Azerbaijan, Turkey, and Uzbekistan Conduct Joint Military Exercise 'Power of Unity-2026'

Military forces from Azerbaijan, Turkey, and Uzbekistan have joined forces for the first time in a major military exercise named “Power of Unity-2026,” held in the Hojavend district of Azerbaijan's Karabakh region. Thousands of military personnel participated, simulating responses to contemporary threats such as mass drone attacks, cyberattacks, and disinformation campaigns.

The exercise focused on the current threats faced by the military forces of these three nations amidst geopolitical shifts, incorporating new approaches to modern warfare. Several other countries, including Iran, attended the exercise as observers.

Highlights

• Over 3,500 military personnel from Azerbaijan, Turkey, and Uzbekistan participated.
• The exercise took place for the first time in the Hojavend district of the Karabakh region.
• Scenarios included countering drone swarm attacks, cyberattacks, and disinformation.
• More than 130 unmanned vehicles, over 70 armored vehicles, and 90+ artillery systems were utilized.
• Turkish Defence Minister Yaşar Güler emphasized the importance of military readiness and praised the exercise's success.

Details

The “Power of Unity-2026” exercise was conducted across training areas in Baku, the Karabakh region, Nakhchivan, and Azerbaijan's part of the Caspian Sea. The scenarios integrated unmanned systems with artillery, armored vehicles, aviation, and electronic warfare. Troops also practiced breaching defensive positions, clearing minefields, and advancing with armored vehicles.

The training addressed new challenges not traditionally part of military scenarios. Participants responded to simulated cyberattacks and online disinformation, conducted operations against "terrorist" positions in mountainous terrain, practiced clearing settlements, and establishing checkpoints. In the Caspian Sea, forces rehearsed freeing a vessel and an offshore facility, rescuing hostages, and neutralizing a simulated terrorist base on land.

Azerbaijan's Defence Minister, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, stated that the exercise included land, naval, and air operations, which help enhance the combat readiness of the participating armies. Uzbekistan's Defence Minister, Lieutenant General Shukhrat Kholmukhamedov, noted that the personnel demonstrated "high combat readiness" and the ability to carry out missions collaboratively.

Why it matters

This exercise signifies a deepening military cooperation among Azerbaijan, Turkey, and Uzbekistan, demonstrating their efforts to adapt to the evolving dynamics of modern warfare. In today's security landscape, where unmanned systems and cyber threats are increasingly prominent, such joint training plays a crucial role in enhancing regional stability and security. The trilateral meeting of the defence ministers of Azerbaijan, Turkey, and Georgia following the exercise further underscored the importance of regional collaboration.