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151231191654/http://www.ng.ru/news/445507.html|archive-date=31 December 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> and all the equipment dismantled and transported to [[Russia]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ng.ru/columnist/2013-10-09/4_gabala.html|title=Габалу завлекают в турбизнес|access-date=28 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131010054839/http://www.ng.ru/columnist/2013-10-09/4_gabala.html|archive-date=10 October 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> Nowadays, Russia covers the area from the [[Armavir Radar Station]].

===Navy===
The main naval base of the Soviet Union in the Caspian Sea was based in Baku. When the Soviet Union collapsed, Azerbaijan inherited the naval base and parts of the [[Caspian Sea Flotilla]].<ref name="nvo.ng">{{cite web |url=http://nvo.ng.ru/forces/2007-08-31/3_nato.html |title=В фарватере НАТО |author=Константин Чуприн |date=31 August 2007 |publisher=NVO NG |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120112135754/http://nvo.ng.ru/forces/2007-08-31/3_nato.html |archive-date=12 January 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Azerbaijan Navy]] has about 2,200 personnel.<ref>[[Jane's Fighting Ships]], 2010, accessed February 2010. IISS 2007 attributes 2,000 personnel.</ref> In 2010, the navy had a [[Petya-class frigate|Petya class]] light frigate, ''Qusar'' (G 121), and a number of [[patrol craft]], including one Turk class, ''Araz,'' P 223, one Brya (Project 722) class, P 218, one Shelon (Project 1388M) class, P 212, one Poluchat class (Project 368), P 219, one Luga class (Project 888), T 710, and four Petrushka (Polish UK-3 class), P 213, P 214, P 215, and P 216. There are four [[minesweeper (ship)|minesweeper]]s consisting of 2 [[Sonya class minesweeper]] and 2 [[Yevgenya class minesweeper]]s. (Jane's Fighting Ships 2010)

The Navy is also attributed with 5 [[landing craft]], 3 Polnochny and 2 Vydra (IISS 2007), plus three research ships, 1 Project 10470, A 671, ex Svyaga, 1 Balerian Uryvayev class survey vessel (AG) and one Vadim Popov class survey vessel (AG).

The U.S. Navy has helped train the Azerbaijani Navy. There is also an agreement to provide US support to refurbish Azerbaijani warships in the [[Caspian Sea]]. In 2006, the US Government donated 3 motorboats to the Azerbaijani Navy. In 2007, an agreement between the Azerbaijani Navy and a US military company was concluded, which stated that a part of the Azerbaijani Navy would be equipped with advanced laser marksmanship systems. The US company specialists were also to give training on the use of the new equipment.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.today.az/news/politics/40483.html|title=Azerbaijan Navy to be equipped with laser devices|access-date=4 May 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929111534/http://www.today.az/news/politics/40483.html|archive-date=29 September 2007|url-status=live}}</ref> A number of separate U.S. programmes are underway under the [[Caspian Guard Initiative]], focused mostly on enhancing Azerbaijani and Kazakh maritime border security.

In May 2011, the president of the [[State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic]] [[Rovnag Abdullayev]] stated that Azerbaijan would start production of national warships after 2013.<ref>{{cite web|title=Azerbaijan to produce warships |url=http://en.apa.az/news.php?id=146812 |access-date=9 May 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111120063342/http://en.apa.az/news.php?id=146812 |archive-date=20 November 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Azerbaijan to produce ships|url=http://www.news.az/articles/economy/33686|access-date=9 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110410163713/http://news.az/articles/economy/33686|archive-date=10 April 2011|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Naval Intelligence of Azerbaijan maintains the [[641st Special Warfare Naval Unit]]. The special forces were trained by the [[U.S. Navy SEALs]]<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://archive.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=26294 |title=Navy Special Ops Demos Training in Azerbaijan |author=Donna Miles |date=10 June 2004 |work=American Forces Press Service |publisher=U.S. Department of Defense |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170930014831/http://archive.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=26294 |archive-date=30 September 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Unit 641 has several [[midget submarine]]s such as Triton-1M and Triton 2 at their disposal as well as underwater tool motion for individual divers. The special unit is composed of 3 reconnaissance groups, 2 groups for mountainous warfare, and one diving group. Obligatory training includes parachute jumping day and night, on land and on water.<ref name="nvo.ng" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://specnazopedia.narod.ru/spnazerbai.html |title=Спецподразделения Азербайджана |date=14 March 2010 |publisher=Specnazopedia.Narod |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425063530/http://specnazopedia.narod.ru/spnazerbai.html |archive-date=25 April 2012 }}</ref>

===Special forces===
The [[Special Forces of Azerbaijan]] are part of the Ministry of Defence. It was established in April 1999 with officers and warrant officers who had participated in the [[First Nagorno-Karabakh War]] of 1991–1994.<ref name="Azvision">{{Cite journal|date=April 2019|title=Xüsusi Təyinatlı Qüvvələrin 20 ili|url=https://azvision.az/news/177000/xususi-teyinatli-quvvelerin-20-ili--fotolar+video--.html|language=az|edition=Azvision|quote=30}}</ref> The Turkish [[Special Forces Command (Turkey)|Special Forces Command]] played a role in the formation of the unit. During the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh War, personnel of the Special Forces reclaimed the city of [[Jebrayil]] and nine surrounding villages from the [[Armenian Army]]. On November 8, Aliyev congratulated the commander of the Special Forces on their "liberation of Shusha".<ref>{{cite web|title=Release of the Press Service of the President|url=https://en.president.az/articles/45757|access-date=16 February 2021|website=president.az|language=az}}</ref> The war was considered to be first time Azerbaijan has actively used all of its special forces units.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/technology-tactics-and-turkish-advice-lead-azerbaijan-to-victory-in-nagorno-karabakh/30949158.html|title = Technology, Tactics, and Turkish Advice Lead Azerbaijan to Victory in Nagorno-Karabakh}}</ref>[[File:Members of the Azerbaijani Special Forces during a military parade in Baku 2011.png|thumb|Members of the Azerbaijani Special Forces during a military parade in Baku 2011]]