BAKU, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Azerbaijan's naval forces launched tactical exercises in the Caspian Sea, the country's Ministry of Defense said on Monday.
The three-stage drills involved more than 20 ships, two helicopters and up to 700 military personnel, according to the ministry.
The naval forces will practice protecting energy infrastructure in the operational zone in the Caspian Sea, and conduct combat operations involving tactical ship groups.
Azerbaijan's military spending was set at nearly 2.3 billion U.S. dollars in the 2020 state budget, which is 20.9 percent more than last year.
