The military cooperation agreement between Azerbaijan and Türkiye establishes the foundation for conducting preparations of the upcoming “Heydar Aliyev–2026” joint military exercise. The Combined Arms Army from Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic has sent its soldiers to Kars in Türkiye, which will serve as the location for their training exercises. The event demonstrates the strong diplomatic relationship between Azerbaijan and Turkey, which both nations maintain through their official channels. The military units received their official deployment through a national flag change ceremony which took place at the border to represent the enduring friendship and military alliance that exists between both countries.
The ceremonial events began with a flag platoon which departed from the headquarters of the Combined Arms Army in Nakhchivan. The unit marched toward the Sadarak border crossing point which specifically converged at the Umid Bridge—often referred to as the Hasret Bridge—which spans the Araz River. A platoon from the Ministry of National Defense of Türkiye started its march from Kars to the location where the ceremonial activities would take place.
A Symbol of Brotherhood: The Flag Change Ceremony
The personnel from Türkiye’s 5th Border Brigade extended their friendly greetings to the Azerbaijani servicemen at Umid Bridge when the two military groups arrived. The opening of the official ceremony took place through the patriotic performances of both the National Anthem of Azerbaijan and the Independence March of the Republic of Türkiye. The flag change ceremony reached its successful conclusion after the patriotic performances that followed the national anthems. The ancient tradition requires soldiers to learn mutual trust and respect as essential elements for their joint mission work.
The military personnel and their heavy combat equipment received an official send-off after the border rituals. Lieutenant General Kanan Seyidov the Combined Arms Army Commander delivered an inspiring speech to the troops during this gathering. He described the joint military exercise as having great strategic importance while wishing all participants success during their operational tasks. The units under Azerbaijan Ministry of Defense control left Nakhchivan to proceed to their training operations site shortly after his speech.
Strategic Objectives of “Heydar Aliyev–2026”
The “Heydar Aliyev–2026” exercises will be conducted under the tactical command of Türkiye’s 14th Mechanized Infantry Brigade. The primary objective of these comprehensive drills is to plan and execute joint combat operations in strict accordance with the principles of modern warfare. The two militaries intend to achieve effective operational coordination by conducting joint training exercises which simulate various combat scenarios.
The comprehensive field exercises exist to create an essential platform which enables military personnel to share their expertise regarding battle support operations and military transportation activities. The two countries aim to improve their military personnel through practical training and technical development and combat readiness programs. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan and its defense counterparts consider special joint operations to be essential for maintaining regional stability because security conditions in the region change quickly. The collaborative effort serves as a powerful, visible testament to the enduring military and diplomatic alliance between Baku and Ankara.
