Turkish and Azerbaijani air forces launched joint flight and tactical exercises Monday, the Azerbaijani defense ministry said.

The annual air drills, dubbed "TurAz Kartalı-2017" (TurAz Eagle-2017), will last 12 days until September 30.

"The exercises involve up to 30 aircraft of the air forces of Azerbaijan and Turkey, including MiG-29, F-16, Su-25, C-130 Hercules, CASA CN-235 planes, as well as Mi-35, Mi-17 and Sikorsky S-70 helicopters," the defense ministry's statement said.

The exercises will focus on improving coordination and joint action between the two air forces as well as incorporating a target practice component for fighter jets and helicopters.

In June, Turkish and Azerbaijani armed forces conducted the latest joint military exercises in Nakhichevan, an exclave of Azerbaijan, as part of the efforts between the two nations to bolster cooperation in every area, including defense.

Meanwhile, Turkey also launched an unannounced military drill near the border with Iraq, just a week before the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) will hold a controversial independence referendum, the military said in a statement Monday.