Armenia

Armenian Defense Ministry Denies Report Of Officer Death in Vardenis

On December 8, the Armenian Defense Ministry stated that a media report claiming a Defense Ministry officer had died in an accident in Vardenis was misleading. The ministry emphasized that the publication, circulated by several media outlets and Telegram channels under the headline "A Defense Ministry officer died in an accident in Vardenis," was accompanied by a photograph of a conscript in a military position, which created a false impression. The ministry clarified that the incident had occurred "in circumstances and at a place that have nothing to do with military service" , noting that the matter fell outside the scope of military duty and had already been addressed publicly by colleagues from the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The ministry urged media organizations to handle army-related information responsibly, stressing the need to avoid "unscrupulous headlines," rely exclusively on verified and official sources, and refrain from spreading content that could distort reality or cause unnecessary concern among the families of servicemen. The ministry also expressed condolences to the family members and fellow servicemen of the deceased serviceman.

Body of Serviceman Found With Gunshot Wound

On December 12, the Ministry of Defense stated that at around 4:00 PM the body of serviceman Smbat Mher Kirakosyan was discovered with a gunshot wound. The Ministry of Defense emphasized that the incident had been identified during the afternoon hours and that an investigation had been launched to "fully clarify the circumstances of the incident," without providing further details at that stage. The ministry expressed its condolences and support to the serviceman’s family members, relatives, and fellow soldiers, stressing that the inquiry was ongoing.

Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan And NATO Strengthen Military And Educational Cooperation

On December 9, Zakir Hasanov, the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan, met with a delegation led by Rear Admiral Yusuf Karagülle, Deputy Chief of Staff for the Partnerships Directorate at NATO Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE), during the 16th NATO Days in Azerbaijan. Hasanov welcomed the delegation and stated that the close relations between Azerbaijan and NATO significantly contribute to the professional development of military personnel on both sides. He emphasized NATO’s role in promoting global peace and security, highlighted Azerbaijan’s commitment to cooperation with the Alliance, and noted the declaration of additional forces to the Operational Capabilities Concept (OCC) Pool of Forces. Rear Admiral Karagülle praised the further expansion of Azerbaijan–NATO relations, the country’s participation in Alliance-led security and crisis-response operations, and the effectiveness of regular mutual visits and meetings. He also commended the professionalism of over 40 Azerbaijani officers serving at NATO headquarters under the Partnership Staff Element Concept. During the meeting, the sides discussed the current state and future prospects of Azerbaijan–NATO cooperation in military and educational fields. It was reported that, under the Partnership for Peace (PfP) programme, up to 250 Azerbaijani personnel participated in 146 international events abroad, while 395 personnel joined 33 NATO events hosted in Azerbaijan. The delegation also outlined plans to visit several military units and special educational institutions at the National Defense University as part of the ongoing 16th NATO Days, which continued until December 12.

On December 10, as part of the 2025 Individual Partnership Cooperation Programme (IPCP), a second coordination meeting of the Partner Capacity Coherence Initiative was held in Baku between NATO’s Mobile Training Team from Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum and Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense specialists. Vugar Aliverdiyev, Major General of the Azerbaijan Army, noted that these training courses familiarize servicemen with NATO standards, operational planning, command-and-control procedures, and the execution of NATO-format exercises at operational and tactical levels. The sides expressed confidence that the planned exercise would further strengthen Azerbaijan–NATO cooperation, enhance operational training in line with NATO standards, and contribute to regional peace and stability. A protocol of mutual understanding was signed to organize the exercise.

On December 13, Rear Admiral Karagülle led an official visit to Azerbaijan within the framework of the 16th NATO Days. The visit aimed to advance Azerbaijan–NATO cooperation, fulfill partnership program commitments, and enhance mutual experience exchange. Meetings were held at the Ministry of Defense, the Heydar Aliyev Military Institute, and military units of the Land Forces and Naval Forces that included subunits declared under NATO’s OCC programme. During the visit, it was highlighted that Azerbaijan actively contributes to international security through participation in peacekeeping missions and NATO’s Partnership for Peace programme. The discussions emphasized the importance of military training and educational cooperation, noting that Azerbaijani officers’ involvement in NATO trainings and headquarters improves their operational, command, and military-scientific knowledge. Various briefings and roundtables were organized, and at the conclusion of the events, the sides exchanged gifts and commemorative photos were taken.

Azerbaijan And Türkiye Discuss Expanded Cooperation in Air Force Sector

On December 9, a working meeting was held in Baku with a Turkish delegation to discuss current and prospective areas of cooperation. During the meeting, the parties focused on further development of collaboration in the Air Force sector, including joint exercises, experience exchange, and technical and operational cooperation. The Azerbaijani side presented a briefing on the modernization of the Azerbaijan Army, ongoing reforms, and the activities of the Air Force. The discussions also included extensive exchanges of views on other issues of mutual interest.

On December 11, a delegation from the Navigation, Hydrography, and Oceanography Department of the Turkish Naval Forces visited Azerbaijan. During the meeting at the headquarters of the Azerbaijan Naval Forces, the delegations discussed the preparation of next-generation electronic navigational data, the application of international standards, and the exchange of expertise. The Turkish delegation shared their experience with specialists from the Hydrography Department of the Azerbaijan Naval Forces on gathering and processing hydrographic data, producing S-101 Electronic Navigational Charts (ENCs), and developing digital navigation systems under the S-100 framework. Both sides emphasized that such meetings significantly contribute to deepening Azerbaijan–Türkiye cooperation and expanding opportunities for joint activities in hydrography, navigation, and oceanography.

Azerbaijan And Uzbekistan Strengthen Strategic Military Partnership

On December 10, Zakir Hasanov, the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan, met with a delegation from Uzbekistan led by Viktor Mahmudov, the Secretary of the Security Council under the President of Uzbekistan, and Shukhrat Khalmukhamedov, the Minister of Defense, during their official visit to Azerbaijan. The Uzbek delegation first visited the Alley of Honor, where they laid wreaths and flowers at the graves of the National Leader of the Azerbaijani people, Heydar Aliyev, and prominent ophthalmologist and academician Zarifa Aliyeva, honoring their memory. The guests also visited Victory Park and paid tribute at the Victory Monument. During the official welcoming ceremony at the Ministry of Defense, following the passage along the honor guard, the national anthems of Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan were performed, and the "Book of Honor" was signed in accordance with protocol.

During the meeting, Hasanov emphasized that bilateral military cooperation between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan is founded on friendly and fraternal relations. The Uzbek delegation stated that military cooperation strengthens and develops both countries’ armed forces. Discussions focused on Azerbaijani-Uzbek cooperation in military, military-technical, and military-educational fields, as well as other issues of mutual interest in defense. At the conclusion of the meeting, the bilateral military cooperation plan for 2026 was signed between the two Ministries of Defense. The delegation also toured the main departments of the General Staff of the Azerbaijan Army, receiving detailed answers to their questions.

On December 11, the visit continued with Colonel General Karim Valiyev, First Deputy Minister of Defense – Chief of the General Staff of the Azerbaijan Army, accompanying the Uzbek delegation to the Cybersecurity Center. The guests were briefed on measures to ensure cybersecurity for modern weapon systems, information technology tools in the Azerbaijan Army’s armament, and AI-based cyber defense solutions against potential threats. The delegation also visited the Combat Control Center of the Air Force, where they received information on the center’s structure, functions, and operations, which are supported by modern management systems. Questions from the Uzbek guests were addressed during the visit, highlighting ongoing collaboration and knowledge exchange between the two countries.

Georgia

Georgia Opens Strategic-Operational Defense Resource Management Course

On December 10, the Georgian Ministry of Defense announced the opening of the "Strategic-Operational Level Course of the Defense Resource Management Program" at the DIBS Institute of Defense Institutional Reconstruction School (DIBS). Paata Patiashvili, the First Deputy Minister of Defense, addressed the participants and emphasized the importance of implementing a program aimed at enhancing the capabilities of staff involved in resource management. The opening ceremony was attended by Colonel John Adams, the US Defense Attaché. The five-day program is fully conducted using Georgian resources and is designed to strengthen participants’ theoretical and practical knowledge in core resource management, supporting improvements in budget planning and execution processes. Various levels of the Defense Resource Management Program have been successfully conducted in an inter-institutional format for three consecutive years. The program forms a key component of US-Georgia bilateral cooperation under the "Georgian Defense and Detention Strengthening Initiative" (GDDEI).