(MENAFN- AzerNews)
Qabil Ashirov read more Despite the consensus to demilitarize the Caspian Region, the
littoral countries increased their naval potential. In this
process, Turkmenistan could be way more outstanding among those
countries thanks to the support from Turkiye. However, Kazakhstan
and Iran do not lag behind Turkmenistan, whose military navies were
limited before.
As for Azerbaijan, it owns the biggest military fleet in the
Caspian basin after the Russian Federation. After the dissolution
of the USSR, the Caspian Flotilla was divided between Azerbaijan
and Russia. Today, Azerbaijan has over 40 warships and it intends
to increase the capability of its navy in parallel with its land
forces. In this direction, Azerbaijan tries to cooperate with
different countries. Several years ago, news circulated in media
that Azerbaijan intended to purchase different warships, including
submarines from South Korea. Besides, Azerbaijan jointly produced
Shaldag ships with Israel. Also, Turkish companies are interested
in the production and modernization of warships in Azerbaijan.
Furthermore, the meeting of the Commander of the Azerbaijan
Naval Forces Vice Admiral Subhan Bakirov with the Chief of the
Italian Navy Admiral Enrico Credendino, and discussing the
development of cooperation between the two countries' naval forces
were of great significance. Especially, given that Italy is
considered one of the important countries in the production of
military warships and equipment, the prospects of the meeting
between the two parties comes importance.
Speaking to Azernews on the issue, military
expert Ramil Mammadli noted that despite owning the second biggest
military force after Russia among littoral countries, Azerbaijan's
navy is not considered strong in terms of capability and
modernity.
“For 20 years, all countries in the Caspian Sea body of water
have been engaged in developing the potential of their naval
forces. Despite having the strongest fleet in the Caspian, Russia
increased the number of warships and their kind. Some of these
Russian ships are missile artillery ships, which we know from the
Ukrainian War. As is known, some of the missiles that hit Ukraine
are being fired from the Caspian Sea. In this regard, the main
power in the Caspian Sea belongs to the potential Russian naval
forces. Other littoral countries, such as Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan,
and Iran, have also implemented a number of projects to strengthen
the capabilities of their naval forces. Turkmenistan has built
about 20 ships with the help of Turkish companies. Kazakhstan also
built ships at the expense of its domestic capabilities by
attracting specialists from Russia and other countries,” Mammadli
said.
The military expert noted that the construction of new warships
was not on Azerbaijan's agenda, and Azerbaijan did not implement
large projects but some modernization projects such as new weapons
and equipment for the naval forces. He pointed out that Azerbaijan
had objective and subjective reasons for that.
“The objective reason is that the main priority of Azerbaijan
during these years has been the Garabagh issue. Due to the Garabagh
conflict, the strengthening of technical capabilities of air
defense systems, air forces, ground forces, and rocket artillery
systems, and increasing the number of personnel have been one of
the main directions. Issues such as the construction or purchase of
new warships have not been implemented. However, this does not mean
that the capabilities of the naval forces lag behind others. Not at
all. Some modernization projects were carried out on the ships of
the naval forces of Azerbaijan, major repairs were carried out, and
during this period, work was carried out in the direction of the
protection of the coastal waters of Azerbaijan and the organization
of the protection of energy resources,” R.Mammadli noted.
He also added that the Garabagh issue has already been
concluded, the problems that had arisen on land forces have been
resolved, and the potential of the Azerbaijan Army is capable of
preventing any danger. He thinks that from now on, attention will
be paid to the modernization of the Navy. As for
Azerbaijani-Italian cooperation, the Pundit emphasized that the
visit of the Azerbaijani Vice-Admiral to Italy can lay the
foundation for the steps to be taken in strengthening the potential
of the Azerbaijani naval forces.
“In terms of the construction of warships, Italian ranks at
first places in the world. I believe that the relations that will
be formed between the Italian and Azerbaijani naval forces will
develop further Azerbaijan's capabilities in the Caspian Sea, and
create an opportunity for its more modern formation. Today, it is
known that many companies manufacturing warships purchase parts,
drawings, and so on from Italy. In this case, I think that it would
be better to cooperate with Italy than to cooperate with such
companies to develop the military fleet,” he added.
Touching on the importance of the meeting, R.Mammadli said that
he has big expectations from the meeting. Because this meeting is
not just a regular trip. The meeting was held on the sideline with
the maritime defense exhibition. Well-known companies of the world
participate and offer their products in the exhibition.
“I think that Azerbaijan conducted successful negotiations in
this direction at the exhibition. Even in these negotiations, there
may be the renewal of large ships of the military forces of
Azerbaijan,” he concluded.
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