The rank of general is considered one of the highest ranks for a military officer or a state official with a special rank. Usually, it is possible to rise to this high rank after many years of service, combat experience, and leadership experience. However, in our military history, there are also individuals who were selected at a young age and awarded the rank of general.
On the occasion of June 26 - Armed Forces Day, Modern.az presents the youngest generals of Azerbaijan.
Customs officer who became a major general at 34 - Fuad Mammadov
Fuad Mammadov, Deputy Chairman of the State Customs Committee, is one of the youngest individuals in Azerbaijan to receive the highest special rank of major general.
Born in 1992, Fuad Mammadov received his bachelor's and master's degrees in customs affairs at Baku State University, and then completed his doctorate in world economy. After military service, he started working in customs bodies in 2015 and quickly rose through various positions from inspector to head of department in a short period.
He taught at the Academy of the State Customs Committee and Azerbaijan State University of Economics, and also represented the Committee in Azerbaijan's negotiations for membership in the World Trade Organization. Appointed as customs attaché at the World Customs Organization in Belgium in 2024, Fuad Mammadov was appointed Deputy Chairman of the State Customs Committee in March 2025.
By order of President Ilham Aliyev, he was awarded the highest special rank of major general on January 29, 2026. At that time, he was 34 years old.
Hero of the Patriotic War and General at 35 - Babek Alakbarov
Babek Alakbarov, commander of the Rapid Reaction Force of the State Border Service, is also among the youngest generals of Azerbaijan.
Born in 1987, Babek Alakbarov graduated from the Jamshid Nakhchivanski Military Lyceum and the Border Troops Faculty of the Heydar Aliyev Academy. The officer, who started his service as a lieutenant, distinguished himself in the operations carried out in the Arazboyu direction during the 44-day Patriotic War.
It was Babek Alakbarov who reported to the Supreme Commander-in-Chief about the liberation of the Khudaferin bridge. Alakbarov, who was awarded the title of "Hero of the Patriotic War" for his bravery, was given the military rank of major general on August 17, 2023. He was 35 years old at that time.
34-year-old general of independent Azerbaijan - Elchin Guliyev
Elchin Guliyev, head of the State Border Service, is also one of the military officers who received the rank of major general at a very young age.
Born in 1967, Elchin Guliyev was appointed Deputy Minister of National Security - Commander of the Border Troops in March 2001. Just four months later - on August 15, 2001 - he was awarded the military rank of major general by presidential decree.
At that time, he was 34 years old. A year later, he was appointed head of the newly established State Border Service - Commander of the Border Troops.
34-year-old Azerbaijani general in the Soviet army - Hazi Aslanov
One of the first people in Azerbaijani military history to rise to the rank of general at a young age was Hazi Aslanov, the legendary commander of the Second World War.
Born in 1910, Hazi Aslanov began his military service in 1931 and quickly became one of the professional tank commanders. For his unparalleled heroism in the battles against Germany, he was given the rank of major general of tank troops on March 13, 1944.
Hazi Aslanov was also only 34 years old when he rose to this high rank. He is still considered one of the youngest generals from Azerbaijan during the Soviet era.
