Armenia

Armenian Defense Ministry Denies False Media Reports

On October 27, the Armenian Defense Ministry stated that a recent media report titled "A soldier was found with a gunshot wound. What happened in Kapan" contained false information. The ministry clarified that, according to preliminary data, the soldier sustained a minor injury due to a violation of weapon use rules. His health and life were not in danger. The serviceman received treatment at the garrison hospital, and there was no need to transfer him to the Yerevan Central Clinical Military Hospital.

Armenia And Germany Hold Bilateral Defense Consultations

On October 28-29, Levon Ayvazyan, the Head of the Defense Policy and International Cooperation Department of the Ministry of Defense of Armenia, and Colonel Christian Schmitt, the Head of the International Cooperation Department of the German Ministry of Defense, co-chaired the Armenia-Germany bilateral defense consultations. During the consultations held at the administrative complex of the Armenian Ministry of Defense, the participants reviewed the outcomes of Armenia-Germany defense cooperation for 2025 and agreed on programs for 2026. They exchanged views on international and regional security challenges, as well as ongoing reforms within their respective defense ministries. Both sides emphasized the significance of enhancing cooperation through multilateral frameworks under NATO and the EU. The consultations concluded with agreements to expand collaboration across several areas within the defense sector.

Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan’s Defense Minister Hosts UAE Special Operations Delegation

On October 27, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan, received a delegation led by Brigadier General Mohammed Saeed Alsalmi, the Commander of the Special Operations Forces of the Presidential Guard of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), during their visit to Azerbaijan. Welcoming the UAE delegation, Colonel General Hasanov expressed satisfaction with their visit and emphasized the ongoing development of Azerbaijani-UAE military cooperation, noting the significance of the "Indestructible Partnership-2025" joint special forces exercise held in Azerbaijan for mutual experience exchange. Brigadier General Alsalmi thanked the hosts for their warm reception and highlighted how mutual visits and joint exercises strengthen cooperation between the Special Forces of both countries. The meeting also included discussions on several other areas of mutual interest. Following the talks, the UAE delegation visited a Special Forces military unit, where they paid tribute at the bust of Heydar Aliyev, the National Leader of the Azerbaijani people, and at the monument honoring the memory of Shehids, laying flowers in their honor. During a meeting with Major General Alakbar Jahangirov, the Azerbaijani Special Forces Commander, the sides exchanged views on military cooperation and received detailed briefings on the activities and combat training of the Azerbaijani Special Forces. Both parties emphasized that joint exercises enhance the professionalism of servicemen and underlined the importance of continuing such collaborative training initiatives.

Military Exercises

On October 28, a joint tactical exercise involving artillery units from Azerbaijan and Serbia took place in Serbia. During the exercise, artillerymen conducted live-fire operations using self-propelled howitzers and multiple-launch rocket systems. Targets were successfully destroyed with precise fire from the NORA B-52 self-propelled gun-howitzer, achieving the tasks set for the servicemen. The exercise focused on exchanging experience, enhancing command staff knowledge and abilities, and improving field and practical skills, including planning unit activities during combat operations.

On October 30, the "Indestructible Partnership-2025" joint special forces exercise, conducted in Azerbaijan with the Special Forces of the Azerbaijan Army and units of the Special Operations Command of the Presidential Guard of the United Arab Emirates, concluded. At the closing ceremony, a minute of silence honored the Shehids of both countries, and the national anthems were performed with the state flags raised. Speakers highlighted the successful development of cooperation between the two special forces, noting that the exercise strengthened mutual relations, enhanced combat training, and facilitated experience exchange. Distinguished servicemen received awards, and a mutual exchange of gifts took place.

On November 1, the Mountain Commando Course held in Isparta, Türkiye, with participation from personnel of the Azerbaijani Combined Arms Army, concluded successfully. Conducted under the Azerbaijan-Türkiye Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of Military Education, the graduation ceremony featured the national anthems of both countries. Speakers congratulated participants, emphasizing that the skills and knowledge gained would enhance combat effectiveness and professionalism. Graduates received certificates, having mastered modern combat techniques applicable under diverse conditions and gained proficiency in new technologies.

Azerbaijan’s Defense Minister Participates In CIS Defense Ministers Meeting

On October 31, General Colonel Zakir Hasanov, the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan, visited the Republic of Kazakhstan to participate in the meeting of the Council of Defense Ministers of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) member states. During the visit, Colonel General Hasanov and the military leadership of other participating countries visited the park named after 28 Panfilov Guardsmen and laid a wreath at the Eternal Flame monument. The meeting held in Almaty focused on current military cooperation and future tasks, concluding with a signing ceremony of the final documents.

On the same day, Colonel General Hasanov met with Lieutenant General Dauren Kosanov, the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The ministers emphasized that Azerbaijani-Kazakh relations are founded on friendship and brotherhood and discussed cooperation in military, military-technical, military-educational, and other areas. They also exchanged views on new prospects for bilateral military relations and other issues of mutual interest. Lieutenant General Kosanov presented Colonel General Hasanov with the "Medal for Contribution to the Development of International Cooperation," and the two sides signed a military cooperation plan for 2026.

Armenian Military Police Delegation Visits Georgia

On October 31, a delegation from the Military Police Department of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Armenia visited Georgia. Major General Ashot Zakariani, Head of the Armenian Military Police, led the delegation and was hosted by Major General Shalva Shengelia. During an introductory meeting, the parties discussed cooperation and the Georgian side presented the structure, goals, and tasks of its military police. The Armenian delegation also attended a demonstration training of Georgian military police personnel in Vaziani, which included speed and cordon drills, patrolling, and operations for the protection of high-profile individuals. The visit aimed to deepen cooperation and facilitate the exchange of experience between the two countries’ military police forces.

Georgia

Military Exercise

On October 27, junkers of the Junker Battalion of the Georgian National Defense Academy named after David Aghmashenebeli took a military oath at Didgori Memorial after completing a five-week basic combat training course. The ceremony was attended by Academy leadership, family members, and relatives of the junkers. The First Deputy Rector of the National Defense Academy and the Commander of the Junker Training Battalion highlighted the academy’s role in combining military education with statesmanship and leadership training. They congratulated the junkers on completing the course and wished them success in their future studies. Following the oath, Archpriest David Kasradze, the Academy’s Chaplain, blessed the junkers, and the leadership awarded them medals of honor. The junkers, who had been enrolled after passing national exams, completed theoretical and practical lessons during the initial five-week combat training. They will continue their studies at the Academy, and upon successfully completing the four-year curriculum, graduates will be deployed to various units of the Georgian Defense Forces.

Georgia Expands Military Infrastructure With Cadets Lyceum, Army City, And Bases

On October 29, Irakli Chikovani, the Minister of Defense of Georgia, and Lieutenant General Giorgi Matiashvili, the Commander of the Defense Forces, inspected large-scale infrastructural projects underway in the Georgian Defense Forces. In Krtsanis, they reviewed the construction of the Cadets Military Lyceum and the second phase of the "Army City" project on Makhata Mountain. At the Lyceum, rehabilitation and repair works were carried out on buildings that will house barracks, classrooms, administration offices, and a lazarette for cadets. The assembly square and control point have been completed, while internal communications and furnishing are in the final stage. Once finished, the Lyceum will be able to recruit up to 350 cadets. On Makhata Mountain, 39 of 44 seven-story residential buildings for the second phase of the "Army City" project are under active construction. Floor frame works have begun in 28 buildings, and 11 buildings are at the foundation stage. The project, following a participatory principle, will provide up to 1,300 military personnel with apartments at $100 per square meter, with buildings adapted for the disabled and comprehensive transport and infrastructure facilities planned.

On November 2, Minister Chikovani and Lieutenant General Matiashvili visited ongoing construction sites for special operations and aviation and air defense bases. At the special operations base in Mukhrovani, barracks, training buildings, a ranger school, canteen, lazarette, multifunctional sports field, car park, storage, aerodrome, and internal and external renovations were nearing completion. The second phase will focus on internal communications and territory arrangements. The Modern Standards Center for Special Operations Headquarters includes 24 new buildings and the rehabilitation of three existing structures, set to become the new location for the special operations base. They also inspected the new deployment site for the aviation and air defense base. Barracks, brigade and battalion headquarters, four additional barracks, a canteen, infirmary, gym, and classrooms have been constructed, with the second phase ongoing to finish communications and outdoor amenities.