Israel & Azerbaijan Forge Deeper Defense Bonds as Billions in Weaponry Are Sold to West Asian Nation

Edited by: Fern Sidman

According to recent reports, Israel and Azerbaijan have been cementing their already robust relationship, primarily driven by their longstanding and fruitful security partnership. This deepening bond extends beyond arms deals, encompassing various economic and strategic aspects of cooperation between the two nations, according to a report on Ynet News.

Israeli officials arrive in Azerbaijan to discuss future defense deals with this strategic country that borders Iran. Seen here is Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev shaking hands at the airport with the delegation. #Israel @Azerbaijan #defense #iran @presidentaz pic.twitter.com/YXTq5kqzAn

— The Jewish Voice (@JewishVoice) October 5, 2023

Azerbaijani armed forces have showcased an impressive array of Israeli-made weaponry, underlining the extent of their partnership with Israeli defense industries. The report that was published on Monday at YnetNews.com indicated that over the past two decades, Israel has sold several key weapons systems to Azerbaijan, amounting to billions of dollars in trade. This includes unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) such as the Heron by Israel Aerospace Industries, the Orbiter by Aeronautics, and the Hermes 900 by Elbit Systems. Additionally, SPIKE anti-tank missiles from Rafael and LORA precision ground-to-ground missiles from Israel Military Industries (IMI). The YnetNews.com report said that they are all part of Azerbaijan’s military arsenal.

Recent reports even suggest that Israel will be manufacturing two reconnaissance satellites for Azerbaijan’s security apparatus in the coming years. This signifies a growing strategic alignment between the two nations, going beyond arms sales.

In exchange for bolstering Azerbaijan’s military capabilities against its neighbor Armenia, Israel is granted substantial access to the lengthy border that Azerbaijan shares with Iran, as was reported by YnetNews.com.  This access is rare and provides Israel with strategic advantages in the region. Some reports have even suggested the existence of Israeli intelligence bases within Azerbaijani territory.

Furthermore, it is claimed that the Iranian nuclear archive, which was clandestinely acquired by the Mossad in 2018, was smuggled through Azerbaijan en route to Israel, as was noted in the YnetNews.com report. These reports underscore the strategic significance of Azerbaijan in Israel’s regional interests.

Signs of the strengthening ties between Israel and Azerbaijan became apparent just days before the invasion of Nagorno-Karabakh, as a high-level Israeli security delegation led by Defense Ministry Director-General Major General (Res.) Eyal Zamir visited Baku, YnetNews.com reported on Monday. These visits underscore the growing cooperation at the highest levels of government.

Israeli defense companies, although often vocal about their global deals, remain relatively tight-lipped when it comes to their extensive relations with Azerbaijan, according to the YnetNews.com report. This relationship is described as that of a “good client that pays on time.” Even in their periodic financial reports, companies like Elbit Systems and Israel Aerospace Industries rarely disclose their activities with Azerbaijan.

Financial reports from these companies merely list sales to Azerbaijan under the general category of sales to Asian countries. However, these dealings are substantial, with Israel Aerospace Industries reporting around $1.9 billion in sales to Asia from June 2022 to June 2023, more than double their sales to Europe during the same period. Elbit Systems also saw over 25% of its global sales from the Asia-Pacific region in 2022, amounting to approximately $1.4 billion, as was stated in the YnetNews.com report. In the first quarter of 2023, Elbit’s sales to Asia reached approximately $340 million.

A significant aspect of this partnership is the clandestine transport of goods between Israel and Azerbaijan. An investigation revealed that nearly 100 cargo flights have taken off from Ovda Air Force Base in the Negev directly to an airport near Baku, further indicating the depth of this cooperation, according to the YnetNews.com report.

Notably, Major General (Res.) Eyal Zamir is not the only Israeli dignitary to visit Azerbaijan. Previously, President Isaac Herzog, Foreign Minister Eli Cohen, and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant have all visited the country, the report said. Gallant’s visit in July aimed to strengthen strategic relations further.

Moreover, Azerbaijan has recently opened an embassy in Israel, symbolizing its intent to broaden ties and replicate the successful security relations in other areas. Cooperation will extend to infrastructure, desalination, water management, and agriculture, the YnetNews.com report said.

Azerbaijan is already a significant oil supplier to Israel, exporting over 2 million tons in 2022, accounting for approximately 40% of Israel’s oil consumption for that year.

Recently, ASHRA, the government-owned trade risk insurance company, held discussions with Azerbaijani Ambassador to Israel Mukhtar Mammadov to explore opportunities for Israeli businesses in Azerbaijan, as was mentioned in the YnetNews.com report. Israeli companies specializing in smart agriculture and crop enhancement, such as Agrigu, Granot International, and Agrotop, were particularly highlighted during these discussions. The report added that ASHRA will provide a credit insurance framework of $200 million to support Israeli exporters in establishing operations in Azerbaijan.

This expanding cooperation between Israel and Azerbaijan extends beyond security and defense. It is indicative of the broader geopolitical realignment taking place in the region, as the YnetNews.com report suggested.  As Israel strengthens its relationships in the South Caucasus, it’s altering the regional balance of power and pursuing its strategic interests.

While this deepening relationship with Azerbaijan has been fruitful for Israel, it has also raised concerns, particularly regarding Israel’s stance on historical issues, as was noted in the YnetNews.com report.  Israel has not officially recognized the Armenian Genocide of 1915, a genocide that claimed the lives of over a million Armenians. Azerbaijan’s role in this matter has implications for Israel’s international standing and moral responsibility.

In a remarkable turn of events, last week, Israeli security officials celebrated a 4.3 billion euro deal to sell Arrow 3 defense missiles to Germany. YnetNews.com reported that this deal is a testament to the evolving dynamics in international relations, where former adversaries now engage in cooperation. It also highlights Israel’s growing stature in the global arms market.

The significance of Israel’s partnership with Azerbaijan reaches far beyond arms sales. It encompasses strategic, economic, and geopolitical interests that reflect the evolving dynamics of the Middle East and the South Caucasus.