Ministry of Defense (Azerbaijan)

The Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan (Azərbaycan Respublikasının Müdafiə Nazirliyi) is the Azerbaijani government ministry, associated with the Azerbaijani military. The ministry is responsible for keeping Azerbaijan defended against external threats, preserving its territorial integrity, waging war on behalf of Azerbaijan (for example the current Azerbaijani contribution to the War on Terror in Afghanistan and Iraq), and the surveillance of the Azerbaijani sector of Caspian Sea sea and airspace. The Minister of Defense is appointed and removed from the post by the Commander-in-chief of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces, President of Azerbaijan.

The current Defense Minister is Safar Abiyev.

History
In the midst of dissolution of Soviet Union and political turmoil in Azerbaijan in late 1980s, Azerbaijani military played an important role in the struggle for and retaining power.

Heads of Military Department of Azerbaijan SSR
People's Commissars for Military and Naval Affairs of Azerbaijan SSR

(the list is incomplete)