Thursday, July 13 2017 17:51

ArmInfo.Azerbaijan has a system of counteraction to Iskander missile complexes purchased by Armenia. Azerbaijani Defense Minister Zakir Hasanov stated this in an  interview with RIA Novosti.

"I, as Minister of Defense, declare that we have a system of  opposition - we can shoot down these missiles.  We also have rockets,  in quantity of 50 times more. I bear full responsibility for the  spoken words. Imagine what would be a retaliatory blow to the  infrastructure and military objectives, if they decide to apply them.   In the world there are several types of tactics for the use of  troops," said the head of the Defense Ministry of Azerbaijan.

According to him, of course, Iskander is a good missile, but there  are several issues. In particular, what kind of these missiles are  they, in what technical condition are they, who controls them, and,  finally, will they be able to use them? "We as military people always  consider the worst option, we are ready for it.  Missiles, which I  told you, were purchased not in the Russian Federation, but they are  not worse in quality.  And I'll tell you that we simulated the  situation, we conducted live firing. The result is excellent. To  date, we are confident that we will be able to protect our military  installations from missile attacks from the air," Hasanov said.

Answering the question whether the signing of an agreement on  military-technical cooperation between Russia and Azerbaijan is  planned, Hasanov noted that an interstate agreement on  military-technical cooperation exists between Moscow and Baku, an  interstate commission has been established. "We are headed by First  Deputy Prime Minister Yagub Eyubov, From Russian - Deputy Prime  Minister Dmitry Rogozin. This commission meets several times a year,  determines the direction of military-technical cooperation. During  these meetings, issues are resolved in the working order. And this is  the current workflow, problems arise in any case. The seller wants to  sell more expensive, the buyer - to buy better and cheaper.  Naturally, current issues are being resolved. To date, all arms  deliveries, which were determined by the agreement between Azerbaijan  and Russia, have already been fulfilled by 90%. We are already  studying additional samples of weapons, we are asking and testing." 

Touching upon the conduct of joint military exercises of Azerbaijan,  Turkey and Georgia, Hasanov said it is too early to talk about  specific terms, because in one country or another there are  contingencies. "We are preparing a joint document, which will provide  for cooperation between the armed forces of Georgia, Turkey and  Azerbaijan. This document provides for joint exercises. Moreover,  with Turkey, we have already conducted joint exercises of the Air  Force, special forces, motorized infantry units and tank units.   Simultaneously with the participation of Georgia, the joint  tripartite command post exercises of Eternity are conducted. At the  last meeting of defense ministers in Batumi, we agreed to invite  Georgia to joint exercises conducted with Turkey. In June this year,  joint exercises were held with Turkey in which representatives of the  Georgian Armed Forces also participated," he said.