10:02     20 November 2023    

It is good omen that civilian and military leadership of both countries is on same page to further strengthening of bilateral military cooperation between two countries guaranteeing regional peace, stability and of course national sovereignty and territorial integrity. Moreover, emerging geopolitical manuals and geostrategic compulsions have encouraged both sides to foster strong, stable and sustainable bilateral military cooperation. In this regard, both countries have numerous converging points. The increasing military cooperation between Armenia and India has become potential threat to regional peace and stability. After acquisition of Pinaka Rockets and missiles Armenia has now bought Indian Anti-Drone System developed by Zen Anti-Drone System (ZADS) indicating its unending war hysteria. In 2022, India also inked the deal to supply PINAKA multi-barrel rocket launchers (MBRL), anti-tank munitions, and ammunition worth US$250 million to Armenia which should be seen a burgeoning of defense ties between Armenia and India sabotaging peace and stability in the region. To neutralize the increasing military ties between Armenia and India the leadership of both countries took numerous steps which has now further consolidated military cooperation in terms of military education, training, holding of joint drills, anti-terrorism capacity building, secret information sharing and joint defense production. In this context, the most recent visit of Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, Asim Munir’s visit to Baku has further enhanced military-to-military cooperation and defence collaboration between the two countries which has also trilateral security dialogue with Türkiye. The detailed meetings with Azerbaijan's military and civil leadership including President H.E. Ilham Aliyev, the defence minister, 1st deputy minister and chief of general staff and commander of air force vividly reflected strong mutual commitment of both sides. Emphasizing of both sides on enhancing cooperation in the fields of defence and training would further enhance operational readiness of both countries’ armed forces. The appreciation of President Ilham for achieving the fruitful defense industry cooperation between the two countries rightly underscored the significance of conducting joint military training and increasing military cooperation. Moreover, President Ilham expressed optimism that COAS’s visit to Azerbaijan would further solidify the cooperative relationship between the two countries. High-level military talks and exchanges have been a common feature of both sides. Discussions on military training, experience sharing, and defense cooperation have been frequently covered in these exchanges. Obviously, singing of various defense agreements between Azerbaijan and Pakistan aimed to foster military cooperation, information sharing, and joint exercises. These agreements may also be further enhanced through cooperation in areas such as defense industry, training, and equipment procurement. Azerbaijan remains largest buyer of defense hardware from Pakistan, such as armored vehicles, small arms, and other military hardware. Additionally, both countries expressed interest in working together on counterterrorism initiatives, such as intelligence sharing and joint operations. The visit of Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, Asim Munir, to Baku has further brightened the scope of mutual cooperation in terms of infrastructure development, de-mining operations, mining exploration in the liberated areas, military cooperation/joint military manufacturing, training, defense education, combined military drills, anti-terrorism cooperation, and last but not least, further strengthening of bilateral & trilateral strategic military cooperation with Azerbaijan and Türkiye. Moreover, the visit of General Asim has also specific diplomatic maneuvering because of increasing bilateral military ties between Armenia and India. In September 2021, the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan, Türkiye, and Pakistan jointly conducted their first-ever joint drills, known as “Three Brothers-2021,” in Baku. Both sides have also signed Shusha declaration. Obviously three countries are also jointly working for the joint venture of 5th Generation Hybrid Fighter Plane which would be regional equalizer in the days to come. The General Asim’S visit would be game changer in their bilateral relations in the days to come. It hopes that bilateral relations would be further strengthened in diverse sectors of economy, politics, investments, food & energy cooperation, military cooperation, joint drills, training and last but not least air force cooperation. On its part, Pakistan has been helping Azerbaijan in terms of military and air force training in Pakistan. Both the countries have been in serious negotiations for the sale of JF-17 Thunder-III with Azerbaijan which is now at advance stage. Both countries have been extending their expertise in modern warfare which proved terminal in the 2nd War of Karbakah. In the past, former Pakistan Chiefs of Air Forces, Naval and General Nadeem Raz paid personal visits to Baku and extended their support for the mutually befitting propositions of resettlement, redevelopment, reinvestments, and reconstruction of all the newly liberated areas of Karabakh Region. Furthermore, Azerbaijan Naval Commander visited Pakistan and met with Naval and armed Forces chiefs and discussed matters of mutual interest pertaining to regional peace and stability which has now further strengthened scope, domain and prospects of air force and naval cooperation between two the two countries. Even Director General of FWO paid visit to Baku and explored various avenues of mutual cooperation in infrastructural projects, cleaning of deadly landmines and prospective cooperation in gold mining. In the past, Pakistan and Azerbaijan signed the “Bilateral Military Cooperation Agreement” which consequently geared up military cooperation between two countries. Critical analysis reveals that Azerbaijan and Pakistan hold relatively similar weaponry and military vehicle systems which would be common bench mark to proceed further. It is suggested that proposed military cooperation may also include regular military exercises between the comparable services of both armed forces. Exchange of valuable strategic information as well as common approaches towards the territorial armed conflict postures can be a natural extension in improving bilateral relations in defence. There is an immense potential of joint ventures in the production of war drones, unmanned fighter jets, submarines, missile technology and light arms which should be initiated as soon as possible. It is, therefore, important for Pakistan to seriously move forward for the imports of military equipment (fighter aircraft, tanks or rockets) to Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan’s Istiglal anti-material rifles and other small arms are also ideal for use in mountainous and tough terrains. Pakistan should consider including them in its basket given their competitive price, high quality and efficiency. The two countries should also extend cooperation in the area of arms trade and develop a framework of sales of small arms and heavy military equipment according to the needs of each state in order to address the specific needs of the security sector. This framework can include bartering of arms based on “preferred customer” program, thus, reducing budgetary expenditures. Furthermore, bilateral cooperation in the joint production of modern electronic war gadgetries, night vision weapons in terms of night vision monoculars, binoculars, Goggles (NVG) and night vision rifle scopes along with tactical sensors and anti-radar electronic devices should be further enhanced. The author of the article is an Executive Director: The Center for South & International Studies (CSIS) Islamabad

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