Turkey's Military Strikes: Azerbaijan's Strategic Response

The Second Nagorno-Karabakh War between Armenia and Azerbaijan, which ended on November 10, 2020, with an Azerbaijani victory, was marked by the deployment of drones, sensors, long-range heavy artillery, and missile strikes. Turkey's military support for Azerbaijan was significant, and included the provision of unmanned aerial vehicles and military advisors. However, the outcome of the conflict cannot be solely attributed to these factors, as Turkey has been building Azerbaijan's armed forces for three decades, since the dissolution of the Soviet Union. The strong ethnic, cultural, and historic ties between Turkey and Azerbaijan, referred to as two states, one nation, have shaped their relationship and Turkey's role in the conflict.

Turkey's military support for Azerbaijan in the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War

Turkey's military involvement in the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War can be traced back to the end of the Cold War. In 1992, shortly after Azerbaijan gained independence, the two countries signed their first agreement on military training cooperation, which was ratified by the Turkish Parliament the following year. This agreement allowed Azerbaijani cadets, young officers, and mid-level command staff to receive education and training at various Turkish military academies. Over the years, this collaboration intensified, with joint military drills and the establishment of the Agreement on Strategic Partnership and Mutual Support in 2010.

Turkey's contribution to Azerbaijan's armament program was also significant. While Turkey is not the largest defence supplier to Azerbaijan, it has provided military equipment, including drones and rocket launchers. The Bayraktar TB2 drones played a crucial role in Azerbaijan's victory, conducting reconnaissance and precise strikes against Armenian targets. Additionally, there are reports that Turkey sent military drone operators to assist Azerbaijan during the conflict.

However, Turkey's most significant contribution was its three-decade-long effort in building and modernising Azerbaijan's armed forces. After gaining independence, Azerbaijan chose to build its military based on Western standards, with Turkey offering assistance. This process involved training and education, as well as the founding and reorganisation of military education and training institutions in Azerbaijan. As a result, the Azerbaijani military developed a strong human resource capacity and effective command skills, gradually moving away from the former Soviet influence.

Turkey's role in the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War extended beyond military support. Turkey supported Azerbaijan politically and economically, imposing a full economic embargo on Armenia alongside Azerbaijan and closing its border with Armenia. Additionally, Turkey has been a staunch supporter of Azerbaijan's efforts to preserve its territorial integrity and exploit its natural resources in the Caspian Sea.

In conclusion, Turkey's military support for Azerbaijan in the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War was multifaceted and played a pivotal role in Azerbaijan's victory. The strong relationship between the two countries, coupled with Turkey's regional aspirations, ensured that Turkey would actively contribute to Azerbaijan's military capabilities and provide diplomatic and economic backing.

Turkey's role in supplying drones to Azerbaijan

In the conflict with Armenia, Turkey supplied Azerbaijan with armed drones, notably the Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2 and Israeli-made Hermes 900. These drones played a crucial role in Azerbaijan's victory, as they were used for reconnaissance and to strike enemy positions. The Bayraktar TB2, in particular, could be equipped with smart ammunition and was effective in taking out Armenian tanks, air defence systems, and missile batteries.

In addition to supplying drones, Turkey also provided military training to Azerbaijani officers and conducted joint military exercises. Turkey is Azerbaijan's third-largest supplier of military equipment, and there are over 20 Turkish defence industry companies with cooperative relations with the country. The close military cooperation between the two countries has been a significant factor in strengthening Azerbaijan's military capabilities and ultimately contributed to their success in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

Turkey's advisory role in Azerbaijan's operational plans and command

Azerbaijan and Turkey have historically shared strong relations, with both countries referring to their relationship as "one nation, two states". Turkey was the first country to recognise Azerbaijan's independence in 1918 and again in 1991 after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Since then, Turkey has been a strong supporter of Azerbaijan in its efforts to consolidate its independence, preserve its territorial integrity and realise its economic potential.

The two countries have cooperated closely on defence and security since 1992, with Turkey providing military training to Azerbaijani officers for decades. In August 2022, the two countries conducted large-scale military exercises together. Turkey is also Azerbaijan's third-largest supplier of military equipment, known to have sold drones and rocket launchers.

Turkey's most significant contribution to Azerbaijan's victory in the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War was three decades of meticulous army building. This included training and education in Turkey, as well as the founding and reorganisation of military education and training institutions in Azerbaijan. As a result, the Azerbaijani military developed a strong human-resource capacity and effective command skills.

Turkey's army-building process in Azerbaijan was in line with NATO policies toward partner countries. Azerbaijan's participation in NATO operations has shown that a military from a former Soviet republic can achieve the alliance's standards through an army-building process led by Turkey.

Turkey's military influence in Azerbaijan is also evident in the latter's weaponry. Turkish TB2 Bayraktar drones played a critical role in Azerbaijan's victory over Armenia, but they are not the only Turkish weaponry in Azerbaijan's arsenal. Other acquisitions include the Dragoneye electro-optic sensor system, Cobra II armoured vehicles, TRG-300 guided multiple launch rocket systems, TRLG-230 laser-guided missiles, and the T-122 Sakarya multiple launch rocket system.

In addition to military cooperation, Turkey has supported Azerbaijan politically and through arms supplies. In September 2022, Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar reiterated Turkey's support for Azerbaijan in its conflict with Armenia.

Turkey's involvement in building Azerbaijan's armed forces

Turkey has been instrumental in building Azerbaijan's armed forces, with the two countries sharing strong ethnic, cultural, and historic ties. Their close relationship, often described as "one nation, two states" by former Azerbaijani president Heydar Aliyev, was solidified when Turkey became the first country to recognize Azerbaijan's independence in 1918 and again in 1991 after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Turkey's military has been training Azerbaijani officers for decades, with the first agreement on military training cooperation between the two countries being signed in 1992. This agreement allowed Azerbaijani cadets, young officers, and mid-level command staff to receive an education at various Turkish military academies. Turkey also contributed to the founding and reorganization of Azerbaijan's military education and training institutions.

In 2010, the collaboration reached new heights with the Agreement on Strategic Partnership and Mutual Support, which resulted in Azerbaijani military personnel participating in Turkish military exercises and conducting reciprocal military visits.

Turkey has also been a key supplier of military equipment to Azerbaijan, ranking as its third-largest provider after Russia and Israel. Turkish weaponry in Azerbaijan's arsenal includes the TB2 Bayraktar drones, Dragoneye electro-optic sensor systems, Cobra II armored vehicles, TRG-300 guided multiple launch rocket systems, and T-122 Sakarya multiple launch rocket systems, among others.

In addition to providing military equipment and training, Turkey has supported Azerbaijan politically and through joint military drills, aiming to improve combat interoperability. This support was particularly evident during the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh War between Azerbaijan and Armenia, where Turkey supplied arms and provided diplomatic backing.

The strong military cooperation between Turkey and Azerbaijan has contributed to the development of Azerbaijan's armed forces, enhancing their human-resource capacity and command skills.

Turkey's denial of sending Syrian fighters and F-16 jets to assist Azerbaijan

Turkey has denied Armenian claims that it sent Syrian mercenaries and F-16 combat jets to assist Azerbaijan in the conflict over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region. Ankara has asserted that Azerbaijan has the capacity to fight without Turkish support.

The Turkish government's denial comes despite reports from the Britain-based opposition war monitor, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, that as many as 850 Syrian fighters have been sent to Azerbaijan. Additionally, satellite images obtained by The War Zone show at least two F-16 Viper fighter jets, almost certainly belonging to the Turkish Air Force, at Ganja International Airport in Azerbaijan. The images, dated October 3, 2020, serve as the first hard evidence of the jets' presence in the country after fighting broke out with Armenia.

Turkey's involvement in the conflict is not surprising given the strong ethnic, cultural, and historic ties between the two countries. Turkey was one of the first countries to recognize Azerbaijan's independence and has since been a staunch supporter of its efforts to consolidate its independence and preserve its territorial integrity. However, Turkey has no diplomatic relations with Armenia and sealed its border with the country in 1993 in solidarity with Azerbaijan over the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute.

While Turkey has repeatedly offered its support to Azerbaijan, there is no evidence of its active involvement in the conflict. Turkey's military involvement appears to be more rhetorical than substantive at this point.

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