Azerbaijan Navy
Encyclopedia
The Azerbaijan Navy is the Naval component of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces
operating in the Caspian Sea
.
established the navy force on the basis of Russian Imperial fleet deployed in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea. The navy had 6 ships. After establishment of Soviet rule in Azerbaijan, the navy was transferred under jurisdiction of Soviet Navy
. In 1991, with collapse of the Soviet Union, the Azerbaijani fleet of Soviet Navy was divided between Azerbaijan and Russian Federation. In July 1992, the Azerbaijani ships were put into operation under Azerbaijani Flag
raiding the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea.
According to the Presidential
Decree of Heydar Aliyev
from 1996, August 5 was declared the Day of Azerbaijani Navy. As of today, Azerbaijani Navy is considered second strongest in the Caspian Sea after Russian fleet.
Jane's Fighting Ships
said in their entry for the Azeri Navy in their 2001-2002 edition that 'the Coast Guard was formed in July 2002 with ships transferred from the Caspian Flotilla
and the Border Guard. By 1995 overall control had been resumed by the Russians in order to provide adequate maintenance and support. The aim is to be independent again in due course.' It named the navy's commander at the time as Captain Rafig Asgarov
. Currently, the navy is led by Vice Admiral
Shahin Sultanov
.
Flotilla
and a Border Coast Guard
.
The navy has in service
There are 7 minesweepers
consisting out of; 2 - Sonya Class
and 5 - Yevgenya Class
minesweepers. There are 6 landing craft
, 2 landing cutters, 1 special purposes warship
and 1 special purposes cutter.
In 2000 Azerbaijan acquired an AB-25 patrol boat from Turkey, USCG Point class cutter
s from USA in 2003, 2 small patrol cutters from USA in 2001 and 30 small patrol cutters from Turkey in 2001–2005.
. The training and organisation structure of the unit may be similar to Turkish special forces, Su Altı Taarruz
and United States
Special Forces who have a training relationship with them.
In 2004 a U.S. Navy SEAL
team from Little Creek Amphibious Base, Va., participate in joint exercises with the Azeri Navy’s 641st Special Warfare Naval Unit, headquartered at the Azeri Naval Station outside Baku.
The unit has been described as an 'impressive new maritime special forces unit.
In 2005, Blackwater USA
's Maritime Division was contracted to conduct interdiction training for the Azerbaijani naval special forces.
On May 19, 2006 the Azeri and Turkish Navy
held a joint military exercise on safeguarding the security of oil and gas pipelines in Baku. The training session was observed by the Azerbaijan Navy commander Shahin Sultanov
and Turkish Armed Forces
attaché Seyhan Ceyhan. The activities aimed to ensure the safety of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline
(BTC), the main export pipeline to take Caspian oil to Turkey and further on to world markets, as well as on expanding cooperation between the two countries’ military. The exercises started with the clearance of mines that ended up on the seabed. This was followed by rendering harmless the traps planted in the area by symbolic terrorists. The training concluded with the practice of a maritime and air operations.
In 2007 an agreement between Azeri Navy and one of the US military companies was concluded, which stated that a part of the Azeri Navy would be equipped with advanced laser marksmanship device/system. The US company specialists were also to give training for the use of new equipment.
with those of U.S. Central Command and other U.S government agencies to enhance Caspian security. The initiative assists the two countries in improving their ability to prevent and, if needed, respond to terrorism, nuclear proliferation, drug and human trafficking, and other transnational threats in the Caspian region. EUCOM is responsible for operations in Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijani Armed Forces
The Azerbaijani Armed Forces were re-established according to the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan on the Armed Forces from 9 October 1991. The Azerbaijan Democratic Republic had originally formed its own armed forces from 26 June 1918...
operating in the Caspian Sea
Caspian Sea
The Caspian Sea is the largest enclosed body of water on Earth by area, variously classed as the world's largest lake or a full-fledged sea. The sea has a surface area of and a volume of...
.
History
The inception of Azerbaijani Naval Forces dates back to August 5, 1918 when the government of Azerbaijan Democratic RepublicAzerbaijan Democratic Republic
The Azerbaijan Democratic Republic was the first successful attempt to establish a democratic and secular republic in the Muslim world . The ADR was founded on May 28, 1918 after the collapse of the Russian Empire that began with the Russian Revolution of 1917 by Azerbaijani National Council in...
established the navy force on the basis of Russian Imperial fleet deployed in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea. The navy had 6 ships. After establishment of Soviet rule in Azerbaijan, the navy was transferred under jurisdiction of Soviet Navy
Soviet Navy
The Soviet Navy was the naval arm of the Soviet Armed Forces. Often referred to as the Red Fleet, the Soviet Navy would have played an instrumental role in a Warsaw Pact war with NATO, where it would have attempted to prevent naval convoys from bringing reinforcements across the Atlantic Ocean...
. In 1991, with collapse of the Soviet Union, the Azerbaijani fleet of Soviet Navy was divided between Azerbaijan and Russian Federation. In July 1992, the Azerbaijani ships were put into operation under Azerbaijani Flag
Flag of Azerbaijan
The flag of Azerbaijan is the national flag of Azerbaijan. It consists of an horizontal tricolour of blue, red, and green, with a white crescent and an eight-pointed star centered in the red band. The blue band refers to the nation's Turkic heritage, the red stands for progress, and the green...
raiding the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea.
According to the Presidential
President of Azerbaijan
The country of Azerbaijan is a presidential republic, with the President of Azerbaijan as the head of state, and the Prime Minister of Azerbaijan as head of government...
Decree of Heydar Aliyev
Heydar Aliyev
Heydar Alirza oglu Aliyev , also spelled as Heidar Aliev, Geidar Aliev, Haydar Aliyev, Geydar Aliyev was the third President of Azerbaijan for the New Azerbaijan Party from June 1993 to October 2003, when his son Ilham Aliyev succeeded him.From 1969 till 1982, Aliyev was also the leader of Soviet...
from 1996, August 5 was declared the Day of Azerbaijani Navy. As of today, Azerbaijani Navy is considered second strongest in the Caspian Sea after Russian fleet.
Jane's Fighting Ships
Jane's Fighting Ships
Jane's Fighting Ships is an annual reference book of information on all the world's warships arranged by nation, including information on ship's names, dimensions, armaments, silhouettes and photographs, etc...
said in their entry for the Azeri Navy in their 2001-2002 edition that 'the Coast Guard was formed in July 2002 with ships transferred from the Caspian Flotilla
Caspian Flotilla
The Caspian Flotilla is the oldest Russian military flotilla, stationed in the Caspian Sea. It was awarded the Order of the Red Banner in 1945.-Establishment:...
and the Border Guard. By 1995 overall control had been resumed by the Russians in order to provide adequate maintenance and support. The aim is to be independent again in due course.' It named the navy's commander at the time as Captain Rafig Asgarov
Rafig Asgarov
Counter Admiral Rafig Asgarov was the Commander of Azerbaijani Naval Forces since restoration of independence of Azerbaijan in 1991. Born in 1949 and appointed Commander of Azerbaijani Naval Forces in 1991, he was one of the few Azerbaijani admirals who served in high ranking positions...
. Currently, the navy is led by Vice Admiral
Vice Admiral
Vice admiral is a senior naval rank of a three-star flag officer, which is equivalent to lieutenant general in the other uniformed services. A vice admiral is typically senior to a rear admiral and junior to an admiral...
Shahin Sultanov
Shahin Sultanov
Vice Admiral Shahin Sultanov Ashraf oglu is the Commander of Azerbaijani Naval Forces.-Career in Azerbaijani Navy:Sultanov graduated from Navigation department of Azerbaijan Naval Academy...
.
Strength
The navy has about 5,000 personnel in sixteen units including the CaspianCaspian Sea
The Caspian Sea is the largest enclosed body of water on Earth by area, variously classed as the world's largest lake or a full-fledged sea. The sea has a surface area of and a volume of...
Flotilla
Flotilla
A flotilla , or naval flotilla, is a formation of small warships that may be part of a larger fleet. A flotilla is usually composed of a homogeneous group of the same class of warship, such as frigates, destroyers, torpedo boats, submarines, gunboats, or minesweepers...
and a Border Coast Guard
Coast guard
A coast guard or coastguard is a national organization responsible for various services at sea. However the term implies widely different responsibilities in different countries, from being a heavily armed military force with customs and security duties to being a volunteer organization tasked with...
.
The navy has in service
- 1 - Petya class frigatePetya class frigateThe Petya Class was the NATO reporting name for a class of light frigates built for the Soviet Navy in the 1960s. The Soviet Designation was Storozhevoi Korabl Project 159.-Design:...
; 7 patrol boatPatrol boatA patrol boat is a relatively small naval vessel generally designed for coastal defense duties.There have been many designs for patrol boats. They may be operated by a nation's navy, coast guard, or police force, and may be intended for marine and/or estuarine or river environments...
s consisting out of; 2 - OSA-II-ClassOsa class missile boatThe Project 205 Tsunami, more commonly known by their NATO reporting name Osa, are a class of missile boats developed for the Soviet Navy in the early 1960s. The Osas are probably the most numerous class of missile boats ever built, with over 400 vessels constructed for both the Soviet Navy and for...
and 5 - Stenka ClassStenka class patrol boatThe Stenka class is the NATO reporting name for a class of patrol boats built for the Soviet Navy and Soviet Allies. The Soviet designation was Project 205P Tarantul...
patrol boats.
There are 7 minesweepers
Minesweeper (ship)
A minesweeper is a small naval warship designed to counter the threat posed by naval mines. Minesweepers generally detect then neutralize mines in advance of other naval operations.-History:...
consisting out of; 2 - Sonya Class
Sonya class minesweeper
The Sonya class were a group of minesweepers built for the Soviet Navy and Soviet allies between 1971 and 1991. The Soviet designation is Project 1265 Yakhont.-Design:...
and 5 - Yevgenya Class
Yevgenya class minesweeper
The Yevgenia class are a group of minesweepers built for the Soviet Navy and export customers between 1967 and 1980. The Soviet designation was Project 1258 Korund.-Design:These were small minehunters built for inshore work...
minesweepers. There are 6 landing craft
Landing craft
Landing craft are boats and seagoing vessels used to convey a landing force from the sea to the shore during an amphibious assault. Most renowned are those used to storm the beaches of Normandy, the Mediterranean, and many Pacific islands during WWII...
, 2 landing cutters, 1 special purposes warship
Warship
A warship is a ship that is built and primarily intended for combat. Warships are usually built in a completely different way from merchant ships. As well as being armed, warships are designed to withstand damage and are usually faster and more maneuvrable than merchant ships...
and 1 special purposes cutter.
In 2000 Azerbaijan acquired an AB-25 patrol boat from Turkey, USCG Point class cutter
USCG Point class cutter
The United States Coast Guard Point Class Cutters were a class of 82-foot patrol vessels designed to replace the aging 83-foot wooden hull patrol boat being used at the time. The design utilized a mild steel hull and an aluminum superstructure...
s from USA in 2003, 2 small patrol cutters from USA in 2001 and 30 small patrol cutters from Turkey in 2001–2005.
Navy Special Forces
In 2001, Azerbaijan created a special forces unit which was established with cooperation with the Turkish NavyTurkish Navy
The Turkish Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the Turkish Armed Forces.- Ottoman fleet after Mudros :Following the demise of the Ottoman Empire in the aftermath of World War I, on November 3, 1918, the fleet commander of the Ottoman Navy, Liva Amiral Arif Pasha, ordered all flags to be...
. The training and organisation structure of the unit may be similar to Turkish special forces, Su Altı Taarruz
Su Alti Taarruz
Su Altı Taarruz is one of two special operations units of the Turkish Navy ....
and United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Special Forces who have a training relationship with them.
In 2004 a U.S. Navy SEAL
United States Navy SEALs
The United States Navy's Sea, Air and Land Teams, commonly known as Navy SEALs, are the U.S. Navy's principal special operations force and a part of the Naval Special Warfare Command as well as the maritime component of the United States Special Operations Command.The acronym is derived from their...
team from Little Creek Amphibious Base, Va., participate in joint exercises with the Azeri Navy’s 641st Special Warfare Naval Unit, headquartered at the Azeri Naval Station outside Baku.
The unit has been described as an 'impressive new maritime special forces unit.
In 2005, Blackwater USA
Blackwater Worldwide
Xe Services LLC, better known by its former names, Blackwater USA and Blackwater Worldwide, is a private military company founded in 1997 by Erik Prince and Al Clark.. Xe is currently the largest of the U.S. State Department's three private security contractors...
's Maritime Division was contracted to conduct interdiction training for the Azerbaijani naval special forces.
Cooperation with U.S.
In 2006 the US Government donated three motorboats to the Azerbaijani navy. There is also an agreement to provide US support to refurbish Azeri warships in the Caspian sea.On May 19, 2006 the Azeri and Turkish Navy
Turkish Navy
The Turkish Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the Turkish Armed Forces.- Ottoman fleet after Mudros :Following the demise of the Ottoman Empire in the aftermath of World War I, on November 3, 1918, the fleet commander of the Ottoman Navy, Liva Amiral Arif Pasha, ordered all flags to be...
held a joint military exercise on safeguarding the security of oil and gas pipelines in Baku. The training session was observed by the Azerbaijan Navy commander Shahin Sultanov
Shahin Sultanov
Vice Admiral Shahin Sultanov Ashraf oglu is the Commander of Azerbaijani Naval Forces.-Career in Azerbaijani Navy:Sultanov graduated from Navigation department of Azerbaijan Naval Academy...
and Turkish Armed Forces
Turkish Armed Forces
The Turkish Armed Forces are the military forces of the Republic of Turkey. They consist of the Army, the Navy , and the Air Force...
attaché Seyhan Ceyhan. The activities aimed to ensure the safety of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline
Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline
The Baku–Tbilisi–Ceyhan pipeline is a long crude oil pipeline from the Azeri-Chirag-Guneshli oil field in the Caspian Sea to the Mediterranean Sea. It connects Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan; Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia; and Ceyhan, a port on the south-eastern Mediterranean coast of Turkey,...
(BTC), the main export pipeline to take Caspian oil to Turkey and further on to world markets, as well as on expanding cooperation between the two countries’ military. The exercises started with the clearance of mines that ended up on the seabed. This was followed by rendering harmless the traps planted in the area by symbolic terrorists. The training concluded with the practice of a maritime and air operations.
In 2007 an agreement between Azeri Navy and one of the US military companies was concluded, which stated that a part of the Azeri Navy would be equipped with advanced laser marksmanship device/system. The US company specialists were also to give training for the use of new equipment.
Caspian Guard Initiative
The Caspian Guard Initiative is a framework program designed to coordinate activities in Azerbaijan and KazakhstanKazakhstan
Kazakhstan , officially the Republic of Kazakhstan, is a transcontinental country in Central Asia and Eastern Europe. Ranked as the ninth largest country in the world, it is also the world's largest landlocked country; its territory of is greater than Western Europe...
with those of U.S. Central Command and other U.S government agencies to enhance Caspian security. The initiative assists the two countries in improving their ability to prevent and, if needed, respond to terrorism, nuclear proliferation, drug and human trafficking, and other transnational threats in the Caspian region. EUCOM is responsible for operations in Azerbaijan.