Azerbaijan needs long-range missiles to counter Iran's military - analyst

Baku/24.06.23/Turan: Azerbaijan's purchases of long-range missiles may be associated with risks and threats to the country's security emanating from Iran.

This opinion was expressed to Turan by political analyst Fuad Shahbazov, commenting on the statement of President Ilham Aliyev on June 23 on the conclusion of contracts for new supplies of UAVs, as well as long-range missiles.

He emphasized that one of the main priority issues for Azerbaijan after the Second Karabakh War is "further modernization of the army and the purchase of more modern weapons systems."

According to the expert, Azerbaijan has doubled its military spending since 2020.

"From this point of view, it is not surprising that President Ilham Aliyev announced the purchase of new combat drones and long-range missiles. And if we also take into account the fact that Azerbaijan's relations with Iran have been very tense over the past two years, and the Iranian military and statesmen periodically threaten Azerbaijan in one form or another, then these are serious security challenges for the country.

With that end in view, Azerbaijan may be interested in increasing the number of long-range missiles and combat drones to counter these threats. I think that the escalation between the two countries will be manifested for a long time in the military spending and military policy of Azerbaijan," he said. -16b-