Azerbaijan, Czech Republic in talks on joint arms production

Azerbaijan and the Czech Republic are discussing joint military manufacturing projects, President Ilham Aliyev revealed on Monday following a meeting with Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis in Gabala, a city in northern Azerbaijan.

Defense cooperation deepens

“We purchase many military products from the Czech Republic, and at the current stage, negotiations are underway on specific projects related to joint production,” Aliyev said at a joint news conference. The defense industry has emerged as a key pillar of bilateral ties, with both sides exploring co-manufacturing arrangements that go beyond traditional arms sales.

Energy and trade expansion

Beyond defense, Aliyev highlighted energy cooperation, noting that Azerbaijani oil holds a significant share in the Czech Republic’s energy balance. Babis confirmed that Baku is Prague’s largest crude supplier, providing 42% of its oil imports. Aliyev also pointed out that Azerbaijan exports natural gas to countries neighboring the Czech Republic and supplies 16 nations in total, including 10 European Union members. Bilateral trade turnover has now surpassed $800 million, though Aliyev noted that oil exports still dominate the trade structure.

Infrastructure and strategic partnership

Babis expressed interest in a long-term gas supply contract, saying Azerbaijan could become a “de facto” strategic partner alongside its role in oil. The Czech prime minister also discussed infrastructure projects, including the expansion of Karlovy Vary Airport and its runway, which he described as a potential new strategically important airport for Czech investment.