Large Scale Offensive Exercises Planned in Azerbaijan, Says Arzroun Hovhannisyan

From March 11 to 15, 2019, the Azerbaijani armed forces plan to conduct the largest military exercises of an offensive nature; however, participating countries have not been notified regarding this within the framework of the Vienna Document. The spokesperson for the Ministry of Defense, Arzroun Hovhannisyan, published a statement on his Facebook page, suggesting that the exercises are organized in the context of the meeting between Pashinyan and Aliyev and are an attempt at pressure.

The full text of the statement is presented below:

“According to the fifth chapter 40.1.1 of the Vienna Document of 2011, exercises must be announced if they include:

1. at least 9,000 personnel, including supporting troops, or
2. at least 250 combat tanks, or
3. at least 500 armored combat vehicles, or
4. at least 250 self-propelled and towed artillery systems, mortars, and multiple launch rocket systems (100 mm and above).

During discussions on updating the 2011 Vienna Document, countries agreed to announce any exercise that is not subjected to a ceiling in scale but is considered to be the largest (ceilings do not apply here) because, currently, countries conducting the largest exercises are rare.

At the same time, according to the requirements of Article 66 of Part VII of the Vienna Document of 2011, if a participating country has planned to conduct a larger scale exercise than the previously announced one within the reporting year, it must notify all participating countries as soon as possible and in accordance with established procedures.

I inform you that from March 11 to 15 this year, the armed forces of Azerbaijan plan to conduct the largest exercises with the following composition:

1. personnel: 10,000 people,
2. up to 500 combat tanks and other armored vehicles,
3. at least 300 units of artillery systems, mortars, missiles, and multiple launch rocket systems of various calibers,
4. army aviation units with more than 20 combat aircraft and helicopters.

The exercises will have an offensive nature. The objectives of the exercises are:

• Preparation of troops for offensive operations,
• Striking a conventional adversary from several directions, breaking their defensive and combat formations,
• Delivering missile and artillery strikes on the enemy, destroying their military and strategically significant structures,
• Testing new types of weapons and equipment.

I inform you that Azerbaijan has not notified participating countries regarding this exercise in the annual information provided within the framework of the Vienna Document. In such cases, according to the aforementioned point, Azerbaijan is obliged to notify as soon as possible. However, there has been no notification received through the OSCE information network about the conduct of the exercise.

Conclusion:

It is presumed that this exercise has been organized in the context of the Pashinyan-Aliyev meeting and is an attempt at pressure in response to statements that Armenia will not cede any territory from the liberated areas to Azerbaijan.”