Azerbaijan was Israel’s second largest arms buyer from 2015-2019[1] with sales of $789 million.[2] These weapons – which ignore the E.U. arms embargo on the country since 1991, and the U.S.’s de facto policy not to sell arms to it – are used both in the conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia and for domestic repression within the country itself.[3] In 2016, Netanyahu visited Azerbaijan and announced that the military deals between the two countries had reached $5 billion[4]; these included drones that were used to bomb Armenia. Israeli drones were used by Azerbaijan against Armenian forces in 2016 and 2017. Sales have mainly been for drones, missiles, and land vehicles.
Israel recognized Azerbaijan soon after it declared independence in August 1991. An Israeli embassy was set up in Baku in 1993, although as of 2020 Azerbaijan is yet to open an embassy in Israel.[5] They have enjoyed long standing arms trade, diplomatic support, and intelligence sharing.[6] A 2009 memo released by Wikileaks quotes Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev describing the countries’ relationship as “nine-tenths […] below the surface.”[7]
Israel has supported Azerbaijan in its conflict over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region[8], which has an Armenian ethnic majority and is mostly within Azerbaijani borders with 9% under Armenian occupation.[9] Israeli representatives including Avigdor Lieberman have stated Israel would not recognize the Armenian genocide of 1915-17.[10]
In 2010 Azerbaijan announced a visa-exemption exclusively for Turkish and Israeli travelers. In 2016 the countries signed a deal on air communication,[11] and in 2017 abolished double taxation between the countries. As of 2013, Azerbaijan was selling Israel 40% of its oil, making it Israel’s largest buyer.
In 1997 Netanyahu visited Azerbaijan as Prime Minister. When then-President Shimon Peres visited in 2009 along with defense company CEOs[12] he declared “we show you ability and technology, you will bring us oil.”[13] In 2014 Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon visited. During Netanyahu’s 2016 visit President Aliyev announced that Azerbaijan had signed a total of $4.85b arms contracts.[14][15][16]
Azerbaijan and Israel share a mutual distrust of Russia and Iran[17] and have stated their joint fight against terrorism. Israel has consistently sold arms to Azerbaijan in spite of embargoes declared by both the European Security and Cooperation Organization (OSCE) in 1992[18], and the UN in 1993.[19] These embargoes were announced in response to the conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region.
In 2012 Israel was reportedly allowed to use four abandoned airbases in Azerbaijan on the Iranian border.[20] It has been suggested that Israel would use these bases to facilitate airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites,[21] although this prospect has been disputed.[22] In 2015-2019, Azerbaijan was the second largest Israeli weapons customer buying 17% of all Israeli weapons.[23]
Azerbaijan has even published footage of Israeli models of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), including offensive and kamikaze UAVs.[24] In a parade marking World War II Victory Day in Moscow in May 2015, Azerbaijani soldiers marched in the Red Square carrying Israeli-made Tavor rifles.[25] In September 2016, President Aliyev paid a televised visit to a government-owned Azerbaijani factory which produces Israeli models of kamikaze drones.[26] Aliyev also declared in a meeting with Netanyahu that Israel had agreed to sell Azerbaijan defense equipment worth nearly $5 billion.[27]
In 2017 the Israeli arms company Aeronautics had its export licenses suspended by the Defense Ministry, after a report by the newspaper Maariv revealed that representatives from the company who were in Azerbaijan to finalize a contract for the sale of its Orbiter 1K UAV, were asked to strike an Armenian military position. While many details of the case remain under a court-issued gag order, the two Israelis operating the UAV refused to hit the position, and senior representatives of the company took control and operated the craft themselves, ultimately missing their targets. Following the surfacing of the report, the Defense Ministry suspended the company’s marketing and export permit for the company’s Orbiter 1K model UAV. The Israel Police’s Unit of International Crime Investigations, the Defense Ministry’s investigation unit and the State Attorney’s Office also launched an investigation into the incident. [51]
In 2019 the Newspaper Jerusalem Post reported that two weeks after its export licenses were reinstated, Aeronautics has announced that it won a 13-million dollar drone-contract with Azerbaijan.[52]
In October 2020 Israeli press reported that two Azerbaijani cargo planes had landed at the Uvda airbase in the Negev days before the last escalation.[28]
Joint ventures
2011: JV Aeronautics-Azeri Defense Ministry to produce Aerostar, Orbiter, and Dominator UAVs. (Aeronautics Defense Systems)[29]
Arms Fairs
2018: Hermes 900 UAVs used in Azerbaijan military exercise around Caspian sea. (Elbit)[30]
2016: Orbiter 4 released at ADEX-2016. (Aeronautics Defense Systems)[31]
2014: 16 Israeli companies attend ADEX-2014 (Azerbaijani Defense Exhibition).[32]
In 2016 Harop suicide drones destroyed a bus of Armenian soldiers killing seven,[33][34] and Spike missiles were used to destroy six Armenian tanks.[35]
In 2017 Aeronautics Defense Systems sales to Azerbaijan were frozen after the company allegedly conducted an illegal live demonstration of the Orbiter 1k UAV against Armenian troops at the request of the Azeri government, wounding two.[36]
Azerbaijani troops have been seen carrying IWI Tavor X95 assault rifles.[37]
The Azerbaijani Defense Ministry has released a video showing what could possibly be an Israeli UAV flying for a split second past the Turkish attack UAV, which was probably photographed by chance.[38]
Several videos have also shown attacks by kamikaze UAVs which may be Israeli, but it is difficult to confirm this without further evidence. A political advisor to the Azerbaijani dictator said in an interview that Israeli attack drones are being used in combat, but this official has been known to lie and disseminate false propaganda.[39] It is also unclear to what extent he is informed about current military affairs. No other official in Azerbaijan has confirmed the claim.
Pegasus – More than 40 Azerbaijani journalists were selected as targets of the malicious spyware, including reporters from Azadliq.info and Mehdar TV, two of the only remaining independent media outlets in the country.[50]
Human rights violations in Azerbaijan predominantly concern freedom of expression. NGOs critical of the government are refused registration, and activists face travel bans and having their bank accounts frozen. Journalists such as Khadija Ismayilova have faced prosecution for “anti-Azerbaijani” activity and apparently exaggerated or falsified charges, as have opposition politicians.[40] The government has also sought the forcible return of Azerbaijani critics from abroad. Spyware has been levelled against dissidents including through covert access of computer webcams.[41][42][43]
Azerbaijan has restrictive freedom of assembly, and peaceful protests have been met with excessive force, and there have been reports of police brutality in custody. Lawyers have faced intimidation as well reprimand for anti-government findings, for example in the case of Yalchin Imanov who was disbarred after complaining of two clients’ alleged torture.[44][45]
Although homosexuality has been legal in Azerbaijan since 2000, discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation is not. In 2017 there were allegations of a crackdown on the LGBTQ+ community including mass detention and torture.[46] In 2019 Azeri police detained fourteen gay men and transgender women on falsified charges, some of whom were then subject to forced STI tests.[47]
During the Covid-19 pandemic, social media users, medical professionals, and journalists have faced prosecution for criticizing the government’s approach. The health crisis has been used by the government as an excuse for political attacks on the opposition, with activists facing arrest.[48][49]
Product | Company | Year | Deal Size | Comments | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
6 Lynx self-propelled MRL.s
| IMI
| 2005 (2006)
| Azerbaijani designation Dolu-1, Leysan and Shimsek
| Sipri
| |
50 EXTRA guided rockets SSMs.
| IMI
| 2005 (2008-2009)
| For Lynx MRL.
| ||
4 Aerostar UAVs
| Aeronautics Defence Systems
| 2007 (2008)
| SIPRI
| ||
100 Spike-LR anti-tank missiles
| 2008 (2009-2010)
| Sipri
| |||
10 AIL Storm (Sufa) APVs
| Automative Industries Ltd.
| 2008 (2009-2010)
| Azerbaijan
| Sipri
| |
5 ATMOS-2000 155mm self-propelled guns
| Soltam
| 2008 (2010)
| Sipri
| ||
10 CARDOM 120mm self-propelled mortars
| Soltam
| 2008 (2010-2011)
| Sipri
| ||
10 Aerostar UAVs
| Aeronautics Defence Systems
| 2010 (2011-2012)
| Incl production of components in Azerbaijan.
| Sipri
| |
Aerostar, Orbiter, and Dominator UAVs
| Aeronautics Defence Systems
| 2011
| JV with Azeri Defense Ministry”
| https://www.israeldefense.co.il/en/content/production-azerbaijan-begins-factory-set-israeli-company-%E2%80%9Caeronautics%E2%80%9D
| |
5 Heron UAVs
| IAI
| 2011 (2013)
| Part of $1.6b deal
| Sipri, https://defence.pk/pdf/threads/israel-signs-deal-to-provide-azerbaijan-with-1-6-bln-in-military-equipment.161661/page-2
| |
5 Searcher UAVs
| IAI
| 2011 (2013)
| Part of $1.6 b deal
| Sipri
| |
1 Barak-8LR SAM
| Rafael
| 2011 (2016)
| Part of $1.6 b deal
| Sipri
| |
40 Barak-8 SAMs
| Rafael
| 2011 (2016)
| Sipri
| ||
6 Shaldag patrol boats FAC (fast attack craft)
| Israel Shipyards Ltd.
| 2013 (2014-2015)
| assembled or produced in Azerbaijan
| Sipri
| |
250 Spike-NLOS SSM/ASM
| Rafael
| 2013 (2014-2018)
| for OPV-62 and Shaldag
| Spiri | |
100 Lahat anti-tank missiles
| IAI
| 2013 (2015-2016)
| Sipri
| ||
6 Off-Patrol Vessels (OPV)-62
| Israel Shipyards Ltd.
| 2013 (2015-2018)
| Sipri
| ||
50 Harops
| IAI
| 2014 (2015-2016)
| Sipri
| ||
2 EL/M-2288 AD-STAR air search radars
| IAI/Elta
| 2014 (2016)
| Sipri
| ||
10 Spike-LR SSM launchers
| Rafael
| 2015 (2016)
| for SandCat APVs
| Sipri
| |
250 Spike-MR/LRs
| Rafael
| 2015 (2016)
| for SandCat APVs
| Sipri
| |
100 SandCat APVs
| 2015 (2016-2018)
| Sipri
| |||
10 Orbiter-3 UAVs
| Aeronautics Defence Systems
| 2016 (2016-2017)
| Sipri
| ||
100 Orbiter-1K loitering munitions
| Aeronautics Defence Systems
| 2016 (2016-2019)
| Incl assembly/production in Azerbaijan as Zerba
| Sipri
| |
100 Skystriker loitering munitions
| 2016 (2018)
| Sipri
| |||
Iron Dome
| Rafael/IAI
| 2016
| https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Politics-And-Diplomacy/Azerbaijan-We-have-closed-deal-to-buy-Israels-Iron-Dome-Missile-System-475732
| ||
2 Hermes-900 UAVs
| Elbit
| 2017 (2017-2018)
| Sipri
| ||
50 LORA missiles
| IAI
| 2017 (2018)
| Sipri
| ||
4 LORA self-propelled MRLs
| IAI
| 2017 (2018)
| Sipri
| ||
10 Spear 120mm mortars
| Elbit
| 2017 (2018)
| For SandCat APVs
| Sipri
| |
SkyStriker drones
| Elbit
| 2019
| Suicide drone
| https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Israels-Elbit-Systems-sells-Azerbaijan-SkyStriker-suicide-drone-577053
|
1. ^ https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/israels-arms-exports-over-past-four-years-at-highest-ever-620561
2. ^ https://www.sipri.org/databases/armstransfers
3. ^ https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/view/good-relations-between-azerbaijan-and-israel-a-model-for-other-muslim-state
4. ^ https://www.ynet.co.il/Ext/Comp/CdaNewsFlash/0,2297,L-4892501_184,00.html
5. ^ https://www.inss.org.il/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/systemfiles/SystemFiles/adkan17_4ENG_7_Lindenstrauss.pdf
6. ^ https://www.meforum.org/987/israel-and-azerbaijans-furtive-embrace
7. ^ https://foreignpolicy.com/2012/03/28/israels-secret-staging-ground/
8. ^ https://www.meforum.org/987/israel-and-azerbaijans-furtive-embrace#_ftn9
9. ^ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nagorno-Karabakh#Post-1994_ceasefire
10. ^ https://www.haaretz.com/no-recognition-of-armenian-genocide-in-the-offing-1.5357941
11. ^ https://www.azernews.az/business/107072.html
12. ^ https://mfa.gov.il/mfa/pressroom/2009/pages/president_peres_visits_azerbaijan_and_kazakhstan_28_jun_2009.aspx
13. ^ https://www.globes.co.il/news/article.aspx?did=1000475590
14. ^ https://hamushim.com/azerbaijan-israel-arms-deals/
15. ^ https://mfa.gov.il/MFA/PressRoom/2016/Pages/PM-Netanyahu-meets-with-members-of-the-Azerbaijan-Jewish-community-13-December-2016.aspx
16. ^ https://www.haaretz.co.il/news/politics/.premium-1.3152327
17. ^ https://www.meforum.org/987/israel-and-azerbaijans-furtive-embrace
18. ^ https://www.sipri.org/databases/embargoes/eu_arms_embargoes/azerbaijan
19. ^ https://www.sipri.org/databases/embargoes/un_arms_embargoes/nagorno-karabakh-azerbaijan-non-mandatory/non-mandatory-un-arms-embargo-on-nagorno-karabakh-azerbaijan
20. ^ https://www.israeldefense.co.il/en/content/israeli-airbases-azerbaijan
21. ^ https://foreignpolicy.com/2012/03/28/israels-secret-staging-ground/
22. ^ https://www.haaretz.com/1.5209707
23. ^ https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/israels-arms-exports-over-past-four-years-at-highest-ever-620561
24. ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCWAuzvBSA0&feature=emb_title
25. ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDFVNhlBE7U
26. ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xy4gGm5wx4M&feature=emb_title
27. ^ https://mfa.gov.il/MFA/PressRoom/2016/Pages/PM-Netanyahu-Meets-with-Azerbaijan-President-Aliyev-13-December-2016.aspx
28. ^ https://www.972mag.com/nagorno-karabakh-israel-weapons/
29. ^ https://www.israeldefense.co.il/en/content/production-azerbaijan-begins-factory-set-israeli-company-%E2%80%9Caeronautics%E2%80%9D
30. ^ https://www.israeldefense.co.il/he/node/35299
31. ^ https://www.israeldefense.co.il/en/content/aeronautics-reveals-its-orbiter-4-uas
32. ^ https://www.israeldefense.co.il/en/content/16-israeli-companies-attend-defense-exhibition-azerbaijan
33. ^ https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-armenia-protests-azerbaijans-use-of-israeli-drone-1.5429229
34. ^https://www.israeldefense.co.il/en/content/azerbaijan-used-iais-harop-ucav
35. ^ https://www.israeldefense.co.il/he/content/%D7%93%D7%99%D7%95%D7%95%D7%97-%D7%98%D7%99%D7%9C-%D7%94%D7%A1%D7%A4%D7%99%D7%99%D7%A7-%D7%A9%D7%9C-%D7%A8%D7%A4%D7%90%D7%9C-%D7%91%D7%90%D7%96%D7%A8%D7%91%D7%99%D7%99%D7%92%D7%9F-%D7%A0%D7%92%D7%93-%D7%98%D7%A0%D7%A7%D7%99%D7%9D-%D7%90%D7%A8%D7%9E%D7%A0%D7%99%D7%9D
36. ^ https://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-dronemaker-said-to-have-bombed-armenians-for-azerbaijan-faces-charges/
37. ^ https://www.israeldefense.co.il/en/node/34844
38. ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jZuNR0WSxY&feature=youtu.be
39. ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-xqOcO8YWw
40. ^ https://www.haaretz.co.il/news/world/europe/.premium-1.2510585
41. ^ https://citizenlab.ca/2014/02/mapping-hacking-teams-untraceable-spyware/
42. ^ https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2017/03/azerbaijan-activists-targeted-by-government-sponsored-cyber-attack/
43. ^ https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/oct/03/azerbaijan-dissidents-warn-west-baku-friendly-facade
44. ^ https://www.amnesty.org/en/countries/europe-and-central-asia/azerbaijan/report-azerbaijan/
45. ^ https://www.frontlinedefenders.org/en/case/yalchin-imanov-suspended-practising-pending-trial
46. ^ https://www.hrw.org/news/2017/10/03/azerbaijan-anti-gay-crackdown
47. ^ https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2020/country-chapters/azerbaijan#73fccc
48. ^ https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2020/04/eastern-europe-and-central-asia-human-rights-must-be-protected-during-covid19-pandemic/
49. ^ https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/04/16/azerbaijan-crackdown-critics-amid-pandemic
50. ^ https://forbiddenstories.org/pegasus-the-new-global-weapon-for-silencing-journalists/
51. ^ https://www.haaretz.com/opinion/.premium-i-ve-been-covering-intelligence-and-security-for-years-the-legal-system-exhausts-me-1.10511073
52. ^ https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:Z2h-laevzHMJ:https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/israeli-defense-company-aeronautics-seals-13m-drone-deal-with-azerbaijan-580928+&cd=5&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us
Azerbaijan was Israel’s second largest arms buyer from 2015-2019[1] with sales of $789 million.[2] These weapons – which ignore the E.U. arms embargo on the country since 1991, and the U.S.’s de facto policy not to sell arms to it – are used both in the conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia and for domestic repression within the country itself.[3] In 2016, Netanyahu visited Azerbaijan and announced that the military deals between the two countries had reached $5 billion[4]; these included drones that were used to bomb Armenia. Israeli drones were used by Azerbaijan against Armenian forces in 2016 and 2017. Sales have mainly been for drones, missiles, and land vehicles.
Israel recognized Azerbaijan soon after it declared independence in August 1991. An Israeli embassy was set up in Baku in 1993, although as of 2020 Azerbaijan is yet to open an embassy in Israel.[5] They have enjoyed long standing arms trade, diplomatic support, and intelligence sharing.[6] A 2009 memo released by Wikileaks quotes Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev describing the countries’ relationship as “nine-tenths […] below the surface.”[7]
Israel has supported Azerbaijan in its conflict over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region[8], which has an Armenian ethnic majority and is mostly within Azerbaijani borders with 9% under Armenian occupation.[9] Israeli representatives including Avigdor Lieberman have stated Israel would not recognize the Armenian genocide of 1915-17.[10]
In 2010 Azerbaijan announced a visa-exemption exclusively for Turkish and Israeli travelers. In 2016 the countries signed a deal on air communication,[11] and in 2017 abolished double taxation between the countries. As of 2013, Azerbaijan was selling Israel 40% of its oil, making it Israel’s largest buyer.
In 1997 Netanyahu visited Azerbaijan as Prime Minister. When then-President Shimon Peres visited in 2009 along with defense company CEOs[12] he declared “we show you ability and technology, you will bring us oil.”[13] In 2014 Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon visited. During Netanyahu’s 2016 visit President Aliyev announced that Azerbaijan had signed a total of $4.85b arms contracts.[14][15][16]
Azerbaijan and Israel share a mutual distrust of Russia and Iran[17] and have stated their joint fight against terrorism. Israel has consistently sold arms to Azerbaijan in spite of embargoes declared by both the European Security and Cooperation Organization (OSCE) in 1992[18], and the UN in 1993.[19] These embargoes were announced in response to the conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region.
In 2012 Israel was reportedly allowed to use four abandoned airbases in Azerbaijan on the Iranian border.[20] It has been suggested that Israel would use these bases to facilitate airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites,[21] although this prospect has been disputed.[22] In 2015-2019, Azerbaijan was the second largest Israeli weapons customer buying 17% of all Israeli weapons.[23]
Azerbaijan has even published footage of Israeli models of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), including offensive and kamikaze UAVs.[24] In a parade marking World War II Victory Day in Moscow in May 2015, Azerbaijani soldiers marched in the Red Square carrying Israeli-made Tavor rifles.[25] In September 2016, President Aliyev paid a televised visit to a government-owned Azerbaijani factory which produces Israeli models of kamikaze drones.[26] Aliyev also declared in a meeting with Netanyahu that Israel had agreed to sell Azerbaijan defense equipment worth nearly $5 billion.[27]
In 2017 the Israeli arms company Aeronautics had its export licenses suspended by the Defense Ministry, after a report by the newspaper Maariv revealed that representatives from the company who were in Azerbaijan to finalize a contract for the sale of its Orbiter 1K UAV, were asked to strike an Armenian military position. While many details of the case remain under a court-issued gag order, the two Israelis operating the UAV refused to hit the position, and senior representatives of the company took control and operated the craft themselves, ultimately missing their targets. Following the surfacing of the report, the Defense Ministry suspended the company’s marketing and export permit for the company’s Orbiter 1K model UAV. The Israel Police’s Unit of International Crime Investigations, the Defense Ministry’s investigation unit and the State Attorney’s Office also launched an investigation into the incident. [51]
In 2019 the Newspaper Jerusalem Post reported that two weeks after its export licenses were reinstated, Aeronautics has announced that it won a 13-million dollar drone-contract with Azerbaijan.[52]
In October 2020 Israeli press reported that two Azerbaijani cargo planes had landed at the Uvda airbase in the Negev days before the last escalation.[28]
Joint ventures
2011: JV Aeronautics-Azeri Defense Ministry to produce Aerostar, Orbiter, and Dominator UAVs. (Aeronautics Defense Systems)[29]
Arms Fairs
2018: Hermes 900 UAVs used in Azerbaijan military exercise around Caspian sea. (Elbit)[30]
2016: Orbiter 4 released at ADEX-2016. (Aeronautics)[31]
2014: 16 Israeli companies attend ADEX-2014 (Azerbaijani Defense Exhibition).[32]
In 2016 Harop suicide drones destroyed a bus of Armenian soldiers killing seven,[33][34] and Spike missiles were used to destroy six Armenian tanks.[35] In 2017 Aeronautics Defense Systems sales to Azerbaijan were frozen after the company allegedly conducted an illegal live demonstration of the Orbiter 1k UAV against Armenian troops at the request of the Azeri government, wounding two.[36]
Azerbaijani troops have been seen carrying IWI Tavor X95 assault rifles.[37]
The Azerbaijani Defense Ministry has released a video showing what could possibly be an Israeli UAV flying for a split second past the Turkish attack UAV, which was probably photographed by chance.[38] Several videos have also shown attacks by kamikaze UAVs which may be Israeli, but it is difficult to confirm this without further evidence. A political advisor to the Azerbaijani dictator said in an interview that Israeli attack drones are being used in combat, but this official has been known to lie and disseminate false propaganda.[39] It is also unclear to what extent he is informed about current military affairs. No other official in Azerbaijan has confirmed the claim.
Human rights violations in Azerbaijan predominantly concern freedom of expression. NGOs critical of the government are refused registration, and activists face travel bans and having their bank accounts frozen. Journalists such as Khadija Ismayilova have faced prosecution for “anti-Azerbaijani” activity and apparently exaggerated or falsified charges, as have opposition politicians.[40] The government has also sought the forcible return of Azerbaijani critics from abroad. Spyware has been levelled against dissidents including through covert access of computer webcams.[41][42][43]
Azerbaijan has restrictive freedom of assembly, and peaceful protests have been met with excessive force, and there have been reports of police brutality in custody. Lawyers have faced intimidation as well reprimand for anti-government findings, for example in the case of Yalchin Imanov who was disbarred after complaining of two clients’ alleged torture.[44][45]
Although homosexuality has been legal in Azerbaijan since 2000, discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation is not. In 2017 there were allegations of a crackdown on the LGBTQ+ community including mass detention and torture.[46] In 2019 Azeri police detained fourteen gay men and transgender women on falsified charges, some of whom were then subject to forced STI tests.[47]
During the Covid-19 pandemic, social media users, medical professionals, and journalists have faced prosecution for criticising the government’s approach. The health crisis has been used by the government as an excuse for political attacks on the opposition, with activists facing arrest.[48][49]
Product | Company | Year | Deal Size | Comments | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
6 Lynx self-propelled MRL.s
| IMI
| 2005 (2006)
| Azerbaijani designation Dolu-1, Leysan and Shimsek
| Sipri
| |
50 EXTRA guided rockets SSMs.
| IMI
| 2005 (2008-2009)
| For Lynx MRL.
| ||
4 Aerostar UAVs
| Aeronautics Defence Systems
| 2007 (2008)
| SIPRI
| ||
100 Spike-LR anti-tank missiles
| Rafael
| 2008 (2009-2010)
| Sipri
| ||
10 AIL Storm (Sufa) APVs
| Automative Industries Ltd.
| 2008 (2009-2010)
| Azerbaijan
| Sipri
| |
5 ATMOS-2000 155mm self-propelled guns
| Soltam
| 2008 (2010)
| Sipri
| ||
10 CARDOM 120mm self-propelled mortars
| Soltam
| 2008 (2010-2011)
| Sipri
| ||
10 Aerostar UAVs
| Aeronautics Defence Systems
| 2010 (2011-2012)
| Incl production of components in Azerbaijan.
| Sipri
| |
Aerostar, Orbiter, and Dominator UAVs
| Aeronautics Defence Systems
| 2011
| JV with Azeri Defense Ministry”
| https://www.israeldefense.co.il/en/content/production-azerbaijan-begins-factory-set-israeli-company-%E2%80%9Caeronautics%E2%80%9D
| |
5 Heron UAVs
| IAI
| 2011 (2013)
| Part of $1.6b deal
| Sipri, https://defence.pk/pdf/threads/israel-signs-deal-to-provide-azerbaijan-with-1-6-bln-in-military-equipment.161661/page-2
| |
5 Searcher UAVs
| IAI
| 2011 (2013)
| Part of $1.6 b deal
| Sipri
| |
1 Barak-8LR SAM
| Rafael
| 2011 (2016)
| Part of $1.6 b deal
| Sipri
| |
40 Barak-8 SAMs
| Rafael
| 2011 (2016)
| Sipri
| ||
6 Shaldag patrol boats FAC (fast attack craft)
| Israel Shipyards Ltd.
| 2013 (2014-2015)
| assembled or produced in Azerbaijan
| Sipri
| |
250 Spike-NLOS SSM/ASM
| Rafael
| 2013 (2014-2018)
| for OPV-62 and Shaldag
| Spiri | |
100 Lahat anti-tank missiles
| IAI
| 2013 (2015-2016)
| Sipri
| ||
6 Off-Patrol Vessels (OPV)-62
| Israel Shipyards Ltd.
| 2013 (2015-2018)
| Sipri
| ||
50 Harops
| IAI
| 2014 (2015-2016)
| Sipri
| ||
2 EL/M-2288 AD-STAR air search radars
| IAI/Elta
| 2014 (2016)
| Sipri
| ||
10 Spike-LR SSM launchers
| Rafael
| 2015 (2016)
| for SandCat APVs
| Sipri
| |
250 Spike-MR/LRs
| Rafael
| 2015 (2016)
| for SandCat APVs
| Sipri
| |
100 SandCat APVs
| Plasan
| 2015 (2016-2018)
| Sipri
| ||
10 Orbiter-3 UAVs
| Aeronautics Defence Systems
| 2016 (2016-2017)
| Sipri
| ||
100 Orbiter-1K loitering munitions
| Aeronautics Defence Systems
| 2016 (2016-2019)
| Incl assembly/production in Azerbaijan as Zerba
| Sipri
| |
100 Skystriker loitering munitions
| Elbit
| 2016 (2018)
| Sipri
| ||
Iron Dome
| Rafael/IAI
| 2016
| https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Politics-And-Diplomacy/Azerbaijan-We-have-closed-deal-to-buy-Israels-Iron-Dome-Missile-System-475732
| ||
2 Hermes-900 UAVs
| Elbit
| 2017 (2017-2018)
| Sipri
| ||
50 LORA missiles
| IAI
| 2017 (2018)
| Sipri
| ||
4 LORA self-propelled MRLs
| IAI
| 2017 (2018)
| Sipri
| ||
10 Spear 120mm mortars
| Elbit
| 2017 (2018)
| For SandCat APVs
| Sipri
| |
SkyStriker drones
| Elbit
| 2019
| Suicide drone
| https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Israels-Elbit-Systems-sells-Azerbaijan-SkyStriker-suicide-drone-577053
|
Israel exports arms and military equipment to around 130 countries worldwide. Currently the database contains 48 countries and will continue to be updated regularly.
The American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) does not assume any legal liability or responsibility for outdated, incorrect, or incomplete information included on this website.