Baku, July 17, 2026 – The Europe Today: A high-level Azerbaijani military delegation, led by First Deputy Minister of Defense and Chief of the General Staff of the Azerbaijan Army, Colonel General Karim Valiyev, visited several military and defence-industrial facilities in Belarus as part of an official visit aimed at strengthening bilateral defence cooperation.
According to Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Defense, the delegation toured an air base of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus and a separate airborne assault brigade, where members were briefed on the capabilities of military and special-purpose equipment operated by Belarusian Special Operations Forces and electronic warfare units.
As part of the visit programme, Colonel General Valiyev also visited the Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Application and Training Center and an enterprise of the State Military-Industrial Committee of the Republic of Belarus.
During the visit to the training centre, the Azerbaijani delegation received detailed briefings on its activities, including the training programmes for unmanned aerial systems operators and the advanced simulators used to enhance operational skills and readiness.
The visit also included discussions on modern defence technologies and practical experience in the operation and training of unmanned aerial systems, reflecting the growing importance of advanced military capabilities in contemporary defence planning.
As part of the official programme, the Azerbaijani delegation paid tribute to Hero of the Soviet Union Najafgulu Rafiyev by visiting his bust in Minsk, where they laid a wreath in honour of his memory and service.
The visit underscored the continued development of defence cooperation between Azerbaijan and Belarus, with both sides placing emphasis on military training, technological advancement and the exchange of professional expertise.
