Azerbaijani army adopts NATO standards

Official statement of the President of Azerbaijan

Army Azerbaijan goes to NATO standards, as announced by the President of the country Ilham Aliyev during a meeting with a delegation of the North Atlantic Alliance in Baku.

«Baku is closely cooperating with the Turkish army and the military departments of other allied countries. Azerbaijan has achieved its main goal since the liberation of its lands from occupation,» Aliyev said.

What does the transition to NATO standards mean?

According to the President, the reform envisages Complete change of the army training and armament system, The new system is based mainly on Soviet and Russian models.

The main areas of transition:

• Procurement of weapons from NATO member states - In particular, the United States, Germany, France and the United Kingdom.

• Gradual displacement of Russian equipment from the arsenals of the Azerbaijani army.

• Reorientation of training programmes and exercises personnel to NATO standards.

Context.

Azerbaijan has been actively cooperating with the Turkey, a NATO member, in the field of military exercises, standardisation and exchange of experience.
Experts see the decision to switch to the Alliance's standards as Baku's next step in strengthening defence autonomy and distancing itself from Russian influence in the military sphere.