Exploring Azerbaijan's Military Power: Tank Count And Capabilities

Azerbaijan's stock of tanks has been a topic of interest, especially in light of the country's military conflict with Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh region. While there are varying estimates, it is believed that Azerbaijan has a significant number of tanks in its arsenal. According to a 2024 report, Azerbaijan is estimated to have around 920 tanks in its inventory, with a readiness of about 598. The country has been engaged in an arms buildup, leveraging its oil wealth to acquire advanced military systems, including drones and other armoured vehicles. The conflict with Armenia has seen the use of tanks and armoured vehicles by both sides, with reports of tanks being hit by mines, munitions, and anti-tank guided missiles. The dispute has resulted in civilian deaths and the destruction of military equipment, leading to international efforts to broker peace and a ceasefire.

Azerbaijan's use of drones in combat

In the 2020 conflict with Armenia, Azerbaijan utilised drones to target and destroy enemy positions, including Armenian tanks, armoured vehicles, artillery, and air defence systems. The effectiveness of Azerbaijani drones in this conflict has been attributed to several factors. Firstly, the country employed a diverse range of drones, including the Turkish Bayraktar TB2 and Israeli Harop loitering munitions, also known as 'kamikaze' or 'suicide' drones. These drones were effective in taking out Armenian air defences and ground assets, as they could carry precision-guided munitions and laser-guided missiles. Additionally, the Bayraktar TB2 drones, with their ability to cruise at low altitudes, could exploit the weaknesses of older Russian air defence systems used by Armenia.

The use of drones allowed Azerbaijan to adopt a strategy of attrition, relying on precision strikes to destroy high-value targets without exposing themselves to significant risk. This strategy helped Azerbaijan avoid the vulnerabilities associated with extended supply lines that a traditional 'blitzkrieg' assault would entail. The drones also had a demoralising effect on Armenian forces, as their inability to defend against drone attacks led to a rapid accumulation of losses.

The success of Azerbaijani drones in combat has been described as a "magic bullet," showcasing the evolving nature of warfare. Drones provide countries with air power and precision-guided weapons at a fraction of the cost of maintaining a traditional air force. This accessibility of drone technology has shifted the dynamics of long-standing conflicts and exposed the limitations of conventional military equipment and strategies.

While some analysts argue that the era of the traditional tank may be coming to an end due to the increasing prevalence of drones, others attribute Azerbaijan's success more to Armenia's incompetence in training and equipment rather than a fundamental shift in warfare. Nevertheless, the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh highlights the importance of integrating armed drones into military strategies and the need for specific drone defences to protect against such attacks.

Tanks and armoured fighting vehicles

Azerbaijan's military capabilities include a range of tanks and armoured fighting vehicles, which have been deployed in the country's ongoing conflict with Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh region.

In terms of tanks, Azerbaijan has been reported to possess the following:

• T-72 Aslan variant, updated by Israel's Elbit Systems and Rafael.
• 100 T-90S, delivered between 2013 and 2015.
• TOS-1 thermobaric rocket artillery, supplied by Russia.

Azerbaijan has also acquired other armoured fighting vehicles, including:

• BMP-1 and BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicles.
• BTR-82 wheeled armoured personnel carriers.
• Israeli-made loitering munitions, such as the Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) Harop.

The country's military has also been reported to have destroyed a number of Armenian tanks and armoured fighting vehicles during clashes. In one instance, the Azerbaijani Army announced the destruction of 22 Armenian tanks and other armoured vehicles.

Azerbaijan's defence budget

According to Azerbaijani media sources, the country's military expenditures for 2009 were set at US$2.46 billion, but the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute reported that only $1.473 billion was spent that year. The IISS defence budget for 2009 was closer to the Azerbaijani media sources at $1.5 billion.

Azerbaijan has been undergoing extensive modernisation and capacity-expanding programs, and its military capabilities have grown significantly since its victory in the Second Karabakh War in late 2020. The country has signed numerous contracts to strengthen its armed forces and has been training its military with Turkey's assistance. Over the last 15 years, Azerbaijan has been preparing its military for possible action against Armenian forces in Nagorno-Karabakh.

The country's military tactics

Azerbaijan's military tactics have been developed and refined over the course of its decades-long conflict with Armenia. This conflict centres on the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh, internationally recognised as Azerbaijani territory but with an ethnic Armenian majority and controlled by Armenian forces.

Azerbaijan's tactics have been shaped by its larger population and substantial oil wealth, which has allowed it to invest in advanced military systems and develop strong regional alliances. Its tactics have also been influenced by the region's mountainous terrain, which has historically favoured Armenian forces.

Azerbaijan's military tactics have included the use of:

• Drone strikes: Azerbaijan has an expanding drone fleet, including Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2s, which have been used to destroy Armenian mobile air defence systems, tanks, and other vehicles.
• Artillery and rocket attacks: In the September 2020 clashes, Azerbaijan employed artillery, rockets, drones, and combat aircraft to attack Armenian positions.
• Ground forces: Azerbaijan has utilised tanks and armoured fighting vehicles in ground attacks, although these have been vulnerable to Armenian anti-tank guided missiles.
• Cyber warfare: During the July 2020 clashes, Azerbaijan targeted the Armenian internet with a wave of cyberattacks.
• Information warfare: Both sides engage in information warfare, making it difficult to independently verify official information.
• Alliances: Azerbaijan has leveraged its alliance with Turkey, which has provided military support and openly backed its offensive against Armenia.

Azerbaijan's military tactics have also been influenced by the need to capture and control territory. Its tactics have included large-scale counter-offensive operations, with the stated aim of ending Armenian occupation and "liberating" territory.

The conflict has had significant civilian impacts, with both sides accused of targeting civilian settlements and infrastructure. The conflict also has broader geopolitical implications, with the potential to draw in regional powers and destabilise the South Caucasus region, a corridor for pipelines carrying oil and natural gas to world markets.

Azerbaijan's rank in the Global Firepower review

Azerbaijan has been ranked 59th out of 145 countries in the 2024 Global Firepower review. The country's Power Index score is 0.9934, with a score of 0.0000 being considered perfect. In 2023, Azerbaijan ranked 57th out of 145 countries, with a Power Index score of 0.9391. This improvement in ranking is notable, as it places Azerbaijan as the country with the strongest military power in the South Caucasus region.

The Global Firepower ranking takes into account over 60 individual factors, including a nation's manpower, airpower, land forces, naval forces, natural resources, transport capabilities, and logistics capabilities. It also considers the size of the military budget, foreign debt, foreign exchange reserves, and purchasing power.

According to the 2024 Global Firepower review, Azerbaijan has the following notable strengths and capabilities:

• A large available manpower, ranking 80th out of 145 countries.
• A high number of fit-for-service individuals, ranking 79th.
• A significant number of active personnel, ranking 39th.
• A strong defense budget, ranking 57th.
• Impressive land forces, including 920 tanks (ranking 22nd) and 29,312 vehicles (ranking 19th).
• Substantial oil reserves, ranking 20th.

However, there are also areas where Azerbaijan's military capabilities could be improved. For example, the country lacks aircraft carriers, helicopter carriers, and destroyers. Additionally, Azerbaijan's coastline coverage (713 km) and shared borders (2,468 km) may present challenges in terms of defense and border security.

Overall, Azerbaijan's military strength and ranking in the Global Firepower review demonstrate the country's commitment to maintaining a strong defensive posture and its ability to project power in the region.

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