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Azerbaijan’s military aviation opportunities - INVESTIGATION
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14 Feb 2009 12:18 ]
Baku. Rashad Suleymanov–APA. February 14 is a day of establishing the Azerbaijan Military Air Force.
Azerbaijan military air forces were established on February 14, 1992. Today it is a strongest military aviation in the South Caucasus for number of aircrafts, its modernity and professionalism of pilots.
Azerbaijan achieved air domination in the South Caucasus over the past 9 years by modernization of its Air Force and extension of its aviation fleet. Azerbaijan will develop it air force opportunities in the next five years. 50 percent of the aviation fleet will be innovated by the modern fighter jets in 2008-2010. JF-17 Thunder, Su-27 and Su-30, as well as new generation of MiG aircrafts will be added to the fleet until 2015.
Azerbaijani Air Force has following development directions:
- purchasing of new planes and helicopters;
- modernization of existed aviation techniques;
- modernization of the mission control centers;
- improvement of air force crew and personnel, modern education;
- air fleet extension by means of local production.
State of war and useful landscape, as well as deployment of former Soviet air bases in Azerbaijan enabled the air unit of Azerbaijani army to develop in the period of independence.
According to the European Lateral Treaty on Conventional Arms, Azerbaijan may keep 100 fighter jets and 50 helicopters.
There are USSR-made MiG-21, MiG-23, MiG-25, Su-24 and Su-25, as well as fourth generation of MiG-29 purchased from Ukraine in 2006, Soviet-made Il-76, and An military aircrafts, USSR-inherited far range Tu-16 bombardment aircrafts in the Azerbaijan Air Force fleet now. Azerbaijan is holding talks with Pakistan to purchase JF-17 Thunder aircrafts.
The Air Force stockpiles L-29 and L-39 practice fighter jets produced in Czech Republic and Ukraine. The State Border Service and Voluntary Society of Defense, Patriotism and Sport have Yak assault light aircrafts.
The helicopter fleet contains mostly the USSR- and Russia-made Mi-27, Mi-8 and Mi-6 helicopters. Last year Azerbaijan signed a deal with Russia to purchase Mi-171 helicopters. Alongside with the Military Air Force, the State Border Service, Internal Troops and Ministry of Emergency Situations have their helicopter squadrons.
The Azerbaijan Air Forces also have six Orbiter and Aerostar unmanned aircrafts produced by Israel’s Aeronautics Company. These aircrafts were demonstrated for the first time during the military parade in Baku last year. According to the Israeli newspapers, Azerbaijan is holding the talks for purchasing Hermes and Heron-TP unmanned crafts now.
South Caucasian countries’ air force fleets (planes)
Make | Azerbaijan | Georgia | Armenia | MiG-21 | 21 | | | MiG-25 | 31 | | 1 | MiG-29 | 49 | | | Su-17 | 4 | | | Su-24 | 19 | | | Su-25 | 29 | 24 | 15 | Su-27 | | | | JF-17 | 4/26 | | | Tu-16 | | | | L-29 | 8 | 2 | 4 | L-39 | 12 | 18 | | Il-76 | 3 | | | YaK-52 | 12 | | 16 | An-12 | 1 | | | An -24 | 1 | 1 | | An-32 | | 1 | | Tu-134 | 1 | 2 | | Mi-24 | 49 | | | Mi-8 | 13 | | |
South Caucasian countries’ helicopter fleets (2008)
Make | Azerbaijan | Georgia | Armenia | Mi-2 | ? | 7 | 9 | Mi-6 | 4 | | | Mi-8 | 13 | 18 | 16 | Mi-9 | ? | | 2 | Mi-24 | 49 | 12 | 16 | Mi-17 | 4 | | 3 | Mi-171 | 6 | | | Bell UH-1H | - | 8 | | | | | |
Unmanned aircrafts
Azerbaijan | Georgia | Armenia | 6 | 24 | no |
Azerbaijani pilots are trained in the Azerbaijan Air Force School and then developing their skills in the military bases. Azerbaijan has an experience exchange with Turkey, Ukraine, the United States and number of NATO countries. Turkish Air Force School has a great role in the training of military pilots. The Azerbaijani pilots are also trained in the Ukraine’s Pilot Training School. Currently the Azerbaijani pilots are the most flying pilots in CIS. The United States is the most active participant in the modernization of the Azerbaijani Air Force. Azerbaijani airfields in Gala and Haji Zeynalabidin Tagiyev settlements were modernized with the US support in the framework of the Azerbaijan-NATO Individual Partnership Action Plan. The special equipments were installed there to provide security of the flights. The starting command points, engineering control systems and engineering air force service were provided with the new buildings. Now modernization of the Kurdamir airfield is negotiated now. NATO is using both airfields for flights to Afghanistan. The United States allocated $4 146 848 to Azerbaijan for equipments of Air Traffic Control System (navigation, lighting of airfields, and etc.).
Unprecedented Flight Control System in the region has been installed in Dallar airdrome with support of the United States.
Since September, 2008, Turkey has participated in the project of modernization of Central Command of Air Forces. According the agreement reached, central command management center will be installed in accordance with NATO standards. A great number of projects such as joint manufacture of Attack helicopters, unmanned aircrafts and etc. will be implemented with Turkey in the near future.
Ukraine is the main aircraft provider state for Azerbaijan. 125 million-dollar agreement was signed with Ukraine in 2005 and this country provides Azerbaijan with fourth generation MIG-29 aircrafts.
Czech “Aero Trade” Company conducts P and S talks with Azerbaijan in regard to L-39 aircrafts. Director According to General of the Company Zdenk Prokop, several L-39 have already been sent to Azerbaijan. Official Baku takes much interest in these aircrafts and a number of L-39 aircrafts were demonstrated in the military parade in Baku on June 26, 2008.
After the August events in Georgia last year, it was observed once again that how important role the military aviation play in military operations.
Expansion of military aircraft park of Azerbaijani Armed Forces assumes great significance from this point of view.
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