Azerbaijani Air Forces

The Azerbaijani Air Forces trace their origin to 1919 during the short-lived Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, which had originally bought its first military aircraft on 26 June 1918. Following Azerbaijan's independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, the former Soviet air bases in the country helped to develop the Air Forces and Air Defense Troops.{{cite journal |title=Chapter Five: Russia and Eurasia |journal=The Military Balance |date=March 14, 2013 |volume=113 |issue=1 |pages=199–244 |issn=1479-9022 |doi=10.1080/04597222.2013.757001}}

On February 11, 2009, the Commander of the Air Force, Lieutenant General Rail Rzayev, was assassinated outside his home by an unidentified armed assailant.{{cite news |last1=Yevgrashina |first1=Lada |last2=Mehtiyeva |first2=Afet |title=Head of Azerbaijan's air force shot dead |date=February 11, 2009 |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSLB14302/ |location=Baku, Azerbaijan}} Rzayev had been reportedly negotiating closer ties with the United States regarding air force modernisation before his death, possibly including the acquisition of US fighter aircraft.{{cite magazine |last=Cetinkaya |first=Ozer |title=Only Bridge Between West and Caspian Falling Apart |url=http://www.eurasiacritic.com/articles/only-bridge-between-west-and-caspian-falling-apart |magazine=Eurasia Critic |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110710204515/http://www.eurasiacritic.com/articles/only-bridge-between-west-and-caspian-falling-apart |archive-date=July 10, 2011}} He was succeeded by Major-General Altay Mehdiyev who was appointed the new Commander of the Air Forces on 12 May 2009.{{cite web |url=http://www.milaz.info/news.php?id=5082 |title=General-mayor Altay Mehdiyev HHQ və HHM qoşunlarının komandanı təyin olunub |trans-title=General Major Altay Mehdiyev was appointed the Commander of Azerbaijani Air and Air Defense Force |accessdate=2010-12-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111008153549/http://www.milaz.info/news.php?id=5082 |archive-date=2011-10-08 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://www.mediaforum.az/articles.php?article_id=20090515060433679&page=00&lang=az |title=ALTAY MEHDİYEV HƏRBİ HAVA QÜVVƏLƏRİ və HAVA HÜCUMUNDAN MÜDAFİƏ QOŞUNLARININ KOMANDAN ƏVƏZİ TƏYİN OLUNUB |trans-title=Altay Mehdiyev was appointed acting Commander of Azerbaijani Air and Air Defense Force |accessdate=2010-12-07 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120805004244/http://www.mediaforum.az/articles.php?article_id=20090515060433679&page=00&lang=az |archive-date=2012-08-05 |url-status=dead |language=az}}

Brinkster.net reported in October 2004 that the Azerbaijani Air and Air Defense Force comprised a fighter squadron at Nasosnaya Air Base with MiG-25PDs and training variants, a bomber aviation regiment at Kyurdamir with Su-17/24/25, MiG-21s, and L-29/39s, a transport aviation squadron at Ganja Airport with Il-76s(?), Аn-12/24, and Тu-134s, a helicopter squadron at Baku Kala Air Base with Mi-2/8/24s, two aircraft repair factories, and two air defense missile units. Other air bases include Dollyar Air Base (which Jane's Sentinel says is reported to be non-operational), Nakhchivan Airport in the Nakhchivan exclave, Sanqacal Air Base, and Sitalcay Air Base.

The units at Nasosnaya, Kyurdamir and the helicopter force at Baku Kala now appear to be numbered the 408th, 411th, and 843rd units.

The Air Defense Force is a component of the Air and Air Defense Force of Azerbaijan.Jane's Sentinel Security Assessments – Russia and the CIS: Air Force, dated June 18, 2009 There are some installations of the Cold War era left by the Soviets in 1990.

The Azerbaijan Higher Military Aviation School is the educational institution of the Azerbaijani Air Force and a branch of the education system of the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan.{{Cite web|title=Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan|url=https://mod.gov.az/en/the-military-education-system-of-azerbaijan-army-326/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200622100239/https://mod.gov.az/en/the-military-education-system-of-azerbaijan-army-326/|archive-date=June 22, 2020|access-date=2020-06-21|website=mod.gov.az}} In 1997, the school graduated its first class of military pilots.{{Cite web|title=Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan|url=https://mod.gov.az/en/air-forces-260/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200714144141/https://mod.gov.az/en/air-forces-260/|archive-date=July 14, 2020|access-date=June 21, 2020}}{{Cite web|title=Azerbaijan Air Force|url=https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/azerbaijan/af.htm|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930030632/https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/azerbaijan/af.htm|archive-date=September 30, 2020|access-date=June 21, 2020}} By presidential decree of 24 December 2015, the school was abolished and transferred to the Azerbaijan Higher Military Academy with the establishment of the corresponding faculties there.{{Cite web|title=Военное образование в Азербайджане: Формула успеха|url=http://armiya.az/ru/news/153001|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200624165721/http://armiya.az/ru/news/153001|archive-date=June 24, 2020|access-date=June 22, 2020}}

Azerbaijani pilots are trained at the Azerbaijan Air Force School and then develop their skills further within their units. Azerbaijan has an experience exchange with Turkey, the United States, Ukraine, and a number of other NATO countries. Turkish Air Force School plays a great role in the training of military pilots.{{Cite web|title=Interaction with Turkish Air Forces Boosts Azerbaijan's Air-Combat Capability|url=https://jamestown.org/program/interaction-turkish-air-forces-boosts-azerbaijans-air-combat-capability/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200613040927/https://jamestown.org/program/interaction-turkish-air-forces-boosts-azerbaijans-air-combat-capability/|archive-date=June 13, 2020|access-date=June 21, 2020}} The Azerbaijani pilots are also trained in Ukraine's Pilot Training School.{{cite news |last=Suleymanov |first=Rashad |title=Azerbaijan's military aviation opportunities |date=February 14, 2009 |publisher=Azerbaijani Press Agency |url=http://en.apa.az/print.php?id=97127 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110823061256/http://en.apa.az/print.php?id=97127 |archive-date=August 23, 2011}}

The United States is the most active participant in the modernisation of Air Force airfields. Airfields in Gala and the Nasosnaya Air Base near Haji Zeynalabidin settlement have been modernised with US support as part of the Azerbaijan-NATO Individual Partnership Action Plan. Special equipment were installed there to provide flight security. The starting command points, engineering control systems and engineering air force service were provided with new buildings. Negotiations over the modernisation of Kurdamir airfield are currently under way. An advanced Flight Control System has been installed at Dollyar Air Base with support from the United States.

Since September 2008, Turkey has helped to modernise the Air Force central command headquarters. According to a Turkish-Azerbaijani agreement, a NATO standard central command management center will be installed there. A great number of projects such as joint manufacture of unmanned aircraft will be implemented with Turkey in the near future.{{cite web |url=http://www.defpro.com/news/details/15735/ |title=Turkish company Global Teknik offers joint production of unmanned aircraft to Azerbaijan |publisher=Defpro.com |date=June 4, 2010 |access-date=2012-06-21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120610221516/http://www.defpro.com/news/details/15735/ |archive-date=June 10, 2012 |df=mdy-all}}{{cite web |url=http://www.news.az/articles/politics/25894 |title=Turkey to propose joint production of drones with Azerbaijan |publisher=News.az |date=November 3, 2010 |access-date=2012-06-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110823082310/http://news.az/articles/politics/25894 |archive-date=August 23, 2011 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}}

The Gabala OTH Radar was operated by the Russian Space Forces. The radar station had a range of up to 6,000 kilometres (3,728 mi), and was designed to detect missile launches as far as from the Indian Ocean. It is not known whether Russia shared any of the radar's data with Azerbaijan. The equipment was dismantled and sent back to Russia after 2012.

In 2006, the US provided Azerbaijani military with additional radar installations. Plans were announced for the US to modernize one radar station near the Iranian border at Lerik and another near the border with Georgia at Agstafa. Joint work also commenced on two radar stations on the Russia-Azerbaijani border and Iran-Azerbaijani border to monitor Caspian Sea traffic.{{cite news |last=Stakelbeck |first=Frederick W. |title=Front Page Magazine: "America's New Ally?" |date=May 18, 2006 |url=http://today.az/news/politics/26264.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100301062157/http://today.az/news/politics/26264.html |archive-date=March 1, 2010}}{{cite web |title=U.S., Azerbaijan Military Begin Joint Training |date=August 16, 2005 |website=GlobalSecurity.org |issn=2769-8947 |url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/news/2005/08/mil-050816-nns03.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090628185145/http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/news/2005/08/mil-050816-nns03.htm |archive-date=June 28, 2009}}

The MiG-29 has been designated as the standard aircraft for the AzAF.{{cite web |url=http://www.today.az/news/politics/38475.html |title=Azerbaijan shows 4th generation MiG-29 multirole fighter jets |publisher=Today.az |date=March 29, 2007 |access-date=2012-06-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929094243/http://www.today.az/news/politics/38475.html |archive-date=September 29, 2007 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}}

In September–October 2010, Azerbaijan purchased 24 Mi-35M from Rostvertol.{{cite web |url=http://www.news.az/articles/politics/31940 |title=Azerbaijan buys 24 Russian attack helicopters |publisher=News.Az |date=February 24, 2011 |access-date=2012-06-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110226222638/http://www.news.az/articles/politics/31940 |archive-date=February 26, 2011 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}}{{cite news|url=http://arms-tass.su/?page=article&aid=93084&cid=25|title="Роствертол" увеличил в прошлом году чистую прибыль в 3 раза|date=February 23, 2011|publisher="1News"|access-date=February 23, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111003094109/http://arms-tass.su/?page=article&aid=93084&cid=25|archive-date=October 3, 2011|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}

{{cite news|url=http://www.1news.az/politics/20110224112731122.html|title=Azerbaijan purchased from Russia 24 Mi-35M|date=February 24, 2011|publisher="Arms-Tass"|access-date=February 24, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110226035710/http://1news.az/politics/20110224112731122.html|archive-date=February 26, 2011|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}

8 of them have been delivered in the end of the first quarter of 2012 and four more in August 2012.{{cite news|url=http://www.1news.az/politics/20120810071425492.html|title=В Азербайджан доставлена очередная партия вертолетов Ми-35М|date=August 17, 2012|publisher="1News"|access-date=August 17, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120814090027/http://www.1news.az/politics/20120810071425492.html|archive-date=August 14, 2012|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}

With the arrival of the MiG-29s, the Air Force appears to have retired the MiG-25 aircraft that it used to fly from Nasosnaya Air Base.{{cite web |title=World Air Forces 2014 |date=December 10, 2013 |publisher=FlightGlobal |url=http://img.en25.com/Web/flightglobal/%7B88f2f053-6c3d-4ab4-a297-0b453358a560%7D_FC055_PREM_201312.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160107141621/http://img.en25.com/Web/flightglobal/%7B88f2f053-6c3d-4ab4-a297-0b453358a560%7D_FC055_PREM_201312.pdf?elq=&elqCampaignId= |archive-date=January 7, 2016}} IISS estimates in 2007 reported 26 as still in service; other figures previously placed the total as high as 38.{{cite report |author=Defence Statistics |title=Statistical Series 4 – Equipment Bulletin 4.02 – Vehicle & Aircraft Holdings within the scope of the Conventional Armed Forces in Europe Treaty |edition=2013 |date=August 1, 2013 |publisher= Ministry of Defence |url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/279983/2013.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927100113/http://www.dasa.mod.uk/publications/equipment/CFE-vehicles-and-aircraft/2013/2013.pdf |archive-date=September 27, 2013}}{{cite report |author=Defence Statistics |title=Statistical Series 4 – Equipment Bulletin 4.02 – Vehicle & Aircraft Holdings within the scope of the Conventional Armed Forces in Europe Treaty |edition=2014 |date=May 15, 2014 |publisher= Ministry of Defence |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/310189/Conventional-AF-Europe-2014-Bulletin.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20171019101149/https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/310189/Conventional-AF-Europe-2014-Bulletin.pdf |archive-date=October 19, 2017}}

The Air Force retains in store and L-39 fighter training aircraft produced in the Czech Republic and Ukraine.

Azerbaijan also manufactures Israeli-designed spy planes. Among the licensed UAVs is the Orbiter-2M and the Aerostar. Both are manufactured at the government-owned Azad Systems Company plant near Baku.{{cite web |url=http://www.eurasianet.org/node/63004 |title=Azerbaijan's Spying Carpets |publisher=Eurasianet.org |date=March 4, 2011 |access-date=2012-06-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110612081346/http://www.eurasianet.org/node/63004 |archive-date=June 12, 2011 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}}{{cite news|url=http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2011/03/08/354058/azad-systems-starts-uav-production.html|title=Azad Systems starts UAV production|date=April 8, 2011|publisher="Flightglobal"|access-date=April 8, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110314010634/http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2011/03/08/354058/azad-systems-starts-uav-production.html|archive-date=March 14, 2011|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}{{cite web|url=http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/aeronautics-strengthening-israel-azerbaijan-links-386235/|title=Aeronautics strengthening Israel-Azerbaijan links|last=Egozi|first=Arie|access-date=December 24, 2014|date=2013-05-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141225011249/http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/aeronautics-strengthening-israel-azerbaijan-links-386235/|archive-date=December 25, 2014|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}} The head of the Defense Industry, Yaver Jamalov, said that by the end of 2011 a total of 60 UAVs will be produced.{{cite news|url=http://anspress.com/index.php?a=2&lng=az&nid=99956|title=Azərbaycan ilin sonuna qədər 60 ədəd pilotsuz təyyarə istehsal edəcək|date=May 11, 2011|publisher="ANS Press"|access-date=May 11, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110920194855/http://anspress.com/index.php?a=2&lng=az&nid=99956|archive-date=September 20, 2011|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}{{cite web|title=До конца года Азербайджан произведет 60 беспилотников |url=http://www.1news.az/politics/20110511013056874.html |access-date=May 12, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514013846/http://www.1news.az/politics/20110511013056874.html |archive-date=May 14, 2011}}

In 2016 three Bell 412 helicopters were purchased from Canada, and by 2018 a number of pilots were trained in the type. A further undisclosed number of Bell 407 and MD-530 helicopters were obtained but neither type is currently operational as pilots have not been trained yet.{{cite web | url=https://www.vayuaerospace.in/article.html?n=thales:-supporting-india%E2%80%99s-big-ambitions&d=151 | title=Centennial of the Azerbaijani Air Force | date=October 29, 2018 }}

In 2023, a contract was signed for the modernization of Su-25s currently in use by the Azerbaijani Air Force. The project aimed to carry out the integration of Turkish Guided Ammunition Weapon Systems and avionics into the aircraft.{{Cite web |date=2023-07-26 |title=Azerbaycan'ın Su-25'lerini TUSAŞ Modernize Edecek |url=https://www.savunmasanayist.com/azerbaycanin-su-25lerini-tusas-modernize-edecek/ |access-date=2023-07-26 |language=tr}}

On 22 February 2024, a contract worth US$1.6 billion was signed with Pakistan for the purchase of an unspecified number of JF-17 Block 3 multi-role combat aircraft for the Azerbaijani Air Forces including the aircraft, training, and ordnance.{{Cite web |date=2024-02-22 |title=Pakistan signs largest ever fighter jet sale deal with Azerbaijan |url=https://www.azernews.az/nation/222206.html |access-date=2024-02-22 |website=Azernews.Az |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=AzeMedia |date=2024-02-22 |title=Pakistan has signed the largest deal in history with Azerbaijan for the sale of fighter jets |url=https://aze.media/pakistan-has-signed-the-largest-deal-in-history-with-azerbaijan-for-the-sale-of-fighter-jets/ |access-date=2024-02-22 |website=Aze.Media |language=en-US}}{{Cite web|url=https://pakobserver.net/pakistan-seals-1-6-billion-deal-with-azerbaijan-to-sell-jf-17-fighter-jets/|title=Pakistan seals $1.6 billion deal with Azerbaijan to sell JF-17 fighter jets|date=22 February 2024}}

On 6 April 2025, some news sources announced that Azerbaijan received its first SOM cruise missiles and conducted launch tests.{{Cite web |title=Azerbaycan Su-25’i SOM ŞAHİN Seyir Füzesi Attı|url=https://www.savunmasanayist.com/azerbaycan-su-25i-som-sahin-seyir-fuzesi-atti/|date=6 April 2025 |lang=tr|website=savunmasanayist.com }}

File:Military parade in Baku on an Army Day11.jpg

File:Military parade in Baku on an Army Day10.jpg

Azerbaijan has also a number of missile systems covering Azerbaijani airspace. The S-75 Dvina has been installed around Baku and additional installations are near the border with Iran and Dagestan. Some are installed to defend against Armenian aircraft. In terms of numbers, the IISS reported in 2002 that Azerbaijan had 100 S-75 Dvina, S-125 Neva/Pechora, and S-200 systems.{{cite journal |title=NATO and Non-NATO Europe |journal=The Military Balance |date=2002 |volume=102 |issue=1 |page=66 |issn=1479-9022 |doi=10.1093/milbal/102.1.27}} Among them are the medium range 2K11 Krug, for short range the 9K33 Osa and the 9K35 Strela-10 mobile SAM and the ZSU-23-4 Shilka vehicles to cover the armored forces against airstrikes. Azerbaijan has also lighter AA guns and MANPADS of varying quality.

In 2009 Azerbaijan's Defense Ministry signed a contract with Russia's Rosoboronexport company to buy two battalions of S-300PMU-2 Favorit.{{cite web |url=http://en.apa.az/news.php?id=126978 |title=Russian press: Azerbaijan signed a contract to buy S-300 surface-to-air missile systems from Russia – UPDATED |publisher=En.apa.az |access-date=2012-06-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120311004612/http://en.apa.az/news.php?id=126978 |archive-date=March 11, 2012 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}}{{cite web |url=http://milaz.info/en/news.php?id=5000 |title=Russian press: Azerbaijan signed a contract to buy S-300 surface-to-air missile systems from Russia |publisher=Milaz.info |access-date=2012-06-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100801234706/http://www.milaz.info/en/news.php?id=5000 |archive-date=August 1, 2010 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all}}

In January 2012, Azerbaijan and Israel signed a $1.6 billion deal that includes anti-aircraft and missile defense systems.{{cite web|url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/israel-signs-1-6-billion-arms-deal-with-azerbaijan-1.414916|title=Israel signs $1.6 billion arms deal with Azerbaijan|date=February 26, 2012|work=Haaretz.com|access-date=December 24, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014150831/http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/israel-signs-1-6-billion-arms-deal-with-azerbaijan-1.414916|archive-date=October 14, 2013|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}

Jane's said in 2009 that 'efforts to acquire more modern hardware are understood to have been underway for several years, but funding constraints proved to be a stumbling block. Until quite recently, only limited success was achieved, with the most significant addition to the inventory being a handful of Su-25s that were obtained from Georgia in 2002. In 2007, however, Azerbaijan took delivery of the first of a substantial number of MiG-29 'Fulcrum' fighters. These are understood to have originated from disparate sources, including Belarus, Russia and Ukraine, with at least some having been overhauled at Odesa in Ukraine prior to delivery.Jane's Sentinel Security Assessment, Russia and CIS, June 18, 2009, http://www.janes.com/extracts/extract/cissu/azers120.html

In January 2008, Azerbaijan engaged in talks with Pakistan over the JF-17 Thunder's possible sale to Azerbaijan.{{Cite web |url=https://apa.az/en/azerbaijan-army-azerbaijani-armed-forces/-43234 |title=Azerbaijan to buy JF-17 {{sic|aircra|fts|nolink=y}} from Pakistan |date=29 January 2008 |access-date=11 January 2021 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210111145843/https://apa.az/en/azerbaijan-army-azerbaijani-armed-forces/-43234 |archive-date=11 January 2021 |work=Azeri Press Agency |language=en |url-status=live }} In 2015, the Azerbaijani Air Forces negotiated with China for several dozen JF-17s worth approximately {{USD|16 to 18 million}} each.{{Citation|title=China supplies FC-1 multipurpose fighters to Azerbaijan|url=http://news.am/eng/news/8954.html|newspaper=News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402124131/http://news.am/eng/news/8954.html|place=AM|access-date=28 February 2015|archive-date=2 April 2015|url-status=live}} In 2018, Pakistani Armed Forces actively discussed military and defence cooperation with Azerbaijan, culminating in the latter expressing an interest in purchasing the fighter jet.{{Cite web |first=Shahid |last=Hussain |url=https://thediplomat.com/2020/05/pakistan-and-azerbaijan-deepening-a-mutually-beneficial-relationship/ |title=Pakistan and Azerbaijan: Deepening a Mutually Beneficial Relationship |date=19 May 2020 |access-date=11 January 2021 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200519204003/https://thediplomat.com/2020/05/pakistan-and-azerbaijan-deepening-a-mutually-beneficial-relationship/ |archive-date=19 May 2020 |work=The Diplomat |language=en |url-status=live }} In December 2018, Turan, an independent Azerbaijani news agency, reported that the negotiations between Azerbaijan and Pakistan on the purchase of JF-17 Block II combat aircraft were coming to the end.{{Cite web |url=https://www.turan.az/ext/news/2018/12/free/politics%20news/en/77072.htm |title=Azerbaijan to buy JF-17 Blok II combat aircraft from Pakistan |date=1 December 2018 |access-date=11 January 2021 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200930213442/http://www.turan.az/ext/news/2018/12/free/politics%20news/en/77072.htm |archive-date=30 September 2020 |work=Turan Information Agency |language=en |url-status=live }} In December 2019, Azerbaijan, eyeing military cooperation with Pakistan, again expressed its interest in purchasing the aircraft.{{Cite news |url=https://www.azernews.az/nation/159334.html |title=Azerbaijan, Pakistan eye military cooperation |date=10 December 2019 |access-date=11 January 2021 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210111151150/https://www.azernews.az/nation/159334.html |archive-date=11 January 2021 |work=AzerNews |language=en |url-status=live }}

On 20 February 2020, Azerbaijan's Defense Minister Zakir Hasanov signed a preliminary agreement on the procurement of Alenia Aermacchi M-346 Master during the President Ilham Aliyev's visit to Italy on that day. The Air Force plans to purchase 10-15 aircraft.{{cite web|url=http://www.turan.az/ext/news/2020/2/free/politics%20news/en/121940.htm|title=Azerbaijan Acquires Italian M-346 Master Combat Training Aircraft|website=turan.az|date=29 February 2020|accessdate=25 February 2021|archive-date=March 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210307090644/http://www.turan.az/ext/news/2020/2/free/politics%20news/en/121940.htm|url-status=live}}

• 29 January 2008: An Azerbaijani Air Force MiG-29UB crashed into the Caspian Sea during a training flight. Both crew members on board the MiG-29UB were killed.
• 3 March 2010: An Azerbaijani Air Force Su-25 crashed in the Tovuz region of Azerbaijan,{{cite web |url=http://www.today.az/news/society/63090.html |title=Military aircraft crashed in Azerbaijan |publisher=Today.az |date=March 4, 2010 |access-date=2012-06-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100305231442/http://www.today.az/news/society/63090.html |archive-date=March 5, 2010 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}} killing the pilot, Famil Mammadli.
• 3 February 2011: An Azerbaijani Air and Air Defense Force Su-25UB crashed in the Kurdamir region of Azerbaijan. Both crew members were not injured.{{Cite news |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/azerbaijan_military_plane_crash/2297555.html |title=Azerbaijani Military Plane Crashes |newspaper=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |date=February 4, 2011 |access-date=October 4, 2020 |archive-date=October 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009014707/https://www.rferl.org/a/azerbaijan_military_plane_crash/2297555.html |url-status=live }}
• 24 July 2019: During a night training flight, a MiG-29 fighter of the Azerbaijani Air Force crashed into the Caspian Sea after a bird strike. The pilot was killed in the crash.{{Cite news |url=https://en.trend.az/azerbaijan/politics/3107863.html |title=Causes of Azerbaijan's MiG-29 crash revealed |newspaper=Trend.az |date=August 22, 2019 |access-date=October 4, 2020 |archive-date=November 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107225532/https://en.trend.az/azerbaijan/politics/3107863.html |url-status=live }}
• 28 February 2022: Three Azerbaijani MiG-29 fighters were destroyed by Russian rocket attacks while undergoing repairs at Lviv State Aircraft Plant in Ukraine.{{Cite web |date=28 February 2022 |title=Russia has destroyed Azerbaijani fighter jets in Ukraine |url=https://www.ermenihaber.am/am/news/2022/02/28/Ռուսաստան-Ուկրաինա-ադրբեջան/226325 }}

{{Main|Military ranks of Azerbaijan}}

The rank insignia of commissioned officers.

The rank insignia of non-commissioned officers and enlisted personnel.

• Azerbaijani Land Forces
• Military history of Azerbaijan

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{{Azerbaijani Armed Forces}}

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Category:Azerbaijani Air Forces

Category:Military units and formations established in 1992

Category:1992 establishments in Azerbaijan