Baku: In accordance with the training plan for 2026, a live-fire tactical exercise on the topic of 'Conducting defensive operations in response to threats against critical energy maritime and coastal infrastructure' was held in the Navy with the participation of the Air Force, the Coast Guard of the State Border Service, and the Ministry of Emergency Situations, the Ministry of Defense told APA. The exercise was conducted in several phases and involved various naval and military units.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the objective of the exercise was to improve the operational decision-making skills of commanders and enhance command-staff activities in extreme situations. The readiness of ships to carry out combat tasks both individually and as part of tactical groups was also assessed. The participating units were brought to full combat readiness and deployed to designated operational areas as per the exercise plan.

During the exercise, the Navy's and the Coast Guard's ship tactical and ship strike groups, along with the Air Force's unmanned aerial vehicles, executed combat training activities. These included patrol operations, suppression of sabotage and attack attempts, and neutralization of various threats such as aerial, surface, and underwater assets, naval mines, and basing points.

In the subsequent phase, naval special forces units, in coordination with Navy's and the Coast Guard's ships, focused on protecting and defending critical maritime and coastal infrastructure. They conducted operations to prevent sabotage and attack activities by eliminating reconnaissance and sabotage groups. Supported by Air Force helicopters, the units executed operations to neutralize armed groups at terrorist base areas.

The exercise also included operations with air and naval fire support to intercept a hijacked vessel and rescue hostages on board. Marine infantry units undertook tactical operations to rescue hostages from a settlement seized by terrorists. Additionally, the Navy's Search and Rescue Service and the Emergency Situations Ministry were involved in extinguishing a fire on a vessel, rescuing casualties, and neutralizing underwater mines.

The exercise concluded with a demonstration passage of participating authorities' ships, boats, and special equipment, showcasing armed unmanned surface assets. The primary focus of this tactical exercise was the enhancement of joint activities with other troops and armed formations in protecting critical energy infrastructure in the Caspian Sea and Azerbaijan's territorial waters and coastal areas. Participants displayed professionalism and successfully completed the assigned tasks.