BAKU. June 26 (Interfax) - Azerbaijan has completed 70% of the planned work to develop its army based on the Turkish Armed Forces model, Azerbaijani Defense Minister Zakir Hasanov said.
"This work is being done in line with President Ilham Aliyev's instruction to reorganize the Azerbaijani army based on the structure of the Turkish Armed Forces. Most of the work in this field has already been finished, I'd say it's about 70%. This includes troop control, military education, the structures of the Armed Forces, and combat training," Hasanov said in an interview with the Azerbaijani TV channel CBC.
The minister referred to the president's earlier statement that Azerbaijan planned 16 joint military drills with the Turkish Armed Forces involving all of the Armed Forces branches this year, of which six have already been held.
"Joint exercises have been held virtually every day, either in Turkish territory or in Azerbaijan, involving our specialists from all Armed Forces branches. Considering that the Turkish Armed Forces are among the strongest in the world, this is a great chance for us," Hasanov said.
Azerbaijan is planning a joint project with Turkey under which Baku will not only purchase new unmanned aerial systems from Ankara but will also jointly manufacture and operate them in Azerbaijan, Hasanov said.
"These plans are already being implemented, and our public will be informed in the near future. The decision has already been made," Hasanov said.