Turkish arms exports to Azerbaijan increase dramatically before conflict

Turkish arms exports to Azerbaijan have increased dramatically this year, ahead of the outbreak of violence with Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabkh region. In September 2020 alone, over $77m worth of drones and other equipment were exported. Sales jumped massively from July - $278,000 of exports - to August, when $36m worth of arms were exported. In total, in the first nine months of 2020, Turkey exported $77m worth of arms to Azerbaijan, compared to $20m in the same period in 2019.

Fighting between Azerbaijan and Armenia broke out on 27th September. Turkish arms sold to Azerbaijan included drones, rocket launchers, ammunition and other weapons, and Turkey has voiced support for Azerbaijan throughout the conflict.