In his article for Shephard, Egozi highlights that Azerbaijan’s latest requisition includes a new shopping list to Israel’s MoD, featuring notably two Ofeq-type high-resolution spy satellites capable of images with less than one-meter resolution.
Israel, recognized as a pivotal supplier of defense systems to Azerbaijan, maintains robust defense relations with Baku, largely influenced by Azerbaijan’s strategic position bordering Iran to the south.
Throughout the conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia, Azerbaijan extensively deployed Israeli-made weapon systems. These included the Lora long-range ground-to-ground missile and the Harop heavy loitering weapon system, both products of Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), as well as various loitering munitions manufactured by Uvision. The demands from Baku have evolved to include loitering weapon systems equipped with larger warheads for enhanced impact.
Moreover, Azerbaijan has integrated the Barak-MX air defense system, also by IAI, into its military capabilities. The Barak-MX, part of the wider Barak missile family, is a versatile air defense solution designed to counter missile and aircraft threats, operable from both marine and land platforms.
Earlier in the year, Azerbaijan expressed interest in acquiring the SpyX loitering weapon system from BlueBird Aero Systems, an Israeli firm. The SpyX system is noted for its 50km range, 90-minute mission duration, and autonomous electro-optical guided attacks, promising precise impact and seamless integration with BlueBird’s Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) ISR UAV family.
Recently, Baku has broadened its request to the Israeli MoD, seeking additional loitering munitions with heavier payloads, anti-tank weapons, sophisticated networked communication, and Electronic Warfare (EW) systems.
Israeli sources have indicated a cautious approach to granting export permits for these systems, considering the U.S.’s involvement in mediating an end to the hostilities between Azerbaijan and Armenia. “While it’s not that the Americans have explicitly forbidden Israel from selling specific systems, there’s a sentiment that not every request can be approved at this juncture,” a senior source disclosed to Shephard.
