Armenia

Military Police Review Activities From First Nine Months Of 2025

On October 20, a working consultation was held at the Military Police of the Ministry of Defense to review the activities carried out during the first nine months of 2025. During the session, deputies of the military police presented reports on the results of their work, the operational situation, and the implementation of current instructions. Major General Ashot Zakaryan, the head of the Military Police, addressed measures for crime prevention and detection, the development of cooperation between military units and the military police, efforts to enhance discipline, and several other key issues. At the conclusion of the consultation, Major General Zakaryan issued instructions aimed at continuing targeted work to strengthen discipline in the armed forces, deepen military police–force cooperation, and reinforce an atmosphere of mutual trust.

Georgian Defence Minister Visits Armenia To Strengthen Bilateral Cooperation

On October 21, Irakli Chikovani, the Minister of Defence of Georgia, arrived in Armenia on an official visit at the invitation of Suren Papikyan, the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Armenia. Upon his arrival, Minister Papikyan received Chikovani at the Ministry of Defence, where a welcoming ceremony was held featuring a guard of honour and a military orchestra. The national anthems of Armenia and Georgia were performed as part of the ceremony. Following the welcome, a tête-à-tête meeting took place between Suren Papikyan and Irakli Chikovani, which was then followed by an expanded session with the participation of their respective delegations. During the meetings, both Ministers expressed appreciation for the ongoing Armenia–Georgia cooperation in the defence sector, exchanged updates on armed forces reforms in their countries, and reached several agreements. Discussions also covered matters related to regional security. On October 22, Irakli Chikovani visited the Armenian Genocide Memorial Complex to honor the memory of the victims.

Armenia-India Defense Consultations Held In Hyderabad

On October 23, Armenia-India defense consultations were held in Hyderabad, India, under the framework of the joint working group on bilateral defense cooperation established last year. The session was co-chaired by Levon Ayvazyan, Head of the Defense Policy and International Cooperation Department of the Armenian Ministry of Defense, and Vishwesh Negi, Joint Secretary for International Cooperation of the Indian Ministry of Defense, with the participation of Vahagn Afyan, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Armenia to India. During the consultations, both sides expressed satisfaction with the implementation of the 2025 cooperation program and highlighted the need to expand the program with additional areas in 2026. They exchanged views on regional and international security developments and shared updates on the latest progress within their respective armed forces. The event concluded with the signing of the 2026 Cooperation Program between the RA Ministry of Defense and the Indian Ministry of Defense, covering high-level and expert visits, military education, military-technical collaboration, combat training and exercises, experience exchange, and other areas. The parties also agreed to hold the next session in the Republic of Armenia.

Suren Papikyan Announces Next-Generation Weapons; Western-Standard Uniforms and Border Security Efforts

On October 24, Suren Papikyan, the Minister of Defense of Armenia, stated that the country’s defense spending had increased by $1.1 billion since 2018. Papikyan explained that while Armenia’s defense budget stood at $640 million in 2018, it would reach $1.741 billion in 2025. He noted that the objectives initially set for 2026 and beyond had been accelerated for implementation in 2025. According to the minister, Armenia was now purchasing exclusively next-generation weaponry. Discussing arms procurement, Papikyan emphasized that the issue of diversification had been resolved and that Armenia was also expanding its domestic military production. He highlighted that Armenian-made products now played an important role in the country’s defense arsenal and stressed the need to enhance the competitiveness of the local defense industry while pursuing opportunities in foreign markets. The minister revealed that while defense contracts with Armenian companies totaled around 5.5 billion drams in 2022, the figure had since increased to 170 billion drams. He also announced that new military uniforms would be produced in accordance with Western standards. Papikyan further reported that no murders had been recorded in the Armenian army in 2025. He stated that five service-related deaths occurred that year, specifying that "two servicemen died due to health issues, one by suicide, one by electric shock, and one by lightning." Addressing border security issues, the minister stated that the withdrawal of Azerbaijani troops from occupied territories of Armenia should be resolved through the work of the delimitation and demarcation commissions. "After August 8, this became even more realistic. I am confident it will happen. There is no other choice, and we must follow this path," Papikyan emphasized. He added that Armenia could simultaneously maintain a strong army and cultivate peaceful relations with its neighbors.

Azerbaijan

Military Exercises

On October 20, the "Unity-2025" joint regional exercise continued in the Samarkand region of Uzbekistan with the participation of servicemen from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. The exercise, conducted in three stages, focused on strengthening state border protection, identifying and neutralizing illegal armed formations, and enhancing coordination between the military contingents of the participating countries. On October 21, Distinguished Visitors Day was held, attended by Zakir Hasanov, the Minister of Defense of Azerbaijan, Lieutenant General Shukhrat Khalmukhamedov, the Minister of Defense of Uzbekistan, and other high-level guests. The event included briefings on the exercise tasks, demonstrations at the training range, and an overview of the joint command post operations. Guests also reviewed an exhibition of weapons and military equipment produced by Uzbekistan’s Defense Industry Agencies. At the closing ceremony, Colonel General Hasanov praised the professionalism of the participants, commended the combat training of Azerbaijani commandos and UAV crews, and presented awards to distinguished servicemen. He emphasized that the exercise demonstrated the high combat capabilities of the participating armies.

On October 22, the "Indestructible Partnership-2025" joint special forces exercise began in Azerbaijan with units from the Azerbaijan Army’s Special Forces and the Special Operations Command of the Presidential Guard of the United Arab Emirates. The opening ceremony honored the memory of the shehids of both countries, accompanied by a military orchestra, national anthems, and the raising of state flags. Major General Alakbar Jahangirov, Commander of the Azerbaijan Special Forces, stated that the exercise aimed to deepen cooperation, enhance practical skills, and facilitate experience exchange between the two countries’ special forces. The training involved armored vehicles, army aviation, and unmanned aerial vehicles, with participants practicing combat tactics, sniper operations, airborne landings, neutralization of enemy targets, and clearing settlements of enemy forces.

On October 25, the "Nusret-2025 Invitation Exercise," hosted by Türkiye, commenced in the Gulf of Saros with participation from naval and air forces of NATO and Türkiye, the Coast Guard Command, and observers from multiple countries. Azerbaijan sent a group of servicemen to join the exercise, which aimed to strengthen mine warfare capabilities, planning, execution, and assessment, as well as interoperability between Türkiye’s naval forces and those of allied countries. The exercise included 44 participating countries, including Bahrain, Bulgaria, Egypt, Indonesia, Kenya, Kuwait, Malaysia, Morocco, the Netherlands, Oman, Pakistan, Peru, the Republic of Korea, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States.

Azerbaijan Conducts High-Level Defense Meetings With Uzbekistan, Saudi Arabia, Georgia, Türkiye, And NATO

Between October 20 and 23, Azerbaijan conducted multiple high-level defense meetings and exercises with Uzbekistan, Saudi Arabia, Georgia, Türkiye, and NATO representatives, focusing on military cooperation, education, joint exercises, and standardization.

On October 20, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan, traveled to Samarkand, Uzbekistan, at the invitation of Lieutenant General Shukhrat Khalmukhamedov, the Minister of Defense of Uzbekistan, to participate in Distinguished Visitors Day of the "Unity-2025" exercise. In Samarkand, Colonel General Hasanov met with his Uzbek counterpart to discuss the current state and future prospects of cooperation in military, military-technical, and military-educational spheres. The discussions highlighted the importance of joint exercises for experience exchange. The meeting, attended by Huseyn Guliyev, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Azerbaijan to Uzbekistan, also included a review of the current level of military cooperation and an exchange of views on expanding bilateral collaboration.

On October 22, a delegation led by the Chief of the International Military Cooperation Department of Azerbaijan visited the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to participate in the meeting of the Joint Military Committee between the defense ministries of Azerbaijan and Saudi Arabia in Riyadh. The Azerbaijani delegation met with General Fayyad bin Hamed Al-Ruwaili, Chief of the General Staff of the Saudi Armed Forces, and Major General Saad bin Mohammed Al-Qasiri, Director General of the International Cooperation Department of the Saudi Ministry of Defense. The sides exchanged views on the current state and development prospects of military cooperation and signed the "Protocol of the meeting of the Joint Military Committee between the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Defense of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia."

Also on October 22, Baku hosted a working meeting between the STANAG commissions of the Azerbaijani National Defense University and the Georgian National Defense Academy at the Military Management Institute of the National Defense University. The Georgian delegation was briefed on the history and activities of the Foreign Language Center, and the head of the delegation signed the center’s Remembrance Book. The meeting included a detailed discussion on preparing STANAG English language tests, moderating test materials, mutual usage, and trial implementation. STANAG, NATO’s standardization document, defines agreements among member states on implementing standards to meet interoperability requirements.

On October 23, a trilateral meeting of the leadership of the National Defense Universities of Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Türkiye was held in Gori, Georgia, at the David Aghmashenebeli National Defence Academy. The Azerbaijani delegation was led by Major General Arif Hasanov, Deputy Rector for Science and Education. The meeting focused on developing military education cooperation, implementing joint scientific projects, and strengthening the exchange of experience in training professional servicemen. Participants also discussed modern military education methods and attended competitions among cadets in various sports disciplines.

On the same day, an initial assessment meeting under NATO’s Defence Education Enhancement Programme (DEEP) was held between DEEP distance education specialists and representatives of the National Defense University of Azerbaijan. The meeting analyzed the current state of military education and Azerbaijan-NATO cooperation, exchanged views on future development, and reviewed areas for the joint action plan for the following year. Seminars were also conducted at the National Defense University’s educational institutions, with briefings on organizing distance education within NATO’s system.

Georgia

Military Exercise

On October 24, the 13th Infantry Battalion of the First Infantry Brigade of the Eastern Sardloba of the Georgian Defense Forces completed tactical field training with combat shooting at the Orpolo polygon. During the exercise, the private team of Asouli conducted operations to destroy and neutralize a conditional opponent, supported by the Artillery Engineering Subdivision and Aviation Support units. Brigadier General Roland Dzneladze, commander of the Eastern Sardloba, observed the training and familiarized himself with its progress. The field tactical training was carried out in two phases, focusing on preparing the battalion to operate in coordination with supporting elements of the various subdivisions.