Azernews.Az

By Gunay Camal

Azerbaijan’s Defense Ministry reported that supply of military units on the first line of defense as well as in the combat zone is done in accordance with standard quotas.

Activities are underway to create the supplementary reserve stocks for long term combat operations, the ministry added.

“Troops are being supplied with all caliber ammunition and shells designated for various weaponry systems, hardware and other combat equipment produced in local defense industry facilities, Russia and other countries,” the report reads.

Planned activities on replenishment of ammunition and shells used against Armenian armed forces during counter-offensive operations and creation of supplementary reserves are being implemented according to the Defense Minister’s order.

Azerbaijan has raised its military spending by at least 10-fold over the last decade to about $4.8 billion in 2015. The country's military budget exceeds the overall state budget of occupant Armenia by $2 billion, while its defense budget saw a threefold increase to $447 million in 2015.

While increasing military expenses, Azerbaijan also purchased new weapons and ammunition from countries of close cooperation in the military-technical field. The main military suppliers of the country are Turkey, Israel, Russia and the U.S. Moreover, the country established its national military industry to avoid dependence on equipment from foreign countries.

As the country is suffering from the occupation of its internationally recognized lands, Azerbaijan has strengthened its defense to force the Armenians to sit at the negotiating table.

Armenia and Azerbaijan fought a lengthy war that ended with the signing of a fragile ceasefire in 1994. More than 20,000 Azerbaijanis were killed and over 1 million were displaced as a result of the large-scale hostilities. Since the war, Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan's territory, including Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding regions.

The OSCE Minsk Group acted as the only mediator in resolution of the conflict, proceeding talks based on the renewed Madrid principles.

The situation on the frontline aggravated on April 2 after the Armenian military units in the occupied lands began shelling Azerbaijan’s positions. To protect civilian population, the Azerbaijani Armed Forces launched counter attacks and as a result, the Azerbaijani troops retook hills around the village of Talish, as well as Seysulan settlement, and also took over Lele Tepe hill located in the direction of Fizuli region.

Azerbaijan and Armenia declared a truce brokered by Russia on April 5. But, still Armenia continues to breach the ceasefire, firing the worst violence in more than 20 years in the occupied Nagorno-Karabakh.

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