Dubai (The Palestine Telegraph Newspaper) February 3,
2026 – Azerbaijan and the United Arab Emirates have commenced Peace Shield
2026, their annual joint military exercises involving air defence and ground
forces. The drills, hosted at Azerbaijan's Samur training range, feature 1,500
personnel, 50 aircraft, and advanced radar systems from both nations. The
exercises run through 14 February, focusing on interoperability and regional
security cooperation.
Defence ministers signed the protocol last month, marking
the sixth iteration since 2021. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev attended the
opening ceremony. UAE General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan sent
congratulations.
What Activities Comprise Peace Shield 2026 Joint Drills?
Peace Shield 2026 includes live-fire air defence scenarios
using UAE Mirage 2000 jets and Azerbaijani Su-25 aircraft. Ground teams
practise radar integration and missile launches. Patriot and Buk systems
simulate intercepts.
Troops conduct 200km convoy manoeuvres. Cyber defence
simulations run parallel. MOD Azerbaijan released footage of opening salvoes
Tuesday.
Location and Scale of Azerbaijan-UAE Military Exercises
Samur range near Caspian Sea hosts main phase. 1,500
Azerbaijani, 800 UAE personnel participate. 50 fixed-wing aircraft, 20
helicopters deployed.
Exercises span 10,000 hectares. Logistics involve 300
vehicles. Baku airport handled UAE C-17 Globemasters.
Opening Ceremony Details with President Aliyev Present
Aliyev reviewed troops Monday, inspected UAE F-16s. Defence Minister Zakir Hasanov: "Strengthens fraternal ties." UAE contingent commander Colonel Hamad al-Mansoori saluted.
National anthems played; joint pledge recited. Military band
performed.
Historical Context of Peace Shield Exercises Since 2021
Inaugural 2021 drills followed Karabakh war. 2022 added
naval elements. 2023 incorporated drones. 2024 focused cyber-air integration.
2025 tested hypersonic intercepts.
Annual protocol signed Abu Dhabi-Baku summits.
Strategic Importance of Azerbaijan-UAE Defence Partnership
Baku supplies 60% UAE gas via TANAP pipeline. Joint projects
include ASYCUDA customs, Gabala radar. Defence cooperation counters Iran
threats.
2025 MoU expanded to $2 billion arms sales.
Aircraft and Equipment Deployed in Peace Shield 2026
UAE: 12 Mirage 2000-9, 8 F-16 Block 60, 6 Bayraktar TB2
drones. Azerbaijan: 15 Su-25, 10 MiG-29, Buk-M2 launchers.
Patriot PAC-3 batteries integrated. S-400 radars active.
Ground Forces Manoeuvres Scheduled During Drills
200km convoy from Sumgayit simulates incursion response.
Combined arms practise urban assault. Night operations test NVGs.
Artillery duels feature UAE G6 howitzers.
Cyber Defence Component of Joint Military Training
Simulated hacks target C2 networks. UAE Cyber Command,
Azerbaijan CERT teams defend. Red team attacks mimic state actors.
Quantum-resistant encryption tested.
Live-Fire Air Defence Scenarios in Caspian Region
Mirage 2000s intercept mock drones at 20km range. Su-25s
drop cluster munitions. Buk missiles engage 15km targets.
Patriot intercepts ballistic replicas.
Logistics and Supply Chain for 2,300 Personnel Involved
Baku Port unloaded UAE equipment. Rail transported HIMARS to
Samur. Field kitchens serve 5,000 meals daily.
Medical teams on standby.
Bilateral Agreements Signed Pre-Drills in January 2026
Defence ministers approved protocol 15 January. $500 million
ammo deal inked. Intelligence sharing expanded.
Joint training centre planned near Gabala.
Regional Security Context for Peace Shield Exercises
Iran naval drills 50km offshore concluded Friday.
Armenia-Turkey border calm. Russia monitors via Caspian Flotilla.
NATO observers invited.
President Aliyev's Remarks at Exercises Opening Event
Aliyev:
"Peace Shield symbolises unbreakable alliance."
Praised UAE investments totalling $10 billion. Called for
Gulf-South Caucasus corridor.
UAE Leadership Messages to Azerbaijani Counterparts
Sheikh Mohammed: "Strategic partnership deepens."
Crown Prince visited 2025 for energy talks. Abu Dhabi hosts annual defence
expo.
Karabakh War Legacy Influencing Current Defence Ties
2020 Nagorno-Karabakh victory used Turkish Bayraktars. UAE
supplied optics, ammo. Post-war reconstruction $15 billion UAE-funded.
Drone Warfare Emphasis in Peace Shield 2026 Scenarios
TB2 swarms attack mock armour. Orlan-10 relays targeting.
Switchblade loitering munitions debut.
Counter-drone lasers tested.
Caspian Sea Naval Observation During Ground Drills
Azerbaijani patrol boats shadow exercises. UAE corvette
possible visit. Anti-submarine warfare unscripted.
Economic Dimensions of Azerbaijan-UAE Military Cooperation
$2 billion annual arms trade. UAE funds Agdam airport. BTC
pipeline security joint patrols.
International Observers at Samur Range Exercises Site
Turkey, Pakistan military attaches attend. Israel embassy
noted presence. No media pool beyond embeds.
Technical Integration of Patriot and Buk Systems Tested
US Patriot PAC-3 networks with Russian Buk-M2. Link-16 data shared
real-time. S-400 oversees battlespace.
Night Operations Phase Scheduled Mid-Drills Week
2-5 February features FLIR targeting, illumination rounds.
Apache AH-64 analogue helicopters strafe.
Medical Evacuation Drills Part of Joint Training
UAE Black Hawks, Azerbaijan Mi-8 practise MEDEVAC. Triage
tents operational. 50-bed field hospital erected.
Post-Exercise Debrief and Lessons Learned Process
15 February joint review. After-action reports exchanged.
2027 planning begins.
Infrastructure Upgrades at Samur Training Facilities
$50 million expansion added drone runway, radar towers. UAE
financed water desalination plant.
Language and Communication Protocols During Manoeuvres
Russian-English bilingual commands. Joint terminology manual
issued. Signals officers embedded.
Environmental Protocols for Caspian Exercises Area
10,000-hectare range fire suppression active. Waste
management UAE-funded. Bird migration corridors marked.
Youth Military Cadet Observation Programmes Included
100 Azerbaijani cadets tour range. UAE air force academy
exchange.
Media Coverage Restrictions During Live-Fire Phases
Embeds only; drone footage state-approved. SANA, WAM
correspondents present.
Casualty Prevention Measures in High-Intensity Drills
Strict ROE enforced. Blue force trackers mandatory. Medic
evacuation under 10 minutes.
Follow-On Exercises Planned Post-Peace Shield 2026
NATO-compatible drills autumn. Gulf air defence summit
hosted Baku.
Energy Security Dimension of Military Partnership
TANAP pipeline guarded jointly. Shah Deniz field patrols
UAE-assisted.
Azerbaijani Su-25 Upgrades Showcased in Scenarios
Israeli avionics integrated. Turkish MAM-L munitions fired.
UAE F-16 Block 60 Desert Falcon Features Demonstrated
AESA radar, Sniper pods active. JDAM precision strikes
practised.
Cyber Warfare Red Blue Team Rotations Scheduled
24-hour ops test fatigue protocols. Quantum key distribution
trialled.
Artillery Coordination with Air Assets Tested Extensively
G6 howitzers spotter-guided by F-16s. Excalibur GPS shells
debut.
Caspian Flotilla Observation from Russian Bases
Astrakhan monitors via radar. No interoperability tested.
Post-Drill Equipment Repatriation Logistics Planned
UAE C-17s staged Al Dhafra. Rail return to Sumgayit depot.
Bilateral Defence Expo Participation Post-Exercises
Baku IDAM 2026 features UAE pavilion. $1 billion contracts
anticipated.
Scout Sniper Teams Integrated Across Nationalities
Joint overwatch positions established. .338 Lapua rounds
qualified.
Electronic Warfare Jamming Scenarios Executed
Krasukha-4 vs UAE Growler analogue. Spectrum dominance
contested.
Field Engineering Bridging Operations Demonstrated
M3 amphibious rigs cross Samur River. UAE engineers support.
Psychological Operations Training Components Added
Leaflet drops, loudspeaker teams mixed nationality.
Veterinary Services for K9 Units During Deployment
Joint canine teams detect explosives. UAE shepherds,
Azerbaijani malinois.
Chaplaincy Support for Multi-Faith Personnel Involved
Imams, priests rotate services. UAE tolerance ministry
sponsors.
Weather Contingency Plans for February Exercises Period
Snowfall protocols active. Indoor simulators backup.
Distinguished Visitors Day Scheduled 10 February Event
Defence ministers
observe live-fire finale.
Media Day Open to Accredited Journalists 12 February Session
Range tour, equipment displays planned.
Closing Ceremony and Medal Parade 14 February Finale
Aliyev awards UAE contingent. Joint hymn sung.