The Strategic Importance Of Azerbaijan's Navy

The Azerbaijani Navy is the naval component of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces, operating in the Caspian Sea. The inception of the Azerbaijani Naval Forces dates back to 5 August 1919, when the government of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic established a navy force based on the Russian Imperial fleet in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea. The navy had six ships. After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the Azerbaijani fleet was divided between Azerbaijan and the Russian Federation. Today, the Azerbaijani Navy is considered the second strongest in the Caspian Sea after the Russian fleet. Azerbaijan has over 40 warships and intends to increase the capability of its navy in parallel with its land forces.

Azerbaijan's navy is the second most powerful in the Caspian Sea

The Azerbaijani Navy is the second most powerful in the Caspian Sea, after the Russian fleet. It is the naval component of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces, which also include land forces, an air and air defence force, and associated forces such as the National Guard.

The Azerbaijani Navy was established on 5 August 1919, when the government of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic created a naval force based on the Russian Imperial fleet in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea. It had six ships. In 1920, Azerbaijan was absorbed into the Soviet Union and its navy was transferred to Soviet jurisdiction. In 1991, following the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Azerbaijani fleet was divided between Azerbaijan and the Russian Federation. In July 1992, the Azerbaijani ships began operating under the Azerbaijani flag.

Today, the Azerbaijani Navy has over 40 warships and around 2,200 personnel. It operates two naval bases: one in Baku (Puta) and one for the Marines in Zığ. The Puta Base is the Caspian Sea basin's largest military facility. The Navy also has a Ship Repair Plant.

The Navy includes:

• Surface Ship Brigade
• Water Area Protection Division
• Division of Landing Ships
• Division of Minesweepers
• Division of Search and Rescue Vessels
• Training Courts Division
• Brigade of Patrol Ships
• 641st Naval Special Operations Brigade
• Sea Sabotage and Reconnaissance Brigade
• Azerbaijan Coast Guard
• Mobilization reserve
• Azerbaijan Merchant Fleet

The Navy has received support from the US, which has donated motorboats and agreed to help refurbish Azerbaijani warships. The US has also participated in joint naval exercises with the 641st Special Warfare Naval Unit.

Azerbaijan has also received naval support from Turkey, with which it has held joint military exercises. Turkey has provided newer patrol craft, infantry weapons, tactical vehicles, and other equipment and services.

In addition, Azerbaijan has worked with Israel on defence projects, including the construction of Shaldag ships.

The navy was established in 1919

The Azerbaijani Navy was established on 5 August 1919 by the government of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic. The inception of the country's naval forces came about following the British departure from Azerbaijan in August 1919, after which British warships had been tasked with defending the western coastline of the Caspian Sea.

The newly established Azerbaijani Naval Fleet was formed on the basis of the Russian Imperial fleet deployed in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea. The navy had six ships, including two gunboats equipped with 75, 100, and 120 mm cannons, the "Ardahan" and the "Kars". The Caspian Naval Fleet was initially under the charge of the Transport Ministry, as the War Ministry did not have a navy department.

In late 1919, a special navy department was established at the General Staff, consisting of six staff members. The Azerbaijani Navy also included service and auxiliary vessels, a transport ship, an armed steamer, and a number of motor patrol boats.

The Azerbaijan Democratic Republic's armed forces were dissolved after Azerbaijan was absorbed into the Soviet Union as the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic on 28 April 1920. The national army was abolished by the Bolshevik government, and 15 of the 21 army generals were executed.

It has approximately 20 ships and 1,750 personnel

The Azerbaijani Navy is the second-largest navy in the Caspian Sea, after the Russian fleet. It has approximately 20 ships and 1,750 personnel. It was formed in mid-1992, with Azerbaijan inheriting a quarter of the former Soviet Caspian Flotilla based in Baku, under the terms of a CIS agreement. The Azerbaijani Navy has a brigade of surface vessels, a national waters security brigade, a marines battalion, an intelligence and special assignment centre, and coastguard units.

The Navy's surface vessels include a guard division, a landing vessels division, a mine-sweeper division, a search and rescue division, and a training vessel division. The Navy also has a frigate, and smaller patrol boats that operate in coastal waters. These patrol boats are used for anti-smuggling, anti-poaching, and oil field security operations.

The Navy's personnel are highly trained and regularly participate in joint military simulations and international events. They also conduct joint combat simulations with the Air Force and State Border Agency's Coast Guard to maintain a favourable operative regime and protect underwater export oil and gas pipelines and platforms in the Caspian Sea.

The Navy has two naval bases: one in Baku (Puta) and one for the Marines in Zığ. The Puta Base is the largest military facility in the Caspian Sea basin. The Azerbaijani Navy is considered to have limited maritime domain awareness in the Caspian Sea, which can lead to potential confrontations with neighbouring countries like Iran and Russia. However, through cooperation with various countries and modernisation initiatives, Azerbaijan aims to strengthen its naval capabilities and become the owner of the most powerful fleet in the Caspian Sea.

The US has provided training and equipment to the Azerbaijani Navy

In 2007, an agreement was reached between the US and Azerbaijan, which stated that a part of the Azerbaijani Navy would be equipped with advanced laser marksmanship devices and systems. Specialists from the US were also due to provide training on the use of this new equipment. This agreement is part of the US's Caspian Guard Initiative, which aims to enhance Caspian security by coordinating activities in Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan with US Central Command and other government agencies.

The US Navy has also participated in joint naval exercises with the Azerbaijani Army's 641st Special Warfare Naval Unit, which is headquartered at the Azeri Naval Station outside Baku. These exercises contribute to the US's strategic naval corridor in the Caspian Sea basin.

In addition to the US, Turkey has also contributed to the Azerbaijani Navy by providing several newer patrol craft.

The Azerbaijani Navy has a brigade of surface vessels

The Azerbaijani Navy is the naval component of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces, operating in the Caspian Sea. The Navy has its roots in the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, which established a naval force in 1919, based on the Russian Imperial fleet in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea. The modern Azerbaijani Navy was formed in 1992, following the collapse of the Soviet Union, and today it is considered the second strongest navy in the Caspian Sea, after the Russian fleet.

The Navy of Azerbaijan has a brigade of surface vessels, which includes several divisions:

• Guard Division: This division is responsible for the security of national waters and the protection of maritime assets.
• Landing Vessels Division: This division specialises in amphibious operations, providing transport and support for troops and equipment during landings.
• Mine-sweeper Division: This division is equipped with minesweepers, which are used to detect and neutralise naval mines, ensuring safe passage for friendly vessels.
• Search and Rescue Division: This division conducts search and rescue operations at sea, responding to maritime emergencies and providing assistance to those in distress.
• Training Vessel Division: This division is dedicated to training and preparing naval personnel for their roles, ensuring proficiency and readiness.

The brigade of surface vessels is an integral part of the Azerbaijani Navy, contributing to its operational capabilities and enabling it to conduct a range of maritime missions, from security patrols to search and rescue operations.

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