ArmInfo. The intention of Azerbaijan to conduct large-scale military exercises in July 2018 was criticized in Yerevan.
Spokesman for the Armenian Foreign Ministry Tigran Balayan, commenting on the upcoming military exercises, said in particular: "Azerbaijan announced large-scale military exercises in July this year .In accordance with the fifth chapter of the Vienna Document of the OSCE, Azerbaijan was obliged to notify about it at least 42 days before, which was not done. Azeri military exercises with violation of OSCE commitments are permanent, having a negative impact on military transparency and predictability in the region. Armenian side consistently raises issues of violation of arms control by Azerbaijan and measures to build confidence and security on the OSCE site, stressing that such irresponsible steps threaten security and peace in the OSCE region."
As Azeri media reported with reference to the Ministry of Defense, the Azeri Armed Forces will conduct large-scale exercises on July 2-6 with the involvement of various types and kinds of special forces, groups and formations of Azeri army. The exercises will involve up to 20,000 military personnel, up to 120 tanks and other armored vehicles, over 200 rocket and artillery systems of different caliber, multiple rocket launchers and mortars, and up to 30 units of army and front-line aviation for various purposes. During the exercise, the troops will carry out tasks to conduct various types of military operations, including the imposition of reliable fire destruction of missile, artillery, bomb and assault strikes of precision systems, aircraft and strikes of unmanned aerial vehicles. During the exercises at various ranges, it is planned to conduct combat firing using the most modern types of weapons and military equipment.