AzerbaijanAzerbaijan showcases new weapons, deepens defence ties with Turkeyby Rafig Shahbazov• 1 min readShare▲Photo: adex.azAzerbaijan has unveiled new domestically produced drones and robotic systems at the ADEX 2026 defence exhibition in Baku, where it also signed defence industry agreements worth more than $500 million. The agreements with Turkish companies include the planned delivery of 14 trainer aircraft and cooperation involving ASELSAN’s ALP-100 radar, drone systems from Baykar’s and ANTİDOT, and Roketsan’s BARBAROS coastal defence system. In the exhibition, Azerbaijan showcased its own autonomous systems alongside conventional weapons and ammunition. Azerbaijan’s military spending has increased dramatically in recent years: by 22.9% in the 2025 budget and a further 8% in 2026. Since 2024, Baku has also signed arms procurement and agreements to cooperate on military technology with Israel, Türkiye, Italy, Pakistan, Serbia, and the Czech Republic.Fifty-nine foreign delegations from 39 countries registered for the ADEX 2026 exhibition. This year, several US companies are participating for the first time. Azerbaijan placed a particular focus on unmanned and robotic systems at this ADEX exhibition, alongside conventional weapons and ammunition, unveiling a range of new domestically produced weapons and military technologies; these included kamikaze drones, unmanned ground vehicles, small arms, ammunition, and artillery systems. The exhibition also highlighted growing defence cooperation between Azerbaijan and Turkey. The two countries have signed defence industry agreements worth more than $500 million during the event. Rafiq Shahbazov is a journalist based in Tbilisi, covering political and social developments in Azerbaijan, as well as issues affecting ethnic Azerbaijanis in the region. He has worked with independent media outlets. His work focuses on human rights, environmental issues, and pressure on journalists and civil society. Armenian authorities said Baku had earlier warned them that a soldier may have crossed the border. Once seen as a pivotal part of the transition to manhood, military service is being rethought as attitudes and priorities shift. SpaceXAI didn’t respond to OC Media’s question over whether they had set up any limits for Grok’s use. Ismayilov was reportedly detained for criticising Baku’s arrest of several other Talysh activists. Show moreOur NewslettersOC InsiderCulture DispatchTracking the rise of authoritarianism in Georgia Become an OC Media MemberSupport independent journalism in the CaucasusJoin TodayTheCaucasusDaily BriefThursday, 01 October 2026Members onlyEditor‘s PicksGeorgiaThree years after Georgia’s NGO restrictions, what’s left of civil society?by Lana Kokaia•9 min readGeorgia‘Soldiers who save lives’ — Creating safe spaces amidst Georgia’s drug crackdownTby Tamuna Chkareuli•11 min readWomen’s Rights‘A Soviet-style culture of informants’: how Georgia’s feminists learned to live under siegeby Tatev Hovhannisyan•6 min read Powered by FourthEstateWant a news site like this? Launch your own in minutes.No code. No developers.