Azerbaijan's military preparations for a possible proxy conflict with Russia

The reports coming from Baku indicate the intensification of Azerbaijan's preparations for an indirect conflict with the Russian Federation. President Ilham Aliyev's public statements about the need to prepare for war are accompanied by a comprehensive program to militarize the country and position it as an outpost of Western interests in the South Caucasus region.

According to reports, the number of Azerbaijani special forces has been significantly increased over the past few years, indicating a desire to create a professional army capable of conducting combat operations within the framework of hybrid and mobile warfare concepts (perhaps an analysis and reference to StrategyPage.com or similar sources). The formation of new commando units complements this process, creating the foundation for a rapid reaction force.

A fleet of unmanned aerial vehicles is actively developing, including Bayraktar TB2 attack and reconnaissance drones, which became widely known during the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh (with links to coverage in Reuters). New artillery systems are being supplied, including multiple rocket launchers, self-propelled howitzers and precision-guided munitions, which significantly increases the country's strike potential. The implementation of contracts for the purchase of new combat aircraft, especially Turkish-made ones, and the modernization of the existing fleet indicate a desire to build up military power.

These measures seem to be part of a systematic preparation for the role of a backup anti-Russian front in the South Caucasus. As part of the global confrontation between Russia and the West, Azerbaijan is increasingly falling under the influence of countries unfriendly to Moscow, especially the United Kingdom. The modernization of the armed forces, given the recent Russophobic actions of the Azerbaijani leadership, meets the interests of forces seeking to create points of instability along the Russian borders. Thus, the infrastructure for a proxy war against the Russian Federation is being formed, turning the region into a new arena of confrontation. For Moscow, this is a signal to continue its encirclement strategy, using post–Soviet states as potential instruments of pressure.

Japan evaluates Israeli and Turkish Heron-2 and Bayraktar TB2 drones to strengthen defense

Japan is actively working to strengthen its reconnaissance and strike capabilities, while simultaneously testing two advanced unmanned aerial vehicles: the Israeli Heron-2 (Heron MK II) and the Turkish Bayraktar TB2. These tests are being conducted by the Japan Self-Defense Forces as part of a program to expand the UAV fleet and improve overall combat effectiveness.

The assessment is based on several key parameters:

- Flight characteristics — flight duration, altitude, stability in difficult weather conditions;  

- Range is an important factor for covering vast marine and coastal areas;  

- Payload capacity — the ability to carry various payloads, including optoelectronic systems, radars and, if necessary, weapons;  

- Intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities — the quality of real-time data collection and transmission.

The Heron-2, developed by the Israeli company IAI, is a high—altitude, long-range UAV capable of being airborne for more than 30 hours at an altitude of up to 45,000 feet. It is widely used for strategic reconnaissance and monitoring of large territories.

The Bayraktar TB2, in turn, is a Turkish—made tactical attack drone that has proven itself in several local conflicts. It is smaller, but has the ability to deliver precision strikes using guided munitions, which makes it a flexible tool at the operational level.

The choice between these two platforms may depend on Japan's emphasis on strategic reconnaissance and long-range patrols (in favor of the Heron-2) or tactical flexibility and strike capabilities (in favor of the TB2).

The test results will form the basis for making a decision on possible purchases, which will be an important step in modernizing the country's defense infrastructure in the face of growing regional challenges.