ADEX is a strategic platform showcasing Azerbaijan's defense industry potential to the world, Chairman of the Milli Majlis Committee on Defense, Security and Combating Corruption Arzu Naghiyev told APA.
Naghiyev said that the Azerbaijan International Defense Exhibition – ADEX, as one of the largest specialized events in the defense industry and internal security sector in the Caucasus region, plays a special role in Azerbaijan's international military-technical cooperation: “This exhibition is no longer merely a venue where weapons and military equipment are displayed, but has become an important platform for establishing direct contacts between states, military delegations, and defense industry companies. The participation of more than 270 companies from 29 countries and 45 foreign delegations from 33 countries in ADEX 2026 is an indication of this. ADEX provides broad opportunities to discuss new areas of cooperation, exchange experience, conclude contracts and agreements, as well as improve products in line with the requirements of the regional market. In this regard, ADEX can be regarded as a strategic platform that presents Azerbaijan's defense industry potential to the international community and turns the country into one of the important centers of military-technical cooperation in the region.”
20-year development path in the defense industry
The committee chairman noted that Azerbaijan's defense industry reaching its current level is the result of a long-term and purposeful policy: “The establishment of the Ministry of Defense Industry in 2005 laid the foundation for the systematic development of this sector. In the subsequent period, new production facilities were established, cooperation was built with leading companies from various countries, and the range of products was significantly expanded. Currently, more than 1,000 types of military-purpose products are manufactured in Azerbaijan. Today, it is not only about meeting the army's domestic needs. Azerbaijan is already exporting its military products to foreign markets. Official information has been released that the country exports military products to more than 30 countries. The establishment of the Azersilah Defense Industry Holding in 2023 created a new stage in terms of managing defense industry enterprises based on unified principles, expanding production capabilities, developing new-generation weapons, and advancing international cooperation.”
Domestic production is of strategic importance
Arzu Naghiyev said that amid geopolitical instability, problems in supply chains, and various restrictions in the modern world, having its own defense industry is one of the important elements of a state's defense capability: “If steps had not been taken in this direction in the past, the army's dependence on foreign supplies could have remained at a higher level, and the domestic production and technological base might not have developed so rapidly. The use of weapons, ammunition, unmanned aerial vehicles, and other products manufactured by Azerbaijan's domestic defense industry in real combat conditions during the Patriotic War also provided important experience for the development of this industry. The experience of the war created additional opportunities for improving products and developing new technological solutions at the subsequent stage.”
“Made in Azerbaijan” opens new opportunities in the defense industry
The committee chairman pointed out that one of the main tasks facing Azerbaijan is to expand the export geography while further increasing the production capabilities and technological level of the domestic defense industry: “International exhibitions such as ADEX are of great importance in this process. Such platforms make it possible to present Azerbaijani products to potential buyers and partners, establish new contacts, and develop military-technical cooperation. At the same time, strict compliance with international obligations, export control regimes, and applicable legal requirements in the export process is an important condition for strengthening Azerbaijan's position as a reliable partner. At the next stage, the goal should not only be to increase production volumes, but also to expand the range of higher-technology, competitive defense products that are in demand in international markets.”
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