The regional military exercise “Birlestik-2024” of four Central Asian countries and Azerbaijan held in Kazakhstan's Mangystau Region in the coastal area of the Caspian Sea ended on July 17.
Military contingents from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan took part in the international operational-tactical command-staff exercise at the Oymasha training ground and in a sea area, which is two kilometers from Cape Tokmak.
The exercises focused on enhancing regional cooperation and interoperability among the participating countries' military forces, improving readiness and capabilities through joint operations, including ground and air reconnaissance, naval special forces, artillery, assault and tank units, aviation, and naval vessels.
The personnel of all types of troops involved in the drills, carried out exercises on the destruction of illegal armed groups using the methods of modern battle, according to Azerbaijan’s defense ministry website.
The exercises, which were held from July 8 to 17, involved nearly 4,000 servicemen and 700 units of military equipment. The drills highlighted the deepening military cooperation among Central Asian nations and underscored Azerbaijan's participation in fostering regional security within the Organization of Turkic States (OTS).
During the drills, parachute descent and search-rescue service of the Azerbaijan Air Force evacuated the personnel of the “crashed” combat helicopter from the battlefield. The troops also executed tasks aimed at neutralizing illegal armed groups under conditions of limited visibility, testing their ability to operate effectively in challenging environments, demonstrating their adaptability and high level of professionalism.
Using a combination of maps and videoconference technology, allowing for an in-depth analysis of the strategies and outcomes, the military officials reviewed comprehensive reports on the activities and operations conducted during the exercise.
At the closing ceremony of the drills, the defense ministers of the participating states positively evaluated the course of the exercise, the ability of the participants to effectively use modern combat equipment and means and the professionalism of the military personnel.
By simulating various combat scenarios and enhancing tactical skills, the "Birlestik-2024" exercise contributed to regional security and the collective defense capabilities of the countries involved, fostering collaboration and interoperability among the participating nations, according to the defense ministry.
Azerbaijan was represented by a group of servicemen of commando units of Land Forces, parachute descent and search-rescue service and Su-25 aircraft of the Air Force, as well as patrol and descent ships of the Navy. During the exercise, this aircraft executed day and night flights along designated routes, performing challenging piloting manoeuvres and combat exercises at various altitudes as outlined in the exercise plan.
Azerbaijani military pilots completed tasks involving air reconnaissance, pinpointing coordinates of simulated enemy ground targets, and effectively neutralizing them with precision strikes, according to the report.
During his trip to Kazakhstan on July 16 at the invitation of Kazakh Defence Minister Col-Gen Ruslan Zhaksylykov, Azerbaijani Defense Minister Col-Gen Zakir Hasanov, along with his delegation, visited one of the warships, the diving center of the Kazakh Navy, inspected small and large-caliber weapons, and reviewed technical equipment.
In January 2024, Zhaksylykov announced large-scale military exercises involving Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan as part of Kazakhstan's combat training program for the year. In April, the defense ministers of these five countries convened in Aktau to outline the details of the command and staff exercises, and signed a joint plan, underscoring the commitment of these nations to regional security and cooperation.
The military exercises signify a deepening of military ties among the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) members, driven by the need for collective security and regional stability. The Azerbaijani army, ranked 59 globally by Global Fire Power, has become a model for other OTS nations seeking to enhance their military proficiency.