The Azerbaijani Army
A national army born at the dawn of independence in 1918 — the shield of the country that returned Karabakh and restored the homeland's territorial integrity.
A shield of the nation since 1918
Armed Forces Day of Azerbaijan is celebrated on 26 June. On that day in 1918 the government of the young Azerbaijan Democratic Republic decided to create the first regular national army — the starting point of the country's modern Armed Forces.
Over a century the army travelled from the first units of the republic, through decades and trials, to today's modern, high-tech and victorious Armed Forces. This site is about their history, branches, strength and the 2020 victory that returned Karabakh to Azerbaijan.
The holiday in dates
One of the region's strongest armies
Today's Armed Forces of Azerbaijan are professional, high-tech and battle-tested. A few indicators (open estimates):
About the Armed Forces
History
From the first 1918 republic army and the 1991 re-establishment to today's victorious force.
Branches
Land Forces, Air Force and air defence, Navy, special forces, combat drones and precision weapons.
Karabakh & victory
The 2020 Patriotic War: 44 days, Shusha and the restoration of territorial integrity.
26 June
Why the holiday falls on this very day, the military parade, symbolism and traditions.
The “Iron Fist” returned the homeland's lands — and proved that justice can be restored.
The army that returned Karabakh
In the autumn of 2020, in 44 days, the Azerbaijani army liberated Shusha and hundreds of settlements, restoring the country's territorial integrity after almost three decades.
Go to the sectionThis is a cultural and educational project for Armed Forces Day. Numeric figures are based on open sources and estimates and may vary. All images are documentary photographs from Wikimedia Commons and official sources (CC BY / CC BY-SA / Public domain).