Critical review of the protection of aircraft defense forces during the conflict in Nagorno Karabah in 2020

ABSTRACT

The conflict between the armed forces of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the armed forces of Nagorno Karabakh in the Nagorno Karabakh region analyzed in this paper covers the period from 26 September 2020 to 11 October 2020. The Armed Forces of the Republic of Azerbaijan conducted an offensive operation with the maximum use of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in order to achieve success in the initial phase of the operation by targeting land forces in prepared defensive positions, air-defence systems, and command posts. Effects of the actions of UAV shown on footage published by Azerbaijan Armed forces indicate that the Nagorno Karabakh armed forces failed to anticipate and to provide protection of the land forces against mass use of UAV, primarily the air defense systems. This paper analyzes the physical and military dimension of the conflict with focus on the shortcomings in the protection of the air defense systems from mass use of UAV. Based on the analysis, the paper presents recommendations for improving the protection of the air defense systems against UAV on tactical level.

KEYWORDS:

• Nagorno Karabakh
• military conflict
• UAV
• unit protection

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1. At the meeting of teachers of the Department of Operations on 28.11.2020, teachers discussed the Nagorno Karabakh conflict and expressed opinions on the protection of forces in that conflict.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Miroslav Terzić

PHD Miroslav Terzić Employed at the University of Defense of the Republic of Serbia. He holds a master’s degree and a doctorate in military sciences. He teaches subjects in the field of military operations in basic academic studies and specializations in military sciences.