Defense Minister Zakir Hasanov held a meeting and issued instructions

A board meeting of the Ministry of Defense dedicated to the results of 2025 was held under the leadership of Minister of Defense Colonel General Zakir Hasanov.

This was reported by the defense ministry.

At the meeting, held in a videoconference format with the participation of deputy ministers, commanders of branches of troops (forces), the Commander of the Separate Combined Arms Army, the Rector of the National Defense University, heads of main departments and departments, commanders of military formations and units, as well as representatives of relevant state structures, the results of the work carried out during the current year were analyzed and the tasks on the agenda for 2026 were discussed.

At the beginning of the event, a minute of silence was observed in memory of the national leader Heydar Aliyev, as well as the martyrs who gave their lives for the independence, territorial integrity, and sovereignty of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

The Minister of Defense spoke about the successful reforms in the field of army building carried out in 2025 under the leadership of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, and brought to the attention of participants the instructions of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief assigned to the army. It was particularly noted that the country's defense potential plays an important role in the continuous growth of Azerbaijan's international authority and the transformation of the region into a global power center.

Colonel General Zakir Hasanov proudly stated that the exemplary discipline and military power demonstrated at the Military Parade dedicated to the fifth anniversary of the Victory in the Patriotic War, held on November 8 - Victory Day jointly with other structures of the Armed Forces, as well as the level of technical support, were highly appreciated by the victorious Supreme Commander-in-Chief.

The head of the ministry reported that in accordance with the instructions of the head of state, measures are being consistently and successfully implemented to organize the armed defense of the country's territorial integrity, reliably ensure military security, increase the operational capabilities and combat readiness of troops, as well as introduce modern weapons systems into the arsenal of the Azerbaijani army.

The Chairman of the board meeting Zakir Hasanov particularly noted the support of the leadership of the Security Council of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the State Security Service, and the Military Prosecutor's Office in preventing illegal actions and combating corruption in the service and combat activities of the Azerbaijani army in 2025, as well as in organizing counterintelligence, and brought to the attention of the board participants that joint activities in this direction will continue in the current year.

Subsequently, a comprehensive analysis of the service and combat activities carried out in the Azerbaijani army during 2025 was conducted. It was noted that, as in previous years, reforms carried out in the field of army building under the leadership of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief were resolutely continued in 2025.

Speakers at the board meeting reported that over the past year, servicemen of the Azerbaijani army participated in 15 bilateral and multilateral international exercises. It was emphasized that as a result of conducting various types of military exercises and intensive combat training sessions, the combat readiness of troops and the level of professionalism of personnel increased even more.

It was noted that in 2025 special attention was paid to mobilization training, and important steps were taken to improve the quality of mobilization resources. Thus, during 2025, the knowledge and skills of more than 19 thousand reservists of various specialties involved in training camps were improved, they were explained the operating rules of new weapons and equipment adopted for service, and practical training was conducted. It was stated that work in this direction will continue in 2026.

The attention of board members was drawn to the engineering and sapper activities carried out in the liberated territories, the construction of new roads, as well as work on creating military infrastructure. It was reported that during 2025, engineering and sapper units and state structures built up to 79 km of new roads, cleared up to 67 km of roads from snow, and restored more than 571 km of roads.

It was noted that special importance is attached to issues of protecting and strengthening the health of personnel, increasing the effectiveness of practical training, and further strengthening discipline.

It was reported that in the Azerbaijani army, timely supply of troops with all types of material and technical means in accordance with established norms, organization of quality nutrition for personnel, and maintenance of weapons, armored and automotive equipment in a state of constant combat readiness are ensured. It was emphasized that military units are continuously supplied with missiles, ammunition, and other military equipment.

It was brought to attention that over the past year, the goals set in the field of improving the social and living conditions of personnel were achieved, in particular, creating food supplies, clothing, fuel, and firewood in units deployed in mountainous areas in accordance with norms, fully providing servicemen with warm clothing, and generally in the field of material and technical support.

Detailed information was then provided about the innovations being implemented in the military education system. It was reported that in order to modernize the military academic education system, a number of new courses have been established for servicemen, and new specialties have been opened to ensure correspondence between military registration specialties and higher education programs.

At the meeting, it was particularly emphasized that the participation of representatives of the Azerbaijani army in a number of academic and strategic courses both domestically and abroad has a positive impact on the training of professional personnel.

It was noted that in the field of personnel recruitment, a number of innovations were also applied over the past year, and in order to optimize staffing in the Azerbaijani army, appropriate structural changes were made.

During the board meeting, opinions and proposals of officials regarding the results of 2025 and plans for the future were heard.

In his concluding speech, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov stated that the service and combat activities of the Azerbaijani army and the achievements obtained over the past year were highly appreciated by the Supreme Commander-in-Chief. He noted that international cooperation in military, military-technical, and military-educational spheres, as well as joint exercises, are of great importance in ensuring sustainable peace and security in the region.

Speaking about the activities planned for 2026, the minister once again emphasized the importance of paying special attention to increasing the professionalism of personnel, further growth in the level of combat training of troops, increasing the intensity of exercises and field training, mastering and increasing the efficiency of using newly adopted weapons and equipment, as well as applying innovative technologies.

Appropriate instructions were given on a more responsible approach to organizing combat duty and troop service to ensure vigilance.

The necessity of strict compliance with fire safety rules and other safety measures during daily service activities