After the dissolution of the Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan inherited similar security legacies. As both countries aligned their modernization processes with their national defense structures, they have drawn closer together within the framework of a shared Turkic identity and independent foreign policy objectives. In this context, the defense and diplomatic relations established since the 1990s have increasingly been placed on a more institutional footing in recent years.
The cultural, historical, and political ties between Central Asia and the South Caucasus have evolved into multidimensional regional partnerships in the 21st century. In this context, the military cooperation initiatives planned for 2025 between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan are significant not only for ensuring technical-level coordination between the two governments but also for institutionalizing strategic integration within the Turkic World. Kazakh delegations participated in military-level consultations held in Azerbaijan’s capital, Baku, at the end of June 2025.
Within the framework of these meetings, a wide range of issues were addressed, including the mutual enhancement of both states’ capacities, the sharing of experiences and information, the integration into North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) standards, and the implementation of various reforms in military education. These bilateral engagements contribute to building trust and lay the groundwork for constructing a collective defense vision within the framework of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS). The Baku consultations, held as part of the bilateral military cooperation agenda set for 2025, demonstrate that the partnership between the two countries is deepening not only at the diplomatic level but also at the structural and institutional levels.
During the meetings hosted by the International Military Cooperation Department of the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense, comprehensive briefings were provided to the Kazakh side regarding the Operational Capabilities Concept (OCC) program currently implemented within the Azerbaijani Armed Forces.[1] This program enables the systematization of Azerbaijan’s recently developed operational capacities in alignment with NATO standards. In this regard, beyond being a mere diplomatic engagement, the meetings also serve as an important institutional platform where long-term objectives related to the regional security architecture are discussed.
In addition, the reforms introduced in the military education system and the implementation of the planning, programming, and budgeting system in the field of defense planning may serve as a model for countries like Kazakhstan that are undergoing similar transformation processes. In this context, it is evident that information sharing is not limited to the technical level but also assumes a normative and institutional dimension.
As part of this visit, the Kazakh delegation had the opportunity to conduct an on-site inspection of a battalion operating within the Azerbaijani Armed Forces, allowing for the acquisition of practical, hands-on information on various matters. Within this unit, they observed which NATO standards are applied and how, how duty assignments are defined, and the nature of the technical inventory.
Various aspects such as the specific implementation of NATO standards, the structuring of duty assignments, and the characteristics of the technical inventory were also directly observed. This phase proved functional in allowing Azerbaijan to demonstrate the developments in its military institutionalization on the ground. During the briefings, topics such as the scope of duties, structure, strategic objectives, and contributions to defense capacity of sub-units were also addressed. The completion of this technical presentation enables the effective execution of mutual capacity-building processes. As a result of the meeting, the relevant actors engaged in comprehensive information sharing on matters of mutual interest and provided clarity on a wide range of questions.[2]
The military engagements between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, which have gained momentum as of 2025, hold the potential to enhance the institutional capacity of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) in the fields of security and defense. Following their independence, both countries entered a process of shaping their national security policies, and in recent years, they have been able to synchronize these policies and integrate them into regional strategies. The bilateral meetings concluded in Baku demonstrate that this process is not solely diplomatic in nature but can also be supported through the practical transfer of military knowledge and experience.
This partnership is not limited to Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan alone; it also strengthens the foundations of a common security vision across the Turkic World. In particular, Azerbaijan’s experience in this field—shaped by its partnership perspective with NATO—can serve as a guiding example for governments like Kazakhstan, which pursue a highly balanced foreign policy. In the future, training programs, joint exercises, and defense industry collaborations may enable the construction of a multidimensional strategic partnership between the two countries.
[1] “В Баку прошли военные консультации между Азербайджаном и Казахстаном”, vesti.az, https://www.vesti.az/armiya/v-baku-prosli-voennye-konsultacii-mezdu-azerbaidzanom-i-kazaxstanom-foto-550396, (Erişim Tarihi: 03.07.2025).
[2] “Состоялась встреча между военными представителями Азербайджана и Казахстана”, Mod.gov.az, https://mod.gov.az/ru/news/sostoyalas-vstrecha-mezhdu-voennymi-predstavitelyami-azerbajdzhana-i-kazahstana-55131.html, (Erişim Tarihi: 03.07.2025).
