The air forces of Azerbaijan and Turkey conducted live fire exercises Oct. 1 as part of joint drills.

The exercises were supervised by Azerbaijan’s Defense Minister, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, according to the website of the Defense Ministry of Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijani minister today visited the landfill, where the flights of aircraft were carried out.

The MiG-29 and F-16 fighter jets, simulating conventional aerial combat, performed various manoeuvres and practical training and combat flights.

The MiG-29 fighters conducting live fire exercises on destroying ground targets supported the F-16 fighters.

The minister said the drills are being carried out under the instruction of Azerbaijani President, Supreme Commander of Armed Forces Ilham Aliyev.

He said the servicemen of Azerbaijan and Turkey have conducted joint drill in the past.

“The drills have been held with participation of various types of troops in fraternal Turkey and in Azerbaijan,” Colonel General Hasanov said.

He added that the joint drills of the two states’ air forces are held for the first time ever, and what is more, they are held in Azerbaijan.

“It is very important that military pilots of Azerbaijan and Turkey, performing joint combat missions, cover and support each other in battles. I highly appreciate these drills. We will hold drills on a larger scale,” the minister said.