Azerbaijan's Nuclear Arsenal: A Threat To Regional Stability?

Azerbaijan has consistently expressed interest in constructing a nuclear power reactor, but it does not currently possess any nuclear weapons. Azerbaijan has voted in favour of adopting the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) and has supported calls to fill the legal gap in the UN General Assembly. Azerbaijan has also signed and ratified the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), which prohibits nuclear weapon test explosions and any other nuclear explosions anywhere in the world.

Azerbaijan has no nuclear weapons, but it does have ballistic missiles

Azerbaijan does not possess nuclear weapons. However, the country has expressed interest in the construction of a nuclear power reactor, with plans for a nuclear research reactor approved by the IAEA in 2015. Azerbaijan has also consistently voted in favour of the annual UN General Assembly resolutions on the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) and participated in the negotiation of the treaty in 2017.

Azerbaijan has taken steps to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons and has ratified several international treaties related to nuclear security and disarmament. These include the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), and the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Materials (CPPNM). The country has also signed the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism (ICSANT) and the Outer Space Treaty.

While Azerbaijan has no nuclear weapons, it does possess ballistic missiles, including LORA and EXTRA missiles. These missiles have been used in conflicts with Armenia, with limited use reported during the 44-day war in 2020. Azerbaijan inherited Tochka ballistic missiles after the collapse of the Soviet Union and has also purchased additional missiles from Israel.

The presence of ballistic missiles in Azerbaijan highlights the country's military capabilities and its potential to cause significant damage in regional conflicts. While the country has expressed interest in nuclear energy and supported global efforts towards nuclear non-proliferation, the possession of ballistic missiles adds a layer of complexity to the region's security dynamics.

In summary, Azerbaijan has consistently demonstrated its commitment to nuclear non-proliferation and has taken active steps towards strengthening international nuclear security. While the country does not possess nuclear weapons, the presence of ballistic missiles in its arsenal underscores the need for continued vigilance and dialogue to maintain regional stability and peace.

Azerbaijan has expressed interest in building a nuclear power reactor

Azerbaijan has never possessed nuclear weapons, nor did it inherit any when the Soviet Union collapsed. However, the country has consistently expressed interest in constructing a nuclear power reactor. In 2008, the government announced its plans to build a power plant 15 kilometres north of Baku and began negotiations with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The project stalled until 2015, when the IAEA approved Azerbaijan's new strategic plan for a research reactor, which was designed with the help of the French company Areva. The estimated cost of constructing a nuclear reactor is $10 billion.

Azerbaijan's desire to pursue nuclear power has raised questions among experts, especially since the country is energy-rich and has traditionally produced most of its electricity from natural gas. However, the growing domestic demand for electricity is a major driver behind the country's motivation to develop alternative energy sources. Additionally, nuclear power could help Azerbaijan increase its role as a major exporter of natural gas and net electricity.

In 2019, Russia proposed constructing a nuclear power plant in Azerbaijan, stating that it would help the country develop clean and safe energy resources. This proposal attracted further attention, as Russia's state-owned nuclear energy corporation, Rosatom, has been actively expanding its global presence. While Azerbaijan has not officially responded to the proposal, the country's energy minister confirmed that it is under consideration.

Azerbaijan has also taken steps to establish a National Nuclear Research Center under the Ministry of Transport and High Technologies and has joined various international treaties and organisations related to nuclear energy and non-proliferation. These include the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC), the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), and the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT).

Azerbaijan has not signed the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons

Azerbaijan has not signed or ratified the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) as of 2024. However, it has actively promoted universal adherence to the treaty and consistently voted in favour of an annual UN General Assembly resolution since 2018, urging all states to sign, ratify, or accede to the treaty. Azerbaijan also took part in the treaty's negotiation at the United Nations in New York in 2017 and voted in favour of its adoption, along with 121 other states.

Azerbaijan's interest in a nuclear power reactor dates back to at least 2008. In 2015, the IAEA approved plans for a nuclear research reactor in the country. Azerbaijan has also expressed interest in constructing a nuclear power reactor, with an estimated cost of $10 billion.

Azerbaijan has consistently expressed interest in the peaceful use of nuclear energy and has acceded to several treaties and conventions related to nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament. For example, it acceded to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) in 1992 and the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) in 2004. It is also a signatory to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT).

While Azerbaijan has not signed the TPNW, it has supported efforts to fill the "legal gap" in the existing international regime governing nuclear weapons. It voted in favour of the UN General Assembly resolution in 2016, which mandated states to commence negotiations on a legally binding instrument to prohibit and eliminate nuclear weapons.

Azerbaijan's support for the TPNW and its participation in related negotiations demonstrate its commitment to nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament efforts. However, as of 2024, it has not joined the treaty and remains a non-signatory state.

Azerbaijan is a member of the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization

The Preparatory Commission for the CTBTO was established in 1997 to make preparations for the effective implementation of the Treaty, including establishing its verification regime. The main task of the Commission is to establish and provisionally operate the 337-facility International Monitoring System (IMS), which consists of seismic, hydro-acoustic, infrasound, and radionuclide monitoring stations, as well as laboratories for analyzing samples. The IMS detects signs of nuclear explosions and transmits data in real time to the CTBTO International Data Centre (IDC) in Vienna for analysis.

In addition to the IMS, the Commission is also responsible for developing operational manuals, including a manual to guide the conduct of on-site inspections. On-site inspections (OSI) are the most intrusive verification measure under the Treaty and involve a comprehensive search of a designated inspection area of up to 1000 square kilometers. OSI can only be requested by States Parties to the Treaty following its entry into force, and the State Party being inspected cannot refuse to allow it to take place.

The Preparatory Commission also promotes the entry into force of the Treaty and works to establish a global verification regime in preparation for its entry into force. As an interim organization, the Commission will be dissolved once the Treaty enters into force and will be replaced by the CTBTO. As of March 2024, there are 187 Member States of the CTBTO Preparatory Commission, with 178 having ratified the Treaty.

Azerbaijan's membership in the Preparatory Commission for the CTBTO demonstrates its commitment to nuclear non-proliferation and its support for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty. Azerbaijan is also a party to other major non-proliferation treaties, including the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). While Azerbaijan has expressed interest in constructing a nuclear power reactor and possesses ballistic missiles, there is no evidence to suggest that it currently has any nuclear weapons or is pursuing nuclear weapons capabilities.

Azerbaijan has ratified the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons

Azerbaijan has expressed interest in the construction of a nuclear power reactor and possesses ballistic missiles, which it has used in conflict with Armenia. However, it did not inherit any nuclear weapons with the collapse of the Soviet Union. Azerbaijan has ratified the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and is a founding member of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). It has also acceded to the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) and is a party to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC).

The NPT is an international treaty that aims to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and weapons technology, promote cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy, and advance nuclear disarmament. The treaty defines nuclear-weapon states as those that had built and tested a nuclear explosive device before 1 January 1967. These include the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, and China, which are also the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council.

The NPT is based on a central bargain: non-nuclear-weapon states agree never to acquire nuclear weapons, while nuclear-weapon states agree to share the benefits of peaceful nuclear technology and pursue nuclear disarmament. The treaty consists of a preamble and eleven articles, and it is interpreted as having three pillars: non-proliferation, disarmament, and the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

Azerbaijan has consistently expressed interest in universal adherence to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) and has voted in favour of relevant UN General Assembly resolutions since 2018. However, it has not yet signed or ratified the TPNW.

Azerbaijan's commitment to the NPT and its support for the TPNW demonstrate its recognition of the importance of nuclear non-proliferation and its contribution to international efforts in this area.

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