On June 25, 2026, an event was held in Sheki Regional Scientific Center of ANAS on the occasion of June 26 - Armed Forces Day. Opening the event, the director of Sheki RSC, Doctor of Philosophy, docent Kamil Adishirinov, greeted the participants and spoke about the importance of the event. He especially emphasized the exceptional services of the National Leader Heydar Aliyev in the modern history of statehood of the Republic of Azerbaijan. He noted that as a result of the far-sighted policy of the Great Leader Heydar Aliyev, the state-building processes in Azerbaijan were built on a solid foundation, and significant achievements were achieved in the direction of army building and ensuring national security, and gave the floor to the head of the Department of History and Epigraphy, PhD in history Rahim Hasanov.

Rahim Hasanov spoke extensively about the process of forming the national army during the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic. He brought to attention the important measures taken by his government in the field of army building in 1918-1920, the steps taken towards the creation of national military units, the transformation of volunteer groups into a regular army, and the training of professional military personnel.

He noted that despite its short existence, during the period of the ARF, important basic principles were formed in the field of national army building, and significant steps were taken towards strengthening the traditions of statehood. Rahim Hasanov noted that the military structure and management experience created during that period laid the foundation for the development of statehood and the military system of Azerbaijan in subsequent years.

He also brought to attention that the strengthening of the modern Azerbaijani Army can be assessed as a continuation of those historical foundations. He emphasized that today, the transformation of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces into one of the strongest armies in the region is the result of the consistent and purposeful state policy implemented by the National Leader Heydar Aliyev and the Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev in the field of army building.

Then, Elchin Valiyev, a research fellow at the department of History and epigraphy, spoke about the targeted reforms implemented in the field of army building in the modern Republic of Azerbaijan. He drew attention to the important steps taken during the years of independence to strengthen the material and technical base of the Armed Forces, improve the training of professional military personnel, and increase the combat capability of the army.

He noted that the strategic line set by the National Leader Heydar Aliyev in the field of army building has been successfully continued by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, and that as a result of this policy, the Azerbaijani Army has become one of the strongest armies in the region. The historical Victory achieved in the Patriotic War is a vivid example of this strength and professionalism.

Elchin Valiyev also said that modern army building is not limited only to increasing military potential, but is also of great importance in terms of raising the spirit of patriotism and strengthening the military-patriotic education of the younger generation.