“Azerbaijan’s Military Build-up”

Sumgait air base with it MIG-29's

Global Geo-politics often shape the way we perceive events and potential threats. And while super powers on all sides, manipulate media to garner public opinion towards there foreign policy objectives the objectiveness in mass media is a concern. Currently the world has its eyes on North Korea, Iran and Syria all a threat to Western policy makers. Military build ups are not a thing of the past and as the Cold War has deteriorated, over time, many nations have fallen into the trap of large scale military build ups. Often overlooked is the massive build-up of arms with Azerbaijan.

An ally of the West, it has largely escaped media and bad press largely due to its lucrative oil deals with multi-national companies in the US and UK. The small scale cold war between Russian ally Armenia, and Turkish/Nato ally Azerbaijan is one that has been off the radar in Western Media outlets. The motivated rhetoric from Azerbaijani’s and its President Aliyev towards the Armenians has not filtered out to the media in western news outlets though the large scale persecution of the inhabitants of Nagorno Karabagh were part of the media during the Soviet era even in the West, reaching as far as Australian news.

Since the 1994 cease fire both sides have been digging in with Armenia in a defensive position due to its vulnerability as a smaller nation and its fear of a retaliatory attack from the losing side.The Armenian side is a heavily fortified line of trenches interconnected to form a defensive barrier needed to repel an attack.  In the early years of military build-up, Armenia with its advantage in discipline, kept the upper hand behind a much larger Azerbaijani military budget with superior trenches, defensive positions and more cohesiveness in its ranks. In the year 2013 the tides have dramatically turned, Armenia with its approx 400 million dollar military budget is falling behind against Azerbaijan’s approx 2.5 and possible 3.7 billion dollar budget. (Depending on various sources).

Azerbaijan’s military is one to reckon with, there trench systems have surpassed its counterparts on the Armenian side with longer lines interconnecting, forming formidable defensive and offensive positions.  Its air defense systems one of the most capable in the world, though limited in a more sophisticated theater of war it can repel a variety of air targets. S300PMU-2 air defense system with its two batteries and 6 launch vehicles each, provides the top tier of its air defense. Though a limited 6 launch simultaneous capability for each battery it still provides an anti-stealth and ballistic capability. The state of the art system nulls Armenia’s Scud B ballistic missiles which were intended to provide Armenia a direct hit on Baku oilfields, city and other strategic targets.  

Azerbaijan recent purchase of BUK-M1 air defense system provides another layer in its air defense, with its cruise missile capability and shoots and scoot maneuverability it adds another level of protection to the nation. Azerbaijan also posse’s a handful of short to medium altitude air defense systems with new upgrade packages from Ukraine and Israel. What does this mean? Well, not only this voids a chance of Armenia in entering its air space, it diminishes possibilities and possibly excludes small low level operations for close air support, and will potentially debunk Armenian ballistic missile attacks on its oil fields. It also denies larger powers a limited level of attack capability if an international intervention is needed.

Its air force has had a face lift as well, with Israeli modification on the SU-25 bombers, equipped with new edge night vision, landing stability controls and new lock on missile avionics the SU-25 would be the best in its class. The MIG 29 procurements from Ukraine and its upgrades closely resemble Armenian MIG-29 variant at Gyumri base. The Fulcrum C type with minimum air to ground avionics though capable in air to air combat provides a strong fleet of highly maneuverable air force fighter jets protecting the skies of Azerbaijan and providing an additional but limited air to ground capability.

UAV’s are another ballgame in the sphere of real-time warfare. With real time footage of the battle field these capabilities will provide an edge on the battlefield. Azerbaiajan’s UAV’s are also Israeli made and designed, providing a high level of technology in this department.

 In other fields of procurement is Russia’s Rostvertol  MI-35 helicopter the upraded version of the MI-24 are part of the larger sales of Azerbaijan,  providing it with relatively well upgraded helicopter package. Its attack capabilities in well needed mountainous terrain, provide better night vision and low level attack possibilities. The list continues with Smerch multiple launch rocket systems the largest and most devastating in its class which would be coupled with the Israeli made Lynx systems which are a light vehicle multiple launch rocket system also the most sophisticated in this class. Limiting the mention of its larger arsenal of Soviet made artillery and mortar equipment, the current inventory of artillery and multiple launch rocket systems provide a horrific arsenal in softening up defensive positions in the next conflict. It will also devastate the region. The military build-up has not only entered a new stage in its procurement of large amounts of heavy equipment but it’s also takes a step in technological advances.

So in a nutshell, its upgraded air force the Su-25 providing close range accurate support which out-class Armenian Su-25 counterparts, upgraded M1-35, will also provide support in mountainous terrain which again outclasses its Armenian opponent possibly evading air defense systems flying under radar in the mountainous region of Kelbajar. Its multiple launch rocket systems from Israel will provide accurate shelling of communication lines and defensive positions. And lastly there air defense systems will provide them the confidence in repelling of any retaliatory attack with Armenian ballistic, fighter jet capability and most importantly denies larger powers to intervene.

This large scale military build-up has its own merit, a relatively large build up considering the size of the nation. What its true battlefield capabilities are is something of different analyses needed. Though nevertheless a keen eye must be kept on Azerbaijan, as Alyev’s rhetoric has pre-empted a resumption of hostilities. And its continued arms build-up can have devastating effects not only for Armenia though for the region itself. Why this large scale military build-up has been out of Western media is something that needs to be dealt with as the hypocrisy of the West turning a blind eye towards an ally is nothing new.  When the next conflict arises another level of resentment towards the Azerbaijan’s from all people in the Caucasus is inevitable. 

Sources

Ria Navosti
Imint Analsyis
Rostvertol
Google Earth
CIA Factbook