Foreword to Azeri Infantry Equipment and Gear
The Armed Forces of Azerbaijan were re-established following the dissolution of the Soviet Union. For the first time since it became a Soviet Republic in the 1920s, Azerbaijan acquired a completely independent military. As the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991, the Azeri armed forces were reformed based on Soviet bases and equipment that had been originally left on its soil. Further globalization and economic development thereafter has allowed Azerbaijan to also acquire foreign military equipment. This includes surplus from the United States and gear from Israel, as well as holdover equipment from the Soviet era.
Due to the close geopolitical ties with Turkey, a good majority of Azeri gear is made in Turkey or of Turkish imported materials.
Milsim West modified patch regulations for the notional Azeri Army
Note: This guide is non-complete, and serves as a starting point for the building of an Azeri MilSim Kit. The kit listed below is a cursory guideline for an Azeri kit within the specific parameters of MSW or are of notable importance for the Azeri forces.
Nano uniforms will NOT be used for Milsim West Azeri units due to Turkish units utilizing them.
AZERI CAMOUFLAGE
KLMK:
This Soviet-era pattern has been in service with Azerbaijani forces since it was a Soviet republic. During the earliest period of its independence, airborne and special forces units retained the pattern, which they have continued to use sporadically into the present era with border guards utilizing these suits in the 2020 Nagorno Karabakh war.
Turkish “Leaf” Pattern:
The Turkish military made their own distinguishable variant of M81 Woodland which was used until the advent of their Tubitak designed nano camouflage. This pattern is used in conjunction with M81 uniforms.
Woodland Pattern:
One standard camouflage pattern of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces today is a copy of the US M81 woodland camouflage pattern.
Border Guard Woodland:
Azeri border guards also use a distinctive woodland pattern with aqua blue as a dominant color. Also see in the hands of Azeri-backed mercenaries.
Azeri Arid Pattern:
Since at least 2013, the regular Armed Forces and Internal Troops of Azerbaijan (Azərbaycan Respublikası Daxili Qoşunların) have been wearing Turkish nano camouflage. Some of the fabric is imported from Turkey and is also made domestically. Uniforms, helmet covers and 2nd line gear appear in this pattern for many Azeri units.
Note: Nano uniforms will NOT be used for Milsim West Azeri units due to Turkish units utilizing them.
Azeri Combat Headgear
Surplus PASGT Helmet:
Azeri issued helmets with a continuous rear brim, Ukrainian Kaska 1Ms, and US PASGTs are utilized. The latter is easily accessible for an Azeri kit. Black PASGT cut helmets also acceptable.
OpsCore FAST Helmet:
Exclusively utilized by Azeri Special Forces. SF will also use various high cut helmets.
Azeri 2nd Line Gear
AK LBV:
These are the standard issue vest issued to Azeri troops, typically in a woodland copy and in the local woodland variants. Many are likely from Turkey, with some domestically produced in Azerbaijan.
These are also acceptable in the Nano pattern.
Turkish Nano LBV:
2nd line Azeri made gear in the Turkish Nano pattern is very commonly mixed with the Azeri camouflage uniforms in service. Turkish Anafarta vests such as these have been seen in nano and even Turkish Gendarme pattern in the recent 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
Eagle Industries MMAC:
The primary plate carrier of all special forces units, these are always used in the Multicam patter. Interestingly enough, many operators will use the clips meant for an Eagle pack and bring them up front, possibly for front placards or chest rigs.
Azeri Personal Gear
Turkish Leaf Patern BDU Set
Surplus Combat Boots
M65 Field Jacket in M81
CWG in woodland will suffice.
Combat Belt in OD
Azeri Infantry Reference Gallery
Note that reference photographs featuring DCU uniforms are Azeris on foreign deployment to Iraq, and that KLMK wearing soldiers are border guards.
Information produced for the MSW Azerbaijan Front game.
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