The Azerbaijani Armed Forces are undergoing extensive modernization to adapt to NATO standards. This was reported by Zamin.uz.
This strategic direction was confirmed by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev during a meeting with a NATO delegation held in Baku. The head of state paid special attention to close cooperation with the Turkish army, a long-standing NATO member, in this process.
It was noted that the Turkish army has significant experience in this area. During the meeting with alliance representatives, Aliyev emphasized that the modernization of the Azerbaijani army will be long-term and consistent.
It was also mentioned that restoring the country's territorial integrity has been a primary goal, and now focus is being placed on strengthening defense capabilities. Cooperation between Azerbaijan and NATO has a history of over 30 years.
In 1994, Azerbaijan joined the "Partnership for Peace" program, laying a solid foundation for future cooperation. Since then, bilateral relations have developed in various fields.
This includes Azerbaijani military participation in NATO operations, reforming the military education system, troop command, technical support, cybersecurity, and energy security. Representatives of the North Atlantic Alliance highly appreciated Azerbaijan's contribution to ensuring international security, including its many years of involvement in Afghanistan.
Additionally, the country's role as a reliable transport and logistics hub in the region was particularly emphasized. During the meeting, the parties expressed their interest in further expanding and deepening cooperation.
One of the main tools of cooperation between Azerbaijan and NATO is the Individual Partnership Action Plan (IPAP), which regulates a wide range of military-technical and defense issues. Azerbaijan is considered one of the first partner countries to join this format.
