Azerbaijan, UK Open New Chapter in Defence Industry Cooperation

Baku, The Gulf Observer: President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received Lord Vernon Coaker, Minister of State at the Ministry of Defence of the United Kingdom, in Baku on September 30, with the two sides discussing prospects for expanding bilateral cooperation, particularly in the defence industry.

Lord Vernon Coaker expressed gratitude for the reception and said he was honored to visit Azerbaijan and meet with President Aliyev.

The British minister highlighted the significance of the ADEX 2026 and Securex Caspian exhibitions held in Baku, noting the United Kingdom’s interest in participating in the events. He also thanked President Aliyev for the high-level organization of the exhibitions.

Describing Azerbaijan as an important and friendly country for the United Kingdom, Lord Vernon Coaker emphasized Britain’s interest in further strengthening the relationship between the two countries.

President Ilham Aliyev, in turn, expressed appreciation for the minister’s participation in the exhibitions and noted that ADEX had developed over the years into an important international event.

The Azerbaijani President said a new chapter had been opened in the bilateral partnership between Azerbaijan and the United Kingdom through cooperation in the defence industry.

President Aliyev noted that Azerbaijan had invested in the development of its defence industry for more than two decades and had established production capabilities serving both domestic requirements and export markets.

He also highlighted potential cooperation with leading companies in the delivery of modern weapons and military equipment to Azerbaijan, as well as the establishment of joint ventures in the country.

The President underlined the importance of cooperation with the United Kingdom in this context, pointing to opportunities for further development of defence-industrial ties between the two countries.