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DEFENCE DEAL CONFIRMED BETWEEN ISRAEL AND AZERBAIJAN
Global Insight
February 27, 2012
Officials from state-owned Israel Aerospace Industries confirmed
yesterday (26 February) the sale of USD1.6-billion worth of defence
equipment to Azerbaijan. The deal, one of the largest in Azerbaijan's
history, was reported by Israeli media to include 60 unmanned aerial
vehicles, air defence missiles and radar systems. An unnamed Israeli
defence official reportedly stated that the deal had been under
discussion for months and was not a reaction to the recent increase
in tensions between Azerbaijan and its southern neighbour, Iran.
Animosity between the two countries has become more heated recently
following accusations by Iran that the Azeri authorities have been
helping Israeli security forces undertake assassinations of its
citizens, and claims by Azerbaijan that Iran is backing terrorist
actions within its borders (seeAzerbaijan - Iran: 22 February 2012:).
Azerbaijan buys Israeli defence equipment in part because of
restrictions on what it can acquire from the US and Europe, both
of which are seeking to avoid escalation of the conflict between
Azerbaijan and Armenia over the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh.
Significance:Though tensions have escalated between Azerbaijan and
Iran in recent months, a military confrontation is unlikely.
Azerbaijan's military is no match for Iran's and neither state has
much to gain from sparking a confrontation. The weapons purchased
by Baku are more likely to be used against the breakaway region of
Nagorno-Karabakh; indeed, an aerial drone, possibly Israeli-made,
was shot down over the region last year (seeArmenia - Azerbaijan:
15 September 2011:). Nevertheless, the sale is further evidence of
closer Israeli-Azeri ties. This is because of mutual concern over
Iran's nuclear programme and Israel's interest in an ally in the
region against a background of deteriorating relations with Turkey.
Global Insight
February 27, 2012
Officials from state-owned Israel Aerospace Industries confirmed
yesterday (26 February) the sale of USD1.6-billion worth of defence
equipment to Azerbaijan. The deal, one of the largest in Azerbaijan's
history, was reported by Israeli media to include 60 unmanned aerial
vehicles, air defence missiles and radar systems. An unnamed Israeli
defence official reportedly stated that the deal had been under
discussion for months and was not a reaction to the recent increase
in tensions between Azerbaijan and its southern neighbour, Iran.
Animosity between the two countries has become more heated recently
following accusations by Iran that the Azeri authorities have been
helping Israeli security forces undertake assassinations of its
citizens, and claims by Azerbaijan that Iran is backing terrorist
actions within its borders (seeAzerbaijan - Iran: 22 February 2012:).
Azerbaijan buys Israeli defence equipment in part because of
restrictions on what it can acquire from the US and Europe, both
of which are seeking to avoid escalation of the conflict between
Azerbaijan and Armenia over the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh.
Significance:Though tensions have escalated between Azerbaijan and
Iran in recent months, a military confrontation is unlikely.
Azerbaijan's military is no match for Iran's and neither state has
much to gain from sparking a confrontation. The weapons purchased
by Baku are more likely to be used against the breakaway region of
Nagorno-Karabakh; indeed, an aerial drone, possibly Israeli-made,
was shot down over the region last year (seeArmenia - Azerbaijan:
15 September 2011:). Nevertheless, the sale is further evidence of
closer Israeli-Azeri ties. This is because of mutual concern over
Iran's nuclear programme and Israel's interest in an ally in the
region against a background of deteriorating relations with Turkey.