The Azerbaijani Armed Forces began large-scale operational-tactical exercises on Monday, March 15 and are supposed to stage "counter-terrorist operations", one day ahead of the drills of the Armenian Army.

Up to Azeri 10,000 troops, about 100 units of tanks and other armored vehicles, some 200 rocket and artillery systems, multiple rocket launchers and mortars, up to 30 units of military aviation, as well as unmanned aerial vehicles are involved in the training maneuvers of the neighboring country.

Azerbaijan's exercises will run through March 18.

The Armenian army too is preparing for major drills, set to be held on March 16-20, the Defense Ministry reported earlier. The exercises will involve about 200 missile, rocket artillery and artillery systems, more than 150 anti-tank systems, some 100 armored vehicles, over 90 air defense systems, as well as aviation.