Azerbaijan's Iskander Missile Systems: A Strategic Military Advantage

Azerbaijan and Armenia have had a tumultuous relationship since the collapse of the Soviet Union. The Second Nagorno-Karabakh War in 2020, which resulted in a Russian and Turkish-brokered ceasefire, is a case in point. In the final days of this conflict, Armenia allegedly fired a Russian-made Iskander ballistic missile at Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan. This incident has brought to light the complex dynamics between the two countries and their allies, with Russia being a key player.

The Iskander missile is a Russian mobile short-range ballistic missile system with a range of 500 kilometres. Armenia acquired these missiles in 2016 and reportedly used them during the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War. However, there is conflicting information about their effectiveness, with some claiming they were shot down by Azerbaijan's defence system and others stating they didn't explode or had minimal impact.

The controversy surrounding the use of Iskander missiles has had political repercussions in Armenia, with public disputes between Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and military leaders. Additionally, it has fuelled Azerbaijani mistrust of Russia, as Moscow initially denied supplying these weapons to Armenia. The situation remains unresolved, with Russia continuing to deny the allegations.

Azerbaijan's use of Israeli combat and surveillance drones in the Nagorno-Karabakh War

Azerbaijan's use of Israeli combat and surveillance drones played a significant role in its military success in the Nagorno-Karabakh War. The country's drone fleet, composed of Turkish and Israeli UAVs, was instrumental in targeting and destroying Armenian defences, enabling a swift Azerbaijani advance.

Israel has long been suspected of supplying powerful weapons to Azerbaijan, including drones, ahead of its offensive campaigns. In the lead-up to the September 2023 assault, for example, Azerbaijani military cargo planes were observed flying between a southern Israeli airbase and an airfield near Nagorno-Karabakh. Israel is believed to have strategic interests in the region, including Azerbaijan's role as a critical source of oil and a staunch ally against Iran.

The use of drones in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict offered a glimpse into the future of warfare. The relatively low-cost drones provided Azerbaijan with air power and precision strike capabilities, allowing them to destroy Armenian tanks, artillery, and air defence systems. The drones also played a crucial role in surveillance and reconnaissance, identifying targets for Azerbaijani forces.

The success of Azerbaijani drones in the conflict has raised questions about the effectiveness of traditional military equipment such as tanks and armoured vehicles. While these weapons still have their place in warfare, the importance of integrating them with drone technology and other advanced weapons systems has become increasingly apparent.

The use of Israeli drones by Azerbaijan highlights the complex international dynamics at play in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. With Israel's support, Azerbaijan was able to gain a significant military advantage over Armenia, leading to a decisive victory. The role of drones in this conflict underscores the evolving nature of warfare and the increasing reliance on technology and strategic alliances.

The role of Russian-made weapons in the Nagorno-Karabakh War

The Second Nagorno-Karabakh War was an armed conflict that took place in 2020 between Azerbaijan and Armenia. It was a major escalation of an unresolved conflict over the region, involving Azerbaijan, Armenia, and the self-declared Armenian breakaway state of Artsakh. The war lasted for 44 days and resulted in an Azerbaijani victory.

During the conflict, both sides employed a range of weaponry, including drones, sensors, long-range heavy artillery, and missile strikes. Azerbaijan's widespread use of drones was seen as a crucial factor in determining the conflict's outcome.

One notable instance of Russian-made weapons being used in the war was Armenia's reported deployment of the Iskander ballistic missile. The Iskander is a Russian-made, road-mobile short-range ballistic missile with a range of up to 500 km. It can carry several types of conventional warheads and is also capable of carrying nuclear warheads.

There were multiple reports of Armenia using the Iskander missile against Azerbaijan during the conflict. A senior Armenian official claimed that Yerevan launched at least one short-range Iskander ballistic missile, with Russian encouragement and material support. However, these claims were disputed by other sources, including the Russian Defense Ministry, which stated that all Iskander missiles supplied to Armenia were safely in storage.

Amid the conflict, Armenia also possessed other advanced Russian-made weapons, including the S-300 surface-to-air missile systems and Su-30 fighter jets. However, it was reported that these weapons played a limited role or were not used at all during the six-week war.

In conclusion, the role of Russian-made weapons in the Nagorno-Karabakh War was significant, particularly with regards to the reported use of the Iskander ballistic missile by Armenia. The conflict also highlighted the military capabilities and technological advancements of both sides, with Azerbaijan's effective use of drones and sensors, and Armenia's use of long-range artillery and missile strikes.

The political fallout in Armenia following the Nagorno-Karabakh War

The Second Nagorno-Karabakh War, which lasted from September 27 to November 9, 2020, resulted in significant political fallout in Armenia. The war ended with a Russian-brokered ceasefire, leading to a defeat for Armenia and the loss of territory to Azerbaijan. Here are some key aspects of the political fallout in Armenia following the Nagorno-Karabakh War:

• Territorial Losses and Refugee Crisis: Armenia suffered territorial losses as a result of the war. Azerbaijan reclaimed the seven districts surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh and captured about one-third of Nagorno-Karabakh itself. This led to a massive displacement of the ethnic Armenian population, with almost the entire population of Nagorno-Karabakh fleeing to Armenia within a week after the war. The refugee crisis placed significant strain on Armenia, which had to cope with the influx of refugees and the challenge of reintegrating them into society.
• Internal Political Conflict: Armenia experienced significant political turmoil and infighting among its military and political leaders. Former Armenian President Serge Sarkissian publicly criticized Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan for the handling of the conflict, specifically accusing him of failing to utilize the Russian Iskander missiles effectively. This triggered a series of events, including a public dispute between Pashinyan and the military top command, with the General Staff demanding Pashinyan's ouster. Pashinyan, in turn, accused the military leadership of attempting a coup and called on his supporters to take to the streets. The political crisis deepened the divisions within Armenia and raised questions about the country's leadership and stability.
• Public Protests and Calls for Resignation: The war's outcome sparked widespread protests in Yerevan, with demonstrators accusing the government of failing to protect ethnic Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh and demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. The protests reflected a deep sense of dissatisfaction and anger among the Armenian public toward the government's handling of the conflict and its failure to secure a favorable outcome.
• Military Reform and Tensions with Russia: Pashinyan announced a reform of the Armenian Armed Forces in close cooperation with Russia, seeking to improve the country's military capabilities and address the shortcomings exposed during the war. However, Armenia's relationship with Russia, its key military ally, became strained due to the controversy surrounding the use of Iskander missiles and Russia's perceived failure to provide adequate support during the conflict.
• Loss of Trust in Russia as a Security Guarantor: The role of Russia as a mediator and peacekeeper in the region also faced scrutiny. Despite the presence of Russian peacekeepers, Azerbaijan launched a military offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh in September 2023 and tightened its control over the region. This raised questions about Russia's effectiveness in ensuring Armenia's security and protecting the interests of ethnic Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh.
• International Mediation and Border Tensions: The war's aftermath saw continued efforts by international mediators, particularly the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group, to negotiate a lasting peace agreement and address border tensions. However, periodic violations of the ceasefire and cross-border clashes between Armenia and Azerbaijan continued to occur, highlighting the fragile nature of the peace and the ongoing challenges in reaching a comprehensive resolution to the conflict.

Azerbaijan's relationship with Russia after the Nagorno-Karabakh War

Azerbaijan's relationship with Russia has been complex since the Nagorno-Karabakh War. While Russia and Turkey brokered the ceasefire that ended the war, and Russia deployed peacekeepers to the region, Azerbaijan has also accused Russia of supporting Armenia during the conflict.

Russia and Turkey negotiated the ceasefire that ended the six-week war on November 10, 2020. The agreement resulted in Azerbaijan regaining control of territories lost in the First Nagorno-Karabakh War, including one-third of Nagorno-Karabakh itself. Approximately 2,000 Russian peacekeepers were deployed to the region for a minimum of five years, with a mandate to monitor the Lachin corridor, the only passage between Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh.

Despite Russia's role in negotiating the ceasefire, Azerbaijan has accused Russia of supporting Armenia during the conflict. Armenia acquired Russian Iskander missiles in 2016, and there are conflicting claims about whether these were used against Azerbaijan during the war. A senior Armenian official claimed that Russia encouraged Armenia to use the missiles and provided material support for their launch. However, the Russian Defence Ministry denied that the missiles were used, stating that they were "safely in storage". An anonymous Azerbaijani official also claimed that Armenian forces fired an Iskander missile at Baku, which was shot down by an Israeli-made Barak 8 missile defence system.

Russia has long been Armenia's primary arms supplier, and the two countries are military allies. However, Russia also sells arms to Azerbaijan, and in February 2022, Russia and Azerbaijan signed a "Declaration of Allied Interaction", elevating military ties between the two countries. The agreement includes provisions for joint military operations and mutual defence.

Following the Nagorno-Karabakh War, both Russia and the European Union have increased their presence in Armenia along the border with Azerbaijan to improve stability and deter further offensives. However, Russia's effectiveness as a security guarantor has been questioned due to its passive response to Azerbaijan's blockade of the Lachin corridor in 2022.

The role of the Israeli-made Barak-8 missile defence system in the Nagorno-Karabakh War

The Second Nagorno-Karabakh War between Armenia and Azerbaijan took place from September 27 to November 9, 2020, and resulted in a clear military victory for Azerbaijan. The conflict featured a diverse array of weapons, including drones, missiles, and rocket artillery. Notably, both sides utilized advanced missile defense systems, with Azerbaijan employing the Israeli-made Barak-8 missile defense system.

The Barak-8, jointly developed by India and Israel, is a surface-to-air missile (SAM) system capable of defending against various airborne threats such as aircraft, helicopters, anti-ship missiles, UAVs, ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and combat jets. The system has both maritime and land-based variants and is designed to provide 360-degree coverage. The missiles can intercept incoming threats as close as 500 meters away.

Azerbaijan's use of the Barak-8 system played a crucial role in the conflict. According to reports, the system successfully intercepted and shot down an Armenian Iskander ballistic missile that was launched towards Baku, Azerbaijan's capital, in the final days of the war. This incident highlighted the effectiveness of the Barak-8 system in countering ballistic missile attacks. The downing of the Iskander missile is believed to have influenced Azerbaijan's decision to accept the ceasefire that ended the conflict.

The successful interception of the Iskander missile demonstrated the capabilities of the Barak-8 system and its ability to defend against advanced missile threats. The system's performance in the Nagorno-Karabakh War underscores the importance of full-spectrum air defense capabilities and the role they play in modern warfare. The conflict served as a case study in the character of modern air and missile warfare, where the synchronization of weapons systems, such as drones and artillery, can have a decisive impact on the battlefield.

Overall, the role of the Israeli-made Barak-8 missile defense system in the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War was significant. Its successful interception of the Armenian Iskander missile not only protected Baku but also contributed to the eventual ceasefire and conclusion of the conflict. The system's performance highlighted the importance of advanced air defense capabilities and their potential to shape the outcome of military engagements.

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