Military expert: Production of national defense technology will enable Azerbaijan to avoid dependence on external markets

“Azerbaijan has tradition of manufacturing defense equipment since Soviet times. At that time there was a military headquarters in Azerbaijan which covered five districts including the Caspian Fleet. Therefore, after the collapse of the Soviet Union there were hopes for restoring military-industrial traditions which have become reality now,” the expert said.

“Restoring military-industrial complex will help Azerbaijan avoid foreign dependence on other countries to buy weapons and spare parts. Regarding Azerbaijan’s export potential, it will be difficult for Azerbaijan to compete with equipment produced by Pakistan or Israel. Brand of  purchased products is very important factor in this segment of the world market,” the expert noted.

Azerbaijan, in turn, has presented armored vehicle Matador co-produced with South Africa. We must learn to compete. But Azerbaijani military complex must be oriented to the domestic market for the time being.”

“Training national experts in this segment of the industry is very important. We must cherish those professionals who we already have, and maintain succession of domestic military-industrial complex,” the expert said.

Z. Ahmadov