Azerbaijani Defense Minister, Colonel-General Zakir Hasanov in his interview with Vice President of the ANS TV Mirshahin Agayev told about command and staff war games held from 6 to 13 September, the tasks that were set for the troops in these games, and how these objectives have been met.



According to Gen. Hasanov, during the exercise readiness of the Azerbaijani army was verified. Divisions of the Air Force, Air Defense, naval, missile and artillery troops were raised on alarm and moved to predetermined areas. Zakir Hasanov said that all the goals of the troops have been achieved. According to the minister, the combat readiness of troops is growing steadily, command and control is at a high level. Divisions of the Azerbaijani Army during the exercise marched at a distance of over 300 km, and during the march, no unit of combat and other equipment was not out of order, the minister said. The exercise was attended by 65 thousand soldiers, these exercises have become the most ambitious in the history of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces.

Responding to Mirhshim Agayev`s question, the Minister spoke about the provocation of the Armenian side.

`During the large-scale military exercises of the Azerbaijani Army, the Armenian side made a provocation. Armenia raised its military planes and sent them to our borders,` said Defence Minister Zakir Hasanov.

The minister said that Azerbaijan`s air defense immediately spotted this fact, and our Air Force coerced Armenian aircraft to return to their positions.

`We also raised our planes in the air. I gave the order, according to which the Armenian planes would have been destroyed, if they ever got even a centimeter inside our borders. We were fully prepared,` the minister said.

Responding to a question about the use of the Azerbaijani army artillery during skirmishes on the frontline, about which Serzh Sargsyan was complaining in the Kremlin, the minister said that the root of all problems is the fact that Armenia occupied Azerbaijani territories. Zakir Hasanov said that Azerbaijan considers separatism as a kind of terrorism and with terrorists there can be no negotiations. Zakir Hasanov said that the Armenian side has been advised that each provocation on their part will be given a prompt and adequate response. The Minister said that he ordered troops to answer tenfold for every shot from the Armenian side.



`If they continue to bombard our civilian population, by my order we will fire back not only on their positions, but also on settlements.We have no other way. We have repeatedly warned about the inadmissibility of the shelling of civilians, but they do not stop to shoot at peaceful people. Return fire will be opened from large-calibre weapons,` said Z.Hasanov.

Responding to a journalist`s question, whether Sargsyan was right referring to the use by Azerbaijan of its artillery, the defence minister said that making response fire strikes against the Armenians, Azerbaijan uses all its capabilities, and if the enemy doesn`t stop its provocations, then it will bear even more devastating hits.

According to Gen. Hasanov, the Azerbaijani Army has weapons of increased power, which has not been used until now. This weapons, the name of which the minister did not disclose, were involved in the exercises.

Zakir Hasanov also spoke about the communication systems and automatic control systems, the use of which allows you to take right decisions on the battlefield.



Asked about the `Shant-2015` exercises held in Armenia, during which the Armenian side rehearsed evacuation of the population, deployment of hospitals and evacuation of the wounded, the minister said that each party at their exercises works out what it prepares itself for. From these exercises held both in Azerbaijan, and in Armenia, it is clear what can be a situation in the future.

`I declare that according to the orders of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, the level of combat readiness of the Armed Forces is such, that we are always ready to liberate the occupied territories. I would like to see the enemy understand that they could end tragically. While it is not too late, they must withdraw from the occupied territories,` said Zakir Hasanov.

Asked what tasks will be put forward to the troops in the following exercises, the Defence Minister said that there will be carried out tactical exercises of tank, rocket, artillery and aviation units, during which will be carried out missile tests and worked out artillery and air strikes. In addition, scientists will be involved in special units, intelligence units and engineering-sapper troops, he said.

`Our main task, which is set before us by the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, is to check the level of combat readiness of the troops, to analyse it and to report on the results,` the minister said.

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