Armenia

Body Of 24-Year-Old Russian Serviceman Found In Gyumri 

The body of a 24-year-old serviceman from the 102nd Russian military base in Armenia was found near an unfinished building in Gyumri on July 24. Police and patrol officers found the man’s body, which had stab wounds on the hands, at Bulvarayin Alley, 1. The cause of death has not yet been determined, and an investigation is underway.

Azerbaijan

Azerbaijani Defense Minister Leads Delegation To Türkiye For IDEF 2025 

On July 22, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, the Minister of Defense of Azerbaijan, led a delegation to Türkiye to attend the 17th International Defence Industry Fair (IDEF 2025) at the invitation of Yaşar Güler, the Turkish Minister of National Defense. Minister Hasanov and the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry leadership attended the fair's opening ceremony in Istanbul, which was addressed by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The visit included an inspection of military weapons and equipment displayed at the fair and several high-level meetings.

On the same day, Minister Hasanov met with his Turkish counterpart, Yaşar Güler, to discuss the current status and future prospects of bilateral cooperation in military affairs, military-technical fields, and military education. Both ministers highlighted the special importance of IDEF 2025 in strengthening their strategic cooperation and held a detailed exchange of views on regional security and other mutual interests. The meeting culminated in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Strengthening Mutual Military Security.

On July 23, the Azerbaijani delegation continued its visit, with Minister Hasanov meeting Haluk Görgün, President of the Secretariat of Defense Industries under the Presidency of Türkiye. This meeting emphasized the priority of expanding Azerbaijani-Turkish military cooperation based on their friendship, brotherhood, and strategic alliance. The delegation also thoroughly inspected weapons and military vehicles from leading global defense companies and met with their management to discuss military-technical cooperation and future development prospects. Several agreements were signed with the participation of Agil Gurbanov, Deputy Minister of Defense, alongside representatives from MIRAS Military-Industrial Company LLC and Azersilah Defence Industry Holding CJSC.

Zakir Hasanov Meets Pakistani General 

During his visit to Türkiye for IDEF 2025, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov met with General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, on July 23. Both officials noted that relations between Azerbaijan and Pakistan are built on mutual trust, cooperation, and shared cultural values. They reviewed the current state of military cooperation and discussed efforts to further strengthen their ties, including new prospects for the development of bilateral military relations.

Azerbaijan And Italy Strengthen Military Cooperation During Official Visit 

On July 23, Colonel General Karim Valiyev, First Deputy Minister of Defense and Chief of the General Staff of the Azerbaijan Army, met with a delegation led by General Luciano Portolano, Chief of Defence of the Italian Armed Forces, during the general's official visit to Azerbaijan. The Italian delegation visited the Alley of Shehids to pay respects, laying flowers at the graves of martyrs and at the Eternal Flame monument. An official welcoming ceremony at the General Staff included a review of the guard of honor and the playing of both national anthems. Colonel General Valiyev expressed satisfaction with the visit, highlighting that such engagements foster a mutual exchange of experience. General Portolano thanked his hosts for their hospitality and noted the positive impact of the current cooperation on the progress of both armies.

The Italian delegation was later briefed at the Cybersecurity Center on activities ensuring the security of modern weapon systems and IT equipment, including AI-powered tools. The delegation also toured the Air Force Combat Control Center, where they received information on its structure and operations. At a Special Forces military unit, the delegation was briefed on the unit's history and observed combat training exercises performed by its members.

On July 24, Defense Minister Zakir Hasanov met with General Portolano. Minister Hasanov praised the current state of Azerbaijani-Italian military cooperation and stressed the importance of developing relations further. General Portolano emphasized that reciprocal visits and enhanced military cooperation will improve the capabilities of both armies. The meeting, also attended by the Italian Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Luca Di Gianfrancesco, covered military, military-technical, and military educational cooperation, as well as regional security.

Azerbaijan And Bulgaria Hold Expert Meeting On Aviation Maintenance 

An expert meeting on "Technical Maintenance of Aviation Vehicles" took place on July 24 as part of a 2025 bilateral cooperation plan between the air forces of Azerbaijan and Bulgaria. After a briefing on aviation security, representatives held comprehensive discussions on various matters of mutual interest. The event was highlighted as important for promoting the mutual exchange of experience.

Local Exercise 

On July 25, the helicopter units of the Azerbaijan Air Force conducted training flights. Prior to the flights, the theoretical knowledge of the personnel was assessed, and pilots were briefed on flight conditions and safety regulations, followed by an inspection of the helicopters. The helicopters performed takeoff and landing maneuvers, conducted aerial reconnaissance, and completed other assigned tasks along designated routes. The military pilots successfully accomplished all tasks, demonstrating a high level of professionalism.

Georgia

Paata Patiashvili Joins Online Rammstein Meeting On Ukraine Defense Aid 

Paata Patiashvili, the First Deputy Minister of Defense of Georgia, participated in the 29th online meeting of the Rammstein format Ukraine Defense Contact Group on July 21. The meeting was chaired by the UK Secretary of State for Defense, John Hill, and the German Defense Minister, Boris Pistorius. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte also addressed the attendees. Members of the international group discussed the ongoing war in Ukraine, a new military aid initiative, and other urgent support needs. The session was attended by heads of defense agencies and senior officials from NATO member and partner countries.

Joint US-Turkish Airborne Operation Marks Start Of Agile Spirit 2025 

The twelfth multinational military exercise, Agile Spirit 2025, officially opened in Georgia on July 25 at the NATO-Georgia Joint Training and Evaluation Center (JTEC) in Krtsanisi. Paata Patiashvili, First Deputy Minister of Defense of Georgia; Major General Irakli Chichinadze, Deputy Commander of the Defense Forces; and Brigadier General Terry Tillis of the US 7th Army Training Command, addressed the participants, emphasizing the importance of international exercises. The exercise is jointly led by Brigadier General Koba Grigolia, Commander of the Georgian Defense Forces West, and Colonel William Cox of the US Georgia National Guard.

Agile Spirit 2025 is being conducted in two countries, Georgia and Turkey, to enhance regional cooperation. The exercises commenced on July 21 near Adana province in Turkey with a joint US-Turkish airborne operation. In addition to the host nations and the US, military personnel from eight other countries are participating, along with two multinational units. The exercise aims to improve the readiness, interoperability, and operational capabilities of the participating forces.

On July 26, American military vehicles for the exercise arrived at the port of Poti from Constanta, Romania, via ferry. The equipment was unloaded and moved to the 2nd Infantry Brigade in Senaki before traveling in a convoy with Georgian armored vehicles to Vaziani. The tactical convoy included US highly mobile multi-purpose armored vehicles and Georgian-made "Didgori" and "Cobra" armored vehicles. The multinational exercise will officially conclude on August 6.