Baku 2025: The Israeli Arsenal on Display
10.11.2025
The parade of the armed forces of Azerbaijan on November 8, 2025, in Baku became a showcase for the newest Israeli military technologies. The demonstration of weaponry and military equipment was notable for the abundance of the newest Israeli armaments, which underlined that the share of Israeli high-tech systems in the Azerbaijani army's arsenal continues to grow, strengthening Azerbaijan's status as one of the largest and most significant operators.
Loitering munitions IAI Harop, Harpy, Hero-120, and Sky Striker were shown, all capable of extended patrol and delivering pinpoint strikes. Of these, only the Hero-120 has recently entered Azerbaijani service. With such a combination of loitering munitions, Azerbaijan is capable of conducting both deep strategic strikes with the help of Harop, and strikes at the operational-tactical level (with the help of SkyStriker and Hero-120).
Reconnaissance and strike drones were represented by a wide spectrum of complexes (Orbiter-series, including the K1 kamikaze drone variant, Aerostar, Hermes-450), ensuring multi-level Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR). In a number of cases, cooperation includes the joint production and assembly of Israeli drones (for example, the Orbiter series), which allows Azerbaijan to develop its industrial and technological defense base and gain access to important know-how. At the same time, Azerbaijan's arsenal also includes heavy, high-altitude MALE-class UAVs: the Israeli Hermes 900 and IAI Heron, which were not demonstrated at the parade. These platforms provide reconnaissance support at long distances and high altitudes.
Judging by the video footage, Azerbaijan possesses the PULS (Precision Universal Launching System) family of missile systems, including the newest SkyStriker Block4, Predator Hawk (370mm), as well as previously-operated systems EXTRA (306mm), ACCULAR 122mm MLRS, and GRAD-LAR 160mm. The appearance of the SkyStriker Block4 precisely shows that Azerbaijan is receiving the freshest developments from the Israeli defense industry. SkyStriker Block 4 is a multi-launch system for loitering munitions for use in operational-tactical operations. The Sea Breaker cruise missile, with a range of up to 300 km and possessing multi-purpose potential: against naval targets and stationary ground objects (command posts, infrastructure), deserves separate attention. This expands Azerbaijan's high-precision strike capability. In combination with LORA ballistic missiles, these systems are capable of engaging targets at significant ranges.
SandCat-Storm armored vehicles were shown, equipped with Spike-ER anti-tank guided missiles (practically all models of Spike missiles are present in Azerbaijan's arsenal) and Spear 120mm mortars. These platforms emphasize speed of deployment, firepower, and a focus on mobility in combat operations.
In sum, the arms demonstration in Baku reflects the scale of Israeli-Azerbaijani military cooperation and an orientation towards a combination of intelligence data, mobility, and high-precision weaponry, which is one of the foundations of modern military doctrines. The presence of long-range high-precision systems (LORA, Sea Breaker, Predator Hawk) increases the offensive potential.
While the parade demonstrated the strike potential of the ground forces, the military-technical cooperation between Azerbaijan and Israel has a broader, systemic nature: air defense, space, and cybersecurity.
Azerbaijan is strengthening its air defense, including with Israeli AD assets. The Israeli Barak-8 SAM system is already in service, and in 2023, Baku concluded an agreement to purchase the advanced version of the system—Barak MX, capable of integrating various types of missiles and providing multi-layered defense at ranges up to 150 km. Azerbaijan uses Israeli EL/M-2080 Green Pine radars, as well as other radar models integrated into the country's overall air defense system, ensuring the detection of various aerial targets.
In addition to high-precision missiles and AD assets, Azerbaijan is actively expanding its space capabilities. Baku is acquiring reconnaissance satellites from Israel, which provide surveillance and real-time information gathering. This can enhance the Azerbaijani army's capabilities in planning operations and monitoring the situation, creating an integration of space and ground-based intelligence data.
Besides arms procurement, cooperation between Azerbaijan and Israel is also actively developing in the field of cybersecurity. In 2023, a Cybersecurity Center was opened in Baku with the participation of the Israeli Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, designed to train over 1,000 specialists. In 2025, the parties discussed the creation of a joint Cybersecurity Operational Center and the implementation of advanced technological solutions with the Israeli company Check Point (a global leader in cybersecurity).
Azerbaijan and Israel maintain a defense partnership that goes beyond ordinary "buyer-seller" relations, and it is long-term and stable. For Israel, Azerbaijan is not only a key springboard for influence in the South Caucasus but also an important energy partner, being the largest supplier of oil to Israel and providing a significant part of its energy needs. Azerbaijan, bordering Iran, also represents an important intelligence and geopolitical asset for Israel.
Thus, Israel's military cooperation with Azerbaijan has not only technical and commercial but also geopolitical significance.
According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), during certain periods, Israel, along with Russia, was the main supplier of armaments to Azerbaijan. The supply of loitering munitions and modern missile systems gave Azerbaijan a technological superiority, which was confirmed during several combat operations from 2016 to 2023.
It is interesting to note that the Minister of Defense of Slovakia and the head of the General Staff of the Serbian Armed Forces were present at the parade. Both countries are suppliers of self-propelled barrel artillery systems to Azerbaijan, and their participation, to some extent, reflected precisely this aspect of military-technical cooperation. However, high-ranking representatives of the main supplier of high-tech armaments—Israel—were not at the parade of the Azerbaijani troops.
The President of Turkey and the Prime Minister of Pakistan were present as honored guests—leaders of countries that maintain tense relations with Israel. Against this backdrop, the political contrast is especially telling.
Turkish President Erdoğan took a tough political demarche against Israel the day before arriving at the Baku parade. The Turkish prosecutor's office issued arrest warrants for 37 Israeli officials, including the Prime Minister and Defense Minister of Israel, on charges of "genocide and crimes against humanity." Pakistan, in turn, does not have diplomatic relations and moreover refuses to recognize the state of Israel until a sovereign Palestinian state is created.
Nevertheless, both leaders admired the potential and equipment of the Azerbaijani army, which are built mainly on high-tech Israeli weaponry. This moment eloquently reflects the pragmatism and realism of regional politics.
Eduard Arakelyan
RCDS
The article was originally published on Civilnet.