A strong army is one of the major factors characterizing Azerbaijan today. As the country’s economic strength enhanced, it gave a boost to addressing social issues and military development. With the public spending on the military increasing by leaps and bounds, Azerbaijan’s army has entered a whole new world of possibilities.
Azerbaijan’s state budget allotted a total of AZN 6.421 billion or US$3.77 billion for defense and national security in 2024, more than around US$216 million allocated for the previous year.
The 5th Anniversary Azerbaijan International Defense Exhibition ADEX, the largest event in the region dedicated to the defense industry, comes in the wake of this army building programs.
“I believe that one of the primary goals for us in the coming years is to further strengthen our Army and the Armed Forces…Today, necessary steps are being taken for the future development of our Armed Forces. Necessary weapons and equipment are being purchased; new armed units are being set up. The number of Special Forces has been increased several times, and the number of soldiers in the new “Commando” units is in the thousands, and this process continues. We have created an Army that – these things will be continued – no one can pick on us and even think about that in the future,” the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, said in February.
“We are creating a very powerful military and industrial complex, the first phase of which has already been completed. The second stage will be even more extensive. This year alone, at least one billion manats will be invested by both private and public enterprises in this, and we will provide ourselves with an even larger amount of weapons and equipment, export a larger amount, President Aliyev said.
The first ADEX exhibition was established in 2014. Although the biennial exhibition is celebrating its 5th anniversary this year, it has already been operating for 10 years, continuously expanding its participant list and the sectors it covers with each edition.
Over the past decade, the exhibition has brought together numerous companies and nearly 200 official delegations representing more than 50 countries worldwide.
Since the early years of the ADEX exhibition, President Aliyev has visited the event and addressed greeting letters to its participants and guests. This is undoubtedly a testament to the high status of the exhibition and the trust it commands.
ADEX is a significant event in Azerbaijan and the region, focusing on the defense industry and security sectors. This large-scale event not only features one of the largest military equipment displays in the region but also demonstrates the strength and capabilities of Azerbaijan’s defense industry complex. “The ADEX exhibition serves as an effective platform for showcasing advanced technologies, strengthening international cooperation, and fostering the development of the country’s defense industry,” said an official.
In 2024, the scale of the ADEX and Securex Caspian exhibitions has expanded further, showcasing the growth in the exposition compared to previous editions. Compared to the previous edition, the number of the exhibition participants has increased by 32 per cent. About 270 companies from 38 countries are participating in the event.
In addition to Azerbaijan, the participating countries include the Belarus, Bulgaria, China, Czech Republic, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Lithuania, Pakistan, Qatar, Russia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Spain, Turkey, UAE, Ukraine, UK, and the U.S.. Among the participating countries, Hungary, Qatar, Singapore, and Slovakia are new additions to the exhibition.
The exhibition is held at the initiative and with the organizational support of the Ministry of Defence Industry of the Republic of Azerbaijan and support of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The organiser of the exhibition is the Caspian Event Organisers, and its international partner, Caspian Event Management.
One of the Strongest in the Region
Azerbaijan has continuously strengthened its army, developed its military staff and enhanced its military potential. One of the major factors that contribute to the strong morale of the troops is that the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, President Ilham Aliyev, regularly visits military establishments, especially the frontline areas.
Azerbaijan’s Army is presently one of the strongest in the region. Owing to the Commander in Chief Ilham Aliyev’s will and support Azerbaijan’s Army has a strong logistics footing and most state-of-the-art armaments and munitions. Development of international relations of Azerbaijan’s Defence Ministry also deserves a special mention as far as the strengthening of the Army is concerned.
According to Global Data, the Azerbaijan defense budget is set to increase, which will translate to a CAGR of more than 6 per cent between 2024 and 2028. Azerbaijan has been consistently investing in extensive military procurements from Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Israel, South Korea, and other countries. In addition to investing in military imports, Azerbaijan is expected to strengthen its focus on improving its domestic defense production capabilities over the forecast period, according to Global Data.
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