Azerbaijani Armed Forces Facts for Kids

The Azerbaijani Armed Forces (Azerbaijani: Azərbaycan Silahlı Qüvvələri) is the official military of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

This military has three main parts: the Azerbaijani Land Force (soldiers on land), the Azerbaijani Air Force (planes and pilots), and the Azerbaijani Navy (ships and sailors). There are also other groups that help with defense but are not part of the main armed forces. These include the Azerbaijani National Guard, the Internal Troops of Azerbaijan, and the State Border Service of Azerbaijan. The Border Service protects Azerbaijan's borders with countries like Georgia, Russia, Iran, Turkey, and Armenia.

The Emblem of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces

What are the Azerbaijani Armed Forces?
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What are the Azerbaijani Armed Forces?

The Azerbaijani Armed Forces are the official military of Azerbaijan. Their main job is to protect the country and its people. They are made up of different groups that work together to keep Azerbaijan safe.

What are the main parts of the military?

The armed forces are divided into three main branches:

Land Force: These are the soldiers who fight on land. They use tanks, artillery, and other ground vehicles.
Air Force: This branch uses airplanes and helicopters. They protect the skies and can also support ground troops.
Navy: The navy operates ships and boats. They protect Azerbaijan's waters, especially in the Caspian Sea.

Besides these, there are other important groups that help with national defense. These include the National Guard, Internal Troops, and the State Border Service. These groups can also be called upon to help defend the country if needed.

Who leads the armed forces?

The top leader of the military is the President of Azerbaijan, who is currently Ilham Aliyev. He is called the Commander-in-Chief. The Ministry of Defense handles the overall plans and rules for the military. The current head of the Ministry of Defense is Safar Abiyev. The day-to-day military actions are managed by the General Staff. The Chief of Staff, who leads this group, is Colonel-General Najmaddin Sadigov.

How many soldiers does Azerbaijan have?

Since the Soviet Union ended, Azerbaijan has been working hard to make its military strong and modern. They want a professional army that is well-trained and can move quickly. In 2007, Azerbaijan had about 66,940 active soldiers. They also had about 15,000 troops in paramilitary groups. Many other people, about 300,000, have served in the military in the past 15 years.

When were the armed forces created?

Azerbaijan first created its armed forces and a Ministry of Defense on June 26, 1918. This happened when Azerbaijan became independent for the first time as the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, after the Russian Empire fell apart. However, in 1920, the Soviet Union took over Azerbaijan, and the armed forces were disbanded.

The Azerbaijani Armed Forces and Ministry of Defense were started again in 1991. This was when Azerbaijan became independent for the second and final time, after the Soviet Union collapsed. The new armed forces were formed from the former Soviet military units that were in Azerbaijan at that time.

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U.S. Army War College Center for Strategic Leadership, Transformation of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces, October 2008

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Two Azerbaijani soldiers from the Guba military unit of Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (1919).
Officers of the army of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic in 1918.
Cadets of the Baku Higher All-Arms Command School during a parade in Baku in 1960.
A Guard of Honor during a parade in Baku in 1966.
Azerbaijan has a dozen 300mm salvo rocket systems 9A52 "Smerch" with a range of 70-90 km.
S-300 PMU2 during a military parade in Baku 2011.
The Marauder is a South African armored vehicle made under license in Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijani Special Forces unit in a Turkish-made Otokar Cobra vehicle.
Nasosnaya Air Base in Azerbaijan, with Gen. Tom Hobbins, U.S. Air Forces in Europe commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Gary Coleman, USAFE command chief, Lt. Col. Elmar Hüseynov.
Azerbaijan sent 150 peacekeepers during the Iraq War.
The Cadets of the Corps of Drums of the Jamshid Nakhchivanski Military Lyceum.
Azerbaijani higher military cadets.