Last update: February 13, 2025 02:01

Newsroom logo

Azerbaijan Marks Armed Forces Day, Unveils New Military Aircraft

By Gunay Hajiyeva June 26, 2024

None

The "C-27J Spartan" military transportation aircraft at the Heydar Aliyev International Airport, Baku, Azerbaijan, June 26, 2024 / President.Az

On Wednesday, the Azerbaijan Air Force received a "C-27J Spartan" military transport aircraft from Italy's "Leonardo" company. The presentation took place on the Armed Forces Day, marking the 106th anniversary of the Azerbaijani army.

The unveiling ceremony at the Heydar Aliyev International Airport in Baku was attended by President Ilham Aliyev, Italy's Defense Minister Guido Crosetto, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy Edmondo Cirielli, and Chairman of "Leonardo" company Stefano Pontecorvo.

President Aliyev was informed about the aircraft's tactical and technical specifications, its deployment capabilities, and its ability to perform both defense and civil defense missions in challenging geographic and operational conditions.

The Azerbaijan Defense Ministry stated that the "C-27J Spartan" will be used for military transport, airdrops of paratroopers and cargo, and conducting medical missions.

Widely recognized as the most effective multi-role military transport aircraft in its size class, the "C-27J Spartan" features new avionics and aerodynamic developments for greater efficiency and improved operating performance. The system architecture guarantees interoperability with other transport aircraft and can be easily integrated with in-flight refueling, self-protection, secure communications, and ballistic protection, allowing the aircraft to operate in high-threat environments, transporting materials, light vehicles, and personnel to wherever they are needed.

The "C-27J Spartan" boasts the largest cargo compartment in its category, capable of supporting about five tons per square meter and adjustable in height and inclination for easy loading and unloading, as well as short take-off and landing on snowy, sandy, and unprepared runways.

The addition of the "C-27J Spartan" to the Azerbaijan Air Force is part of ongoing efforts to modernize the national army, which celebrates its 106th anniversary on June 26, a public holiday established by former President Heydar Aliyev in 1998.

The Armed Forces of Azerbaijan were established in 1918 when the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (ADR) was founded after the fall of the Russian Empire. The newborn republic needed an army that would safeguard the country and its borders against external threats. The national army was established after ADR’s adoption of the Declaration of Independence, which ushered in a short-lived but independent state, calling and identifying armed forces as one of the pillars of national statehood.

On June 26, 1918, the ADR, considered the first democratic republic in the entire Muslim world, announced the creation of the national armed forces. Around 25,000 soldiers were recruited, and the government allocated 24 percent of the state budget for military purposes. By August 1 of the same year, the newly established Military Ministry took over the armed forces. The first solemn parade of the national army took place in 1919.

In April 1920, the ADR was occupied by the Bolshevik forces, and Azerbaijan was later incorporated into the Soviet Union. After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Azerbaijan formed its independent national army once again.

The modern armed forces of the Republic of Azerbaijan comprise the Land Forces, the Air and Air Defense Forces, and the Navy. The National Guard, the State Border Service, and the Internal Troops of Azerbaijan are considered associated forces.

Global Firepower (GFP), a website that provides data on and ranks national militaries around the world, ranks the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan as the strongest in the South Caucasus region, which also includes Georgia and Armenia. In its 2024 data, GFP identifies Azerbaijan as the world’s 59th strongest military among 145 countries worldwide, while it ranks Georgia and Armenia at 84 and 102, respectively.

Based on Global Firepower’s publicly available data, Azerbaijan's total military personnel consists of over 126,000 active personnel, 15,000 paramilitary forces, and 300,000 reserve personnel. Its weapons systems and arsenal include 144 aircraft, 920 tanks, 29,312 vehicles, and 24 navy vessels. Modern assault and sniper rifles, machine guns, pistols, grenade launchers, anti-tank missiles, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) of domestic production and procured from countries such as Israel, Russia, Türkiye, the U.S., Germany, and China are all stored in the arsenal of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces.