Establishing strong and modern Armed Forces which is one of the attributes of an independent state, places exceptional importance on the military science and education system. Military science and education play a crucial role not only in ensuring the security and defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan but also in providing a systematic acquisition of knowledge, skills, and qualifications through continuous training and education processes at various stages.

The military education system, which prepares professional personnel, has an exceptional role in creating a powerful army that aligns with the innovations of modern technology.

During the Soviet era, Azerbaijan had one military technical school (Military Lyceum named after Jamshid Nakhchivanski) and two military schools (Baku Higher Military School of Commanders and Baku Higher Naval School). Also, a contingent of Azerbaijani officers was formed in military schools located in various cities of the Soviet Union.
              
The reformation of the military schools operating in Azerbaijan has been started since the first years of our independence, intending to train professional military personnel, schools have been opened to meet the need for military aviation personnel, military paramedics and ensigns in the units of the Armed Forces.
    
The peak of the work done in the field of increasing the bank of professional national officers was the decree issued on the establishment of the Military Academy of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Thus, for the Armed Forces of the Republic of Azerbaijan, training of commanders and staff officers with higher military education, military scientific workers, increasing their qualifications, conducting scientific research in the field of military work, providing high-ranking officials working in state bodies with military strategic, military-economic and military training related to the defense of the republic - in order to ensure the education of political issues, on February 20, 1999, the great leader Heydar Aliyev signed a decree on the establishment of the Military Academy of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The pinnacle of efforts in enhancing the professional national officer corps was the decree issued on the establishment of the Military Academy of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Therefore, on February 20, 1999, National Leader Heydar Aliyev signed a decree on the establishment of the Military Academy of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Azerbaijan with a view to providing training for military commanders and staff officers with higher military education, and military scientists, increasing their qualifications, conduct research in military science, and ensuring the defense of the republic and providing education in military strategy, military-economic, and military-political issues for high-ranking officials working in state bodies.
 
The formation of the Military Academy of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Azerbaijan, aimed at training high-level tactical and operational-minded national officers, marked a completely new stage of military education for our country. Since its establishment, the Military Academy has been committed to training national cadres loyal to the national interests of our country and capable of carrying the strategic burden of the army on their shoulders during the defense of our state. This includes enhancing the skills of individuals working in various government agencies. 

In 1999, on July 30th, the Azerbaijan Military Academy held its first graduation ceremony. Thirty graduates completed their studies at the academy and were commissioned into various departments and institutions of the Armed Forces. On the same day, the academy's "Strategic Research and State Defense Management" courses, established under the academy, also had their inaugural graduation, with thirteen graduates completing the first academic year. 
      
The Military Academy excels in preparing highly educated military officer cadres with a focus on military theory and practical skills, possessing intellectual thinking. These officers are trained to serve in command, staff positions, and other posts at the operational-strategic and operational-tactical levels within the military administration of the Armed Forces.

During the Second Karabakh War, which started on September 27, 2020, the Military Academy's officer-ensign corps actively participated in the combat operations. Four military personnel sustained various injuries and were awarded the title of War Veteran. More than 53 military personnel of the Military Academy were awarded with orders and medals for their bravery. 

Significant steps were taken in the formation of the Army to enhance the experience, knowledge, and skills gained by the victorious Azerbaijani Army after the 44-day Patriotic War. Thus, according to the Decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, dated March 5, 2022, No. 1626, the Military Administration Institute was established on the basis of the War College of the Armed Forces and transferred to the subordination of the National Defense University to improve the activities of the network of special educational institutions.

The main activities of the National Defense University are educational, teaching and educational, methodical, scientific research, and editorial-and-publishing works. Currently, the training of military and civilian personnel of various categories for the Azerbaijan Army is carried out in educational institutions of the National Defense University (Military Research Institute, Military Administration Institute, Training and Educational Center of the Azerbaijan Army, Military Institute named after Heydar Aliyev and the Military Medical Faculty of the Azerbaijan Medical University).
    
In the current stage of the development of the Azerbaijani Army, the efforts in military science and education have been directed towards ensuring high combat readiness in the armed forces, developing the professional competence of officers, ensigns, warrant officers and military personnel serving beyond the regular period. This approach aims to foster boundless loyalty to the homeland, the nation, and the President, as well as the continuous improvement of professional skills, all undertaken with a sense of high responsibility for the assigned tasks. 
   

Recommended literature:

1. Süleymanov, Mehman Sirac oğlu. Azərbaycan ordusunun tarixi / M. S. Süleymanov ; Azərbaycan Respublikası Silahlı Qüvvələrinin Hərbi Akademiyası. V cild : 1991-2017 / elmi red.: Ə. Qasımov, Q. Hacıyev. - Bakı : Maarif, 2019. - 784 s.
2. Piriyev, Heydər. Heydər Əliyev irsində hərb tarixi və ordu quruculuğu məsələləri / H. Piriyev, M. S. Süleymanov ; elmi red. E. Həşimov ; Azərbaycan Respublikası Müdafiə Nazirliyi, Silahlı Qüvvələrin Hərbi Akademiyası. - Bakı : Hərbi Nəşriyyat, 2021. - 312 s.
3. Piriyev, Heydər. Hərb məharəti tarixi : dərs vəsaiti / H. Piriyev, Y. Aydəmirov, M. S. Süleymanov ; elmi red. S. Əhmədov ; Azərbaycan Respublikası Silahlı Qüvvələrinin Hərbi Akademiyası. - Bakı : Maarif, 2020. - 576 s.
4. Piriyev, Heydər. İkinci Qarabağ müharibəsi : hərbi-siyasi təhlil / H. Piriyev, R. Tahirov, X. İskəndərov ; elmi red. E. Q. Həşimov ; red. A. A. Mirzəliyeva ; Silahlı Qüvvələrin Hərbi Akademiyası. - Bakı : Hərbi Nəşriyyat, 2022. - 168 s.