Azerbaijan, Turkey to hold large-scale military exercises (UPDATE)

Details added (first version posted on 11:11)

Azerbaijan will host large-scale operational and technical exercises on September 13-20 involving all types of troops of Azerbaijani armed forces, in accordance with the plan, approved by Azerbaijani President, Supreme Commander Ilham Aliyev.

The exercises will also involve the military units of the armed forces of Turkey, Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said Sept. 12.

The ministry said it is planned to examine cooperation and coordination of all intelligence services of the armed forces, special forces, air forces, including air defense forces during the first phase of the exercises.

In the second phase, assignments will be carried out on organizing and holding offensive operations of the land forces under various conditions, including in mountainous terrain, tactical air assault landing, the use of raid and advance squads, and comprehensive support of operations.

Under the personal instructions of the supreme commander, nearly 10,000 reservists will be involved in the military gathering to check the level of execution of tasks on mobilizing military units and formations.

Practical exercises on the use of various types of weapons, moral and psychological training and coordination will be conducted as part of the military exercises.

The third phase will feature motorized rifle and tank divisions carrying out firing exercises at landfills, including firing exercises using missile and artillery installations, anti-aircraft missiles, combat aircraft and helicopters.

The practical missile launches and bombing will also be carried out.

The exercises will involve about 30,000 servicemen, over 250 armored vehicles, 150 artillery and missile units, up to 20 aircraft and 15 helicopters of the air forces, including the air defense units and air defense formations, which are armed with modern air defense systems.