Israel's Military Support: Azerbaijan's Secret Weapon?

Israel's involvement in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict has brought the country's arms trade with Azerbaijan under scrutiny. Israel has been accused of quietly fuelling Azerbaijan's campaign to recapture the region by supplying powerful weapons, including heavy artillery, rocket launchers, and drones. This has led to concerns about Israel's role in the displacement of over 100,000 ethnic Armenians from the region and allegations of ethnic cleansing. While Israel has declined to comment on its use of weapons in Nagorno-Karabakh, the country's strategic partnership with Azerbaijan is well-established, with Israel supplying a significant portion of Azerbaijan's arms imports. The relationship between the two countries goes beyond arms trading, with Israel and Azerbaijan sharing diplomatic, economic, and energy ties.

Israel's role in Azerbaijan's victory in Nagorno-Karabakh

Israel's role in Azerbaijan's victory in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict has been the subject of much scrutiny and debate. While Israel's support for Azerbaijan is believed to have contributed to its victory, there are also other factors at play. Here is an analysis of Israel's involvement and its impact on the outcome.

Israel's Military Support for Azerbaijan

Israel has been a key supplier of military equipment and technology to Azerbaijan, providing advanced weapons systems such as drones, missiles, and surface-to-air missiles. This support has been ongoing for years, with Israeli companies making up most of Azerbaijan's arms imports. In 2016, there were reports of Azerbaijan's successful use of Israeli drones in clashes with Armenia. The role of Israeli weapons was even more prominent in the 2020 conflict, where they were credited with helping Azerbaijan gain the upper hand.

The Geopolitical Context

The Israel-Azerbaijan relationship is part of a larger geopolitical puzzle involving Turkey and Iran. Both Israel and Turkey have used the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict as a "laboratory" to test their weapons and counter Iran's influence in the region. Israel sees Azerbaijan as a strategic partner and a buffer against its arch-enemy, Iran. Additionally, Azerbaijan is a critical source of oil for Israel, meeting a significant portion of its energy needs. This energy cooperation, along with arms trading and shared interests in countering Iran, form the basis of their strategic partnership.

The Impact of Israeli Weapons

Israeli weapons played a significant role in Azerbaijan's military campaigns in Nagorno-Karabakh. The advanced technology provided by Israel gave Azerbaijan an edge over Armenia, particularly in terms of precision strikes and air power. Israeli drones, such as the Harop, allowed Azerbaijan to conduct targeted attacks and overcome well-fortified Armenian positions in mountainous terrain. Israeli long-range missiles and surface-to-air missiles also degraded Armenian radars, communication nodes, and armored vehicles. This combination of Israeli and Turkish weapons ultimately forced Armenia to agree to a ceasefire and cede control of the disputed territory.

The Broader Implications

The victory in Nagorno-Karabakh has strengthened the Israel-Azerbaijan relationship and could lead to more explicit ties, such as the opening of an Azerbaijani embassy in Israel. Additionally, Azerbaijan's elongated border with Iran provides Israel with potential access to more territory surrounding its primary geopolitical foe. The conflict has also shifted the dynamics in the region, with Turkey potentially gaining direct land access to Azerbaijan and improving relations with Armenia.

In conclusion, while Israel's military support for Azerbaijan was significant, it was not the sole factor in Azerbaijan's victory. The geopolitical context, including the involvement of other regional powers and the abandonment of Armenia by Russia, also played a crucial role in the outcome of the conflict. The broader implications of the conflict go beyond the immediate region, impacting the relationships between Israel, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Iran, and Armenia.

Israel's arms exports to Azerbaijan

Israel has been a key exporter of arms to Azerbaijan, with the two countries sharing diplomatic ties since 1992. In 2012, the countries signed an agreement for Israel to sell $1.6 billion worth of drones, anti-aircraft systems, and missile defence systems to Azerbaijan.

Israel has been a major supplier of arms to Azerbaijan, with experts estimating that Israel supplied nearly 70% of Azerbaijan's arsenal between 2016 and 2020. This figure is supported by research from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), which found that Israel accounted for 69% of Azerbaijan's major arms imports between 2016 and 2020. SIPRI also reported that Israel supplied 60% of Azerbaijan's arms imports between 2015 and 2019.

In 2023, Israel and Azerbaijan signed a deal for Israel to supply two satellites for $120 million, as well as the "Barak MX" missile interception system for $1.2 billion. This deal further solidified Israel's position as a key arms exporter to Azerbaijan.

The arms trade between Israel and Azerbaijan is part of a larger geopolitical strategy. Both countries have used the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict as a "laboratory" to test the quality of their arms and to counter Iran's influence in the region. Israel has also supplied arms to Azerbaijan to support its fight against international terrorism, particularly against organizations like Hizb ut-Tahrir, which seeks the annihilation of Israel.

In addition to arms exports, Israel and Azerbaijan have strong economic ties, particularly in the energy sector. Israel buys a significant amount of its oil from Azerbaijan, which has helped to deregulate and liberalize Azerbaijan's economy. Israeli companies have invested heavily in Azerbaijan's service industry, with companies like Bezeq and Bakcell establishing a strong presence in the country.

The diplomatic and economic ties between Israel and Azerbaijan extend beyond arms exports, with the countries cooperating in various sectors and sharing intelligence. However, the arms trade between the two countries has come under scrutiny, particularly in light of the recent conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh, where Israeli-made weapons were used against Armenian targets.

Israel's economic cooperation with Azerbaijan

Israel and Azerbaijan have been engaged in economic cooperation since the early 1990s, with Israel being one of the first states to recognise Azerbaijan's independence in 1991. In recent years, their economic ties have strengthened significantly, with Israel becoming a pivotal partner for Azerbaijan in international alliances.

The economic cooperation between the two countries extends beyond the energy sector, encompassing sectors such as trade, infrastructure, high technology, tourism, agriculture, healthcare, and cybersecurity.

In the energy sector, Israel and Azerbaijan have a strong collaboration. Israel buys a significant amount of its oil from Azerbaijan, which is estimated to be around 40% of its total oil imports. In 2021, this figure was even higher, with Azerbaijan supplying 65% of Israel's oil. Additionally, discussions have been held regarding the potential for Israel to import gas from Azerbaijan, leveraging the Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP).

In the defence industry sector, Israel has been a major provider of military equipment to Azerbaijan, solidifying its position as the country's leading supplier. This includes the sale of drones, missile defence systems, and battlefield aviation. The total value of signed contracts between the two countries in this sector amounts to $5 billion.

The bilateral economic framework between Israel and Azerbaijan was formally established in 2007 with the signing of the Agreement on the Protection and Promotion of Investments. Since then, multiple Israeli companies have actively participated in infrastructure projects in Azerbaijan, such as the Muganli-Yevlakh highway reconstruction.

Azerbaijan has also benefited from Israel's expertise in various fields, including water resource management, seawater desalination, desertification mitigation, and agricultural practices suited for arid and semi-arid conditions.

The economic ties between the two countries are expected to continue flourishing, driven by a shared commitment to progress and prosperity.

Israel's diplomatic ties with Azerbaijan

Israel and Azerbaijan have had diplomatic relations since 1992, following the latter's independence from the Soviet Union. In 2022, Azerbaijan announced it would be opening an embassy in Israel, marking the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two states.

Azerbaijan is a majority-Muslim country, and one of several such countries to develop bilateral, strategic, and economic relations with Israel. Israel was one of the first states to formally recognize Azerbaijan's independence, doing so in November 1991, and established diplomatic relations with the country on April 7, 1992.

The two countries have strong economic ties, with Israel buying a large proportion of its crude oil from Azerbaijan. They are also believed to share intelligence on Iran, which is an arch-enemy of Israel and a neighbour of Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan has also reportedly allowed the Israeli spy agency, Mossad, to use it as a hub to spy on Iran.

The diplomatic ties between the two countries are discreet, but strong. In 2016, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu paid an official visit to Baku, where he emphasised that "Israel and Azerbaijan enjoy an excellent relationship and warm friendship". In 2017, Netanyahu mentioned the expansion of cooperation between the two countries in a speech at the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly.

In 2020, trade between the two countries was approximately 200 million US dollars (excluding oil supplies). In July 2021, the Trade and Tourism Representative Office of Azerbaijan was founded in Tel Aviv.

In February 2024, amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, Azerbaijani President Aliyev met with Israeli President Herzog to reaffirm bilateral relations between the two countries.

However, Israel's support of Azerbaijan has come under scrutiny in recent years, particularly in relation to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia. Israel has supplied powerful weapons to Azerbaijan, including drones, missiles, and mortars, which have been used in the conflict with Armenia. In 2023, the two countries signed a deal for Israel to supply Azerbaijan with two satellites for $120 million, as well as the "Barak MX" missile interception system for $1.2 billion.

Israel's military cooperation with Azerbaijan

Israel and Azerbaijan have been engaged in military cooperation since the early 1990s, with Israel providing battlefield aviation, artillery, anti-tank, and anti-infantry weaponry to Azerbaijan. This cooperation has intensified during periods of conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh region.

In the lead-up to the September 2020 war, Israel supplied nearly 70% of Azerbaijan's arsenal, according to experts. This included powerful weapons such as heavy artillery, rocket launchers, and drones. Israel also provided comprehensive digital mapping of Nagorno-Karabakh, giving Azerbaijani forces a significant advantage.

The use of Israeli weapons in the conflict has been met with dismay by Armenians and has sparked a debate in Israel about the country's permissive arms export policies. Despite this, Israel has continued to strengthen its military ties with Azerbaijan, with Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant visiting Baku in July 2023 to praise the countries' military cooperation.

In March 2023, Azerbaijan opened its embassy in Israel, marking the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two states. This was a significant step as Azerbaijan had previously declined Israel's request to send a permanent ambassador.

The cooperation between Israel and Azerbaijan extends beyond military ties and includes economic projects, particularly in the energy sector. Israel buys a significant amount of its oil from Azerbaijan, and Israeli companies are involved in reconstruction projects in the "liberated areas" of Nagorno-Karabakh.

The relationship between the two countries is driven by their shared desire to contain Iran, which both countries view as a threat. Azerbaijan's secular government fears Iranian Islamist influence, while Israel is concerned about Iran's regional policies, including its nuclear and missile programs.

The close ties between Israel and Azerbaijan have been described as a strategic partnership by Israeli officials, and it is clear that military cooperation between the two countries will continue to be a crucial element in shaping the geopolitical dynamics of the Caucasus region.

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