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Defense Minister of Azerbaijan: â€œAzerbaijani Armed Forces are able to annihilate targets in all territory of Armeniaâ€

24 April 2010 10:47 (UTC +04:00)

The complicated military-political situation in the region makes it necessary for Azerbaijan strengthen combat capability of its armed forces to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity and liberate the occupied territoriesâ€, said Defense Minister of Azerbaijan, Colonel-General Safar Abiyev at the Defense Ministry meeting on April 23.

The minister said new quality progress was achieved towards the development and improvement of armed forces in current year. â€œFirst operational serial are taking constructive measures to secure sustainable defense. The defense system was improved and force performance of the troops is at high level. The united command system, control, communication and automated command system was implemented to improve comprehensive united command system of the armed forcesâ€.

The Defense Minister spoke about the increase of combat capability, strengthening of operational preparation and improvement of administration. He said about 70 command-staff exercises were held in an academic year. Different troops were involved in these exercises. They actively used modern stimulators and computer networks.

Abiyev said joint exercises conducted by the armed forces, state border service and internal troops of Azerbaijan in 2009 demonstrated high combat capability of the troops and strengthened their skills and knowledge about offensive operations and combating technique in the mountainous areas.

In order to improve opportunities of strategic and tactical intelligence forces in 2009, unmanned aircrafts, radio-intelligence collection, night and daytime remote observation, as well as individual night vision equipments were purchased, said the minister and added that special training courses, as well as courses of Armenian language were organized for the officers and soldiers. â€œIn 2009, as a result of recruitment of professional artillery troops, procurement of modern arms and technical equipments, automated command system, including salvo fire reactive system, an opportunity was created for annihilation of close and far enemy targets in a large territory. Meteorological stations were created for more accurate artillery fire. The troops were equipped with optical calculating devices, as well as radar stations to identify the enemyâ€™s mobile and immobile targets in a short time. The ammunitions used until the end of last year were provided with new optical night vision shooting-marks. Armored vehicles are modernized. Anti-armored missile systems were purchased. Our armed forces are able to annihilate targets in all territory of Armenia. Mr. President, I report You that Azerbaijani Armed Forces are able to hit any target in the territory of Armeniaâ€.

Abiyev said about 1 billion USD arms and technical equipments were given to the armed forces in 2009.

The Defense Minister also spoke about the social protection of the Azerbaijani Army. â€œFive military communities with social, cultural and domestic facilities were constructed in the different military garrisons. Residential buildings with 627 apartments are constructedâ€.

Abiyev spoke about the work done for increase of combat capability and modernization of the equipment. â€œPurchase of new air defense equipments increased air combat activity of the troops. New flight stimulators increased preparation of the aircraft crews. New communication channels were opened for digital information exchange in the modernized combat techniques of the air forcesâ€.

The minister also spoke about the strengthening of navy potential. Modern navigation, communication, radar and hydro-acoustic mans were installed in the ships, engines of the warships were replaced with new one. â€œ200-ton patrol boat was constructed in ship-building sector. 21 guard boats will be repaired and equipped with new ammunitionsâ€.

Abiyev said concrete work has been done for strengthening of international relations of the Azerbaijan Armed Forces. â€œAzerbaijan signed agreements and memorandums, including four documents in 2009, which will serve as a legal basis of defense relations with 27 countries. No we are negotiating similar agreements with 27 more countriesâ€.

The minister said Azerbaijan had an army with high-level combat capability and discipline. â€œThe main goal of strengthening the armed forces it to liberate the occupied lands from enemy, to restore territorial integrity of our country, to return refugees and internally displaced persons to their homelandsâ€.