Baku: In accordance with the training plan for 2026, a live-fire tactical exercise titled 'Conducting defensive operations in response to threats against critical energy maritime and coastal infrastructure' was conducted by the Azerbaijan Navy. This exercise saw collaboration with the Air Force, the Coast Guard of the State Border Service, and the Ministry of Emergency Situations, as announced by Azerbaijan's Ministry of Defense to AZERTAC.
According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, the comprehensive exercise involved multiple phases and included the participation of the Navy's combat, combat support, and supply ships, along with naval special forces and marine infantry units. The primary objective was to refine the operational decision-making skills of commanders and enhance command-staff activities under extreme situations, while also assessing the readiness of naval ships to execute combat tasks both individually and as part of tactical groups.
The exercise commenced with participating units being alerted and brought to full combat readiness. They were then deployed to designated operational areas where they executed combat training activities. These activities included patrol operations, suppression of sabotage and attack attempts, and neutralization of threats from aerial, surface, and underwater assets, as well as naval mines. Ship tactical and strike groups from the Navy and Coast Guard, alongside unmanned aerial vehicles from the Air Force, successfully carried out these missions.
In subsequent phases, naval special forces units collaborated with Navy and Coast Guard ships to protect critical maritime and coastal infrastructure. They conducted operations to eliminate reconnaissance and sabotage groups, preventing simulated enemy activities. Supported by Air Force helicopters, these units targeted terrorist base areas, neutralizing armed groups concealed on islands and along coastlines.
Further operations included the interception of a hijacked vessel and the rescue of hostages by Ship Operations Groups composed of naval special forces. Marine infantry units executed tactical operations for hostage rescue in a settlement taken by terrorist groups. Efforts to extinguish fires on vessels, rescue casualties, and neutralize underwater mines were undertaken with the involvement of the Navy's Search and Rescue Service and vessels from the Emergency Situations Ministry.
The final phase highlighted the rapid evacuation of seriously wounded personnel to a medical vessel, facilitated by fast rescue boats providing medical care. Additionally, a demonstration passage showcased the participating authorities' ships, boats, special equipment, and newly integrated armed unmanned surface assets.
The exercise emphasized enhancing joint activities with various troops and armed formations to protect and defend critical energy infrastructure in the Caspian Sea region, including the territorial waters of Azerbaijan and coastal areas. The participants demonstrated professionalism and successfully accomplished their tasks, showcasing improved interoperability and ship handling under diverse conditions.