Following the Shusha Declaration on Allied Relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Turkey, two countries will cooperate in the defense industry.  Executive Director of the Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication, Doctor of Economics, Professor Vusal Gasimli commented on the prospects of cooperation in the defense industry.

V.Gasimli stated that following Shusha Declaration, Turkey and Azerbaijan would support each other in the development of defense industry technologies, as well as by sharing production technologies would create industry spheres they do not have. He said, “The active use of several weapons and equipment produced by Azerbaijan's local military industry in the 44-day proved once again the role of this field in terms of security and economic development of our country. More than 50 new production facilities supplied with the latest technology and equipment have been created at more than 25 enterprises of the Ministry of Defense Industry. Also, more than 25 complex technological lines and equipment were installed, and more than 2,200 different machines, 10,000 devices, tools, and devices were purchased and handed over to enterprises for operation. However, the world's defense industry is rapidly renewing and competition is intensifying. The nature of the defense industry is changing in the face of the application of 5G technologies cyber, electromagnetic, and biothreats. Along with importing weapons from major players in the global arms market, including the United States, Russia, France, Germany, Britain, and Israel, a number of countries are developing their defense industries. There are three main trends in the defense industry: digital transformation, the supply of new technologies, and the difficulty of keeping the knowledge and skills of the workforce up to date”.

Taking into account global trends, V.Gasimli emphasized the importance of cooperation of Azerbaijan with Turkey – the country with the developed defense industry. As he said, “Israeli intellectual Yuval Noah Harari says that after industrialization in the 19th century, Britain began world hegemony, and in the 21st century, the state (s) leading in the field of artificial intelligence will repeat the same scenario. China and the United States are currently at the forefront of the artificial intelligence competition. If the benefits of artificial intelligence are not shared among people, some countries could turn into high-tech hubs and others into exploited data colonies. Cooperation with Turkey in the field of defense industry let Azerbaijan ensure technological development, create jobs, and gain opportunities to increase exports by reducing imports and join global value chains. Defense industry organizations of Azerbaijan and Turkey will cooperate in domestic and international markets in the field of technology, military products, and service provision. The Patriotic War also demonstrated that not only military strategy and tactics but also technological supremacy are crucial for victory. ”

V.Gasimli considers that The Turkish defense industry is attractive to Azerbaijan not only for its technology but also in terms of development, public-private partnerships, funds allocated for research and development, staff training, as well as the effective functioning of the science-education-business triangle.