- Part of the facility might be leased to the Pakistani Air Force, which possesses nuclear capabilities
Baku (Agencies) July 5, 2025 — Azerbaijan is reportedly preparing to host the largest NATO-linked military base in the Caucasus, according to statements attributed to Eldar Namazov, former head of the presidential administration under Heydar Aliyev. The proposed base, to be constructed in partnership with Turkey, would be located near Azerbaijan’s northern border with the Russian Federation, signaling a dramatic shift in regional security dynamics.
Namazov’s remarks, delivered to local media, reflect growing anxiety in Baku over mounting pressure from Russia and Iran, particularly in the wake of the Ukraine conflict. He warned that Azerbaijan could be next in line for destabilization, citing recent incidents such as the June 27 deaths of two Azerbaijani nationals during a Russian police raid in Yekaterinburg—a move Baku condemned as ethnically motivated and extrajudicial.
While the Azerbaijani government has not officially confirmed the base’s construction, Namazov’s call for a permanent Turkish military presence is being interpreted as a strategic signal. He emphasized that the base could serve not only Turkish interests but also those of Pakistan, suggesting that part of the facility might be leased to the Pakistani Air Force, which possesses nuclear capabilities.
The proposal comes amid a sharp downturn in Azerbaijan-Russia relations, including the closure of Russian media offices in Baku, suspension of cultural exchanges, and arrests of Russian nationals. Moscow has issued a rare public warning, accusing Baku of undermining their “strategically important” bilateral ties.
Although similar reports have surfaced in previous years and were dismissed by President Ilham Aliyev as speculative, the current geopolitical climate appears to be reviving the debate. Analysts note that the Shusha Declaration, signed between Turkey and Azerbaijan in 2021, already provides for mutual military assistance in the event of external aggression, laying the groundwork for deeper defense integration.
If confirmed, the base would mark a historic shift in NATO’s footprint in the post-Soviet South Caucasus, potentially altering the balance of power in a region long dominated by Russian influence.