NGO states, the Defense Ministry denies

Caspian Defense Studies Institute based in Germany stated about the drop of salaries of servicemen in Azerbaijan by 30-50% from January 1, 2016. However the Defense Ministry denied this information.  Informed military experts explained that salaries remained the same, but the allowance to certain categories were reduced. The reduction of overstaffing is also reported. According to the Caspian Defense Studies Institute,  salaries of more than 3,000 of officers and warrant officers were reduced. Sources of the Institute also claim that dozens of employees of the Defense Ministry and the General Staff were sent to military units. In addition, in December and January, some of the compounds of the Ministry were abolished. Serious structural changes in the army will continue.

It was also decided to postpone the construction and reconstruction of most of the military units and the construction of housing for officers and warrant officers. There will be a reduction in the number of military exercises, arms purchases, says "Caspian". However, the press service of the Defense Ministry denies this, saying that the defense spending in 2016 will be increased. Allowances for military personnel is not reduced, there is no change in the number of the armed forces.

On the contrary, as a result of structural changes in the central office and the headquarters of the Armed Forces was reached a full optimization, placed on the front line in the new military units fighting appointment increased the number of specialized posts. Due to this, salaries of servicemen in percentage terms increased, social security base personnel and their families was enhanced. These measures will be continued in 2016.

Thus in 2016 the commissioning of 10 new military camps, as well as official and permanent apartments is expected. Three military towns will be put into operation by the Novruz holiday. A number of exercises involving different types of troops, including bilateral and multilateral level within the framework of international cooperation is also planned.

Military expert Uzeyir Jafarov told Turan, that the talk about lowering wages came after a delay in the issuance of the 13th wage. Salary itself was not reduced;  simply militants serving in the front line, and the adjacent parts of the frontal zone received the same two-fold salaries.

Now, the militants of the frontline reserve troops would receive  a salary and a half, and will  those who are serving at the forefront  will receive two-fold salaries. This will encourage the military to serve on the front line, he said.

At the same time, the dismissal of military at  retirement age, as well as the elimination of redundant staff members is expected. -06D-