By Azernews

By Rashid Shirinov

The Azerbaijani troops, have previously been put on alert, were sent to operational areas within the large-scale drills on April 17, Azerbaijan’s Defense Ministry reported.

The Azerbaijani Army started the exercises on April 16 to inspect combat readiness of troops in line with the plan approved by Azerbaijan’s President, Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ilham Aliyev.

About 30,000 servicemen are participating in the drills that will continue until April 21.

Also, more than 250 tanks and armored vehicles, up to 200 missiles and artillery systems, multiple launch rocket systems and mortars, and 25 combat aircraft are involved in the drills.

The Armed Forces will conduct military exercises in order to inspect combat readiness, organization of command and control of troops and means, including their interoperability in a combat simulated environment.

Today, Azerbaijani Army is one of the most powerful, highly disciplined armies in the world and the leading army in the region, which is equipped with modern military machinery.

Russia Today agency has recently noted that the Azerbaijani Armed Forces are the richest in the region, and the country has increased its military budget by 20 times since the early 2000s.

The skills and combat readiness of the Azerbaijani army are growing year by year, as the country’s Armed Forces regularly conduct military exercises. The army building process in Azerbaijan is progressing as well, as twenty percent of the country's territory is under Armenian occupation and the country is in a state of war with Armenia.