Recent media reports suggest that Azerbaijan may consider lifting its embargo on supplying weapons to Ukraine, motivated by increasingly hostile actions from the russian federation toward Baku. This raises the question: what exactly could Azerbaijan provide?
Among the first ones to share the news were caliber.az, the journalists write that the discussion concerns supplies from Azerbaijan's own arsenal rather than newly manufactured products from its defense industry.
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This points toward the existing stock of Soviet-era weaponry — much of it inherited after the USSR's collapse and later supplemented with purchases from russia, Belarus, and Ukraine — as the most likely source of potential aid.
Azerbaijan's ground forces possess a substantial inventory of self-propelled artillery. The 2S1 Gvozdika and 2S3 Akatsiya systems would be particularly attractive for Ukrainian use and could be transferred with a relatively high probability. Heavier platforms like the 2S19 Msta-S and 2S7 Pion are also in service, though their transfer is a bit more doubtful.
In towed artillery, Azerbaijan fields around 30 D-20 152mm howitzers, 42 Giatsint-B guns, and more than 200 D-30 122mm systems — all still actively used by Ukrainian forces despite their age. These could be early candidates for transfer, especially as they are replaced by newer systems.
Here it's worth reminding that Baku has already invested in modern replacements, such as 48 Serbian 155mm Nora B-52 self-propelled guns and 72 Czech 155mm Dita systems. As these enter service, older artillery pieces could be freed up for delivery to Ukraine.
In multiple launch rocket systems, Azerbaijan operates roughly 120 BM-21 Grad launchers and about 30 RM-70s, the Czech variant of the Grad. While some would likely be retained due to their low operating cost, a portion could be supplied to Kyiv.
A more interesting option would be Azerbaijan's 30–40 BM-30 Smerch systems. These could be sent either directly or adapted as platforms for other MLRS types. Although such a valuable transfer may seem unlikely, Baku is purchasing Turkish equivalents, which could make retiring older russian and Soviet launchers easier.
The Azerbaijani military also keeps several Tochka-U tactical ballistic missile systems. These have long been replaced by more advanced Israeli models, making them theoretically available — but political considerations may ultimately prevail over generosity.
Less desirable but still realistic options include older towed artillery like the M-46 and D-44. While these are far from cutting-edge, their presence on the battlefield in Ukraine means that even outdated firepower could still be valuable.
As for armored vehicles, the fleet includes hundreds of Soviet and russian personnel carriers — BTR-60, BTR-70, BTR-80, BTR-80A, and BTR-82A — along with infantry fighting vehicles such as the BMD-1, BMP-1, BMP-2, and BMP-3. Some of these technically could be transferred, though the absence of large orders for modern replacements might limit such moves.
In tanks, Azerbaijan operates hundreds of T-72s, which could be viable for supply. It also fields T-90S and T-55 tanks, with the former almost certainly off-limits, and the latter of questionable utility given their age and limited ammunition stocks.
Air defense assets include Soviet-era S-200 and S-125 systems, Buk-M1s, and russian S-300s. Transfers in this category seem generally unlikely, but if any were to occur, the older S-200 or S-125 systems would be the likeliest candidates.
In aviation, Azerbaijan flies Su-25 attack aircraft, MiG-29 fighters, L-39 trainers, and Mi-24 helicopters. Given the small numbers of these platforms, their transfer appears doubtful.
Lastly, among man-portable arms, the Azerbaijani military uses the Skif anti-tank guided missile, the export version of Ukraine's Stugna-P, which could be a realistic item for shipment.
Beyond these categories, unmentioned items such as mortars or aging automotive equipment could also be supplied, though such transfers are harder to predict. Especially when it comes to arms of Turkish and Israeli origin, whose rightholder have their own reservations about allowing Ukraine operate their weapons.
Taken together, while many of Azerbaijan's most advanced assets are unlikely to be shared, its substantial reserve of Soviet-era artillery, armored vehicles, and possibly missile systems could provide Ukraine with a meaningful boost if the embargo is indeed lifted.
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