641st Naval Special Operations Brigade

641st Naval Special Operations Brigade
641-ci Xüsusi Dəniz Əməliyyatları Briqadası
Founded2001
Country Azerbaijan
Branch Azerbaijani Navy
TypeSpecial forces
RoleCounter Terrorism
Direct Action
Unconventional Warfare
Part ofAzerbaijan Armed Forces
Garrison/HQZikh (outskirts of Baku)

The 641st Naval Special Operations Brigade (Azerbaijani: 641-ci Xüsusi Dəniz Əməliyyatları Briqadası) is a special forces unit in the Azerbaijani Navy. It is currently based in Zığ.[1] The unit has been described as an 'impressive new maritime special forces unit.[2] Its polygon is on Wulf Island in the Bay of Baku.[3] The modern unit was established in 2001 with the cooperation of the Turkish Navy.[4]

Cooperation

The training and organization structure of the unit may be similar to Turkish special forces, Su Altı Taarruz and United States Special Forces who have a training relationship with them.[5] In 2004, a U.S. Navy SEAL team from Little Creek Amphibious Base, participated in joint exercises unit.[6] In 2005, Blackwater USA's Maritime Division was contracted to conduct interdiction training for the unit.[7] In addition, personnel of the unit have trained at the diving school of the Latvian Navy in Liepaja.[8] Exchanges of personnel have also been carried out with a number of foreign countries.[9]

Marine Sabotage and Reconnaissance Center of Special Purpose

The Marine Sabotage and Reconnaissance Center of Special Purpose is the training center of the unit.[10] The organizational and staff structure of the center in 1996 includes: 3 reconnaissance groups, 2 mountain groups and 1 diving group. Each group included 15-20 fighters each.[3] The personnel have participated in a number of joint military exercises with the Turkish Amphibious Marine Brigade and United States Marine Corps.

See also

References

  1. ^ "В фарватере НАТО". flot.com. Retrieved 2020-11-28.
  2. ^ Richard Giragosian[permanent dead link‍]
  3. ^ a b "Specnazopedia - всё о спецназе России". 2012-04-25. Archived from the original on 2012-04-25. Retrieved 2020-11-28.
  4. ^ Кнутов, Юрий. "Спецназ Армении и Азербайджана: место встречи изменить нельзя?". Еженедельник «ЗВЕЗДА» (in Russian). Retrieved 2021-03-06.
  5. ^ "Yandunts". 16 April 2007. Retrieved 14 December 2014.
  6. ^ Donna Mills, Navy Special Ops Demos Training in Azerbaijan Archived July 29, 2009, at the Wayback Machine, American Forces Press Service, June 10, 2004
  7. ^ "Profile: Blackwater Worldwide". International Relations and Security Network. Retrieved 14 December 2014.
  8. ^ "Подводный спецназ на Каспийском море и его подготовка". «Каспийский вестник» (in Russian). 2020-09-17. Retrieved 2020-11-28.
  9. ^ "МИНИСТЕРСТВО ОБОРОНЫ АЗЕРБАЙДЖАНСКОЙ РЕСПУБЛИКИ". МИНИСТЕРСТВО ОБОРОНЫ АЗЕРБАЙДЖАНСКОЙ РЕСПУБЛИКИ (in Russian). Retrieved 2020-11-28.
  10. ^ "Морская диверсионно-разведывательная бригада ВМС Азербайджана «Тигры»". sof-mag.ru. Retrieved 2020-11-28.