MILITARY STRENGTH OF UZBEKISTAN
MILITARY STRENGTH OF UZBEKISTAN
Bunyod Shakirov
Master degree, Leading Specialist - Development Strategy Center,
Uzbekistan, Tashkent
ВОЕННАЯ МОЩЬ УЗБЕКИСТАНА
Бунёд Шакиров Жамшидович
магистр, Ведущий специалист, Центр «Стратегия развития»,
Рспублика Узбекистан, г. Ташкент
ABSTRACT
According to “Global fire power” Uzbekistan ranks 51st and this article shows why it stands so high. Moreover, the article shows the combat power and potential of Uzbekistan in the military sphere. What kind of weapons country have, with whom it cooperates and how Uzbekistan is developing.
АННОТАЦИЯ
Узбекистан занимает 51 строчку по версии “Global fire power” и данная статья показывает почему она стоит так высоко. Также, статья показывает боевую мощь и потенциал Узбекистана в военной сфере. Какими оружием обладает страна, с кем сотрудничает и как развивается Узбекистан в 2021 году.
Keywords: Uzbekistan, strategy, weapons, military equipment, anti-terrorism, globalization, politics, Central Asia.
Ключевые слова: Узбекистан, стратегия, оружие, военная техника, антитерроризм, глобализация, политика, Центральная Азия.
According to “Global fire power”, Uzbekistan is the most powerful country in Central Asia and standing 51 place out of 140 countries in 2021. Among the Post-Soviet countries 4th place, stand behind Russia, Ukraine and Belarus. Most of the weapons are from Soviet times. However, in 2017 changes began after the arrival of the new president, Shavkat Mirziyoyev. Full-scale reforms began not only in the military sphere, but also in the economic and social spheres, and in the modernization of weapons. Therefore, in 2016 Uzbekistan signed military-technical cooperation with Russia and a program of strategic cooperation in the military sphere for 2021-2025. But, this does not mean that Uzbekistan will cooperate only with Russia. In February 2013, the US Department of State received congressional approval to resume the supply of weapons and military equipment to the countries of Central Asia. Later, negotiations began between Washington and Tashkent on the transfer of military equipment to Uzbekistan and the United States. Delivered 328 armored vehicles to Uzbekistan by US.
In fact, the armored vehicles were donated to Uzbekistan, country paid only for the delivery. After the withdrawal of the US troops from Afghanistan, the situation is not stable and the issue of the army's combat capability has become very urgent. There were many attempts from the Afghan side to cross the border illegally to Uzbekistan. Fortunately, the Uzbek army showed its professionalism and prevented illegal actions.
In the modern world, military technology decides a lot, and those countries that have modern technology have an advantage. Uzbekistan, in turn, is modernizing its military-technical components. Therefore, in 2021 Uzbekistan has 420 T64B1, T72B and T62 tanks. Despite the fact that these tanks are the heirs of the USSR, Uzbekistan is successfully modernizing its tanks. It should be noted especially the country's armored vehicles. As previously mentioned, Uzbekistan has American armored vehicles, but these vehicles are already very old and in 2019, Uzbekistan bought Russian Typhoon armored cars in exchange for those donated by the United States. Nevertheless, in 2021 Uzbekistan began mass production of lightly armored vehicles “Tarlon” and “Qalqon” of domestic design, which will replace all foreign armored vehicles in the future. According to the State Committee for Defense Industry, a car made from scratch based on the design documentation of industry specialists has successfully passed practical tests organized by representatives of law enforcement agencies and involved government agencies.
Uzbekistan also has a BM-21 Grad multiple launch rocket system, developed in 1963-1970 based on the URAL-375 automobile chassis. According to Oboronprom, BM-21 "Grad" has been modernized by replacing the chassis of a modern automobile chassis of the KAMAZ 43118 brand and brought up to the level of BM-21 "Buron".
Figure 1. Lightly armored vehicles “Qalqon
Nowadays, practical air superiority ensures victory. Therefore, a modern army must have modern combat aircraft and countermeasures. The total number of aircrafts in Uzbekistan for 2021 compose 194 units. There are such types as, Su-30SM attack aircraft, MiG-29 fighters and Mi-35M helicopters. In addition, there is also an Il-76, An-26 and An-12 transport aircraft.
The air defense of Uzbekistan is in an average normal state, taking into account that the country has C-200 and Chinese HQ-9. Naturally, these air defenses are a little outdated and it would be nice to buy the latest anti-aircraft systems, but fortunately, the Buk-M2E anti-aircraft missile system saves the situation.
The total military personnel of Uzbekistan is 70,000, and 50,000 of them are ready for battle. In addition, there are Special Forces and various joint international exercises. After the election of the new president, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, in 2019, a large-scale joint military exercise was held at the Camp Shelby military base in Mississippi (USA). The exercise provides an opportunity for all branches of the armed forces, including guards, reserve forces, and regular troops to practically maintain combat readiness and interaction between US forces and key allies. Many military exercises are being conducted with Russian service members. Especially, in 2021 after the arrival of the Taliban in Afghanistan. Joint exercises between Russia and Uzbekistan are held mainly at the Termez training ground. Their goal is to practice repelling possible threats and practical interaction to ensure security and maintain stability in the Central Asian region. Should be remembered that there is a lot of danger coming from Afghanistan. So, in August 2021, 22 military aircraft and 24 helicopters of the Afghan Air Force were forcibly landed in the city of Termez. During the illegal invasion, one Afghan attack aircraft and the MiG-29 of the Uzbekistan Air Force collided, fortunately, no one was hurt, and the pilots managed to eject. In addition, there is other example. At the end of November 2021, drug traffickers wanted to carry drugs across the border, border guards noticed and wanted to peacefully stop them, but drug traffickers began to show resistance and opened fire. The commander-in-chief and President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev gave the command to return fire on the positions of drug traffickers and stopped illegal border crossings of Uzbekistan. During the conflict, one captain from Namangan gave his life for homeland.
In 2019, according to the Global Terrorism index, Uzbekistan took 35th place and remained one of the safest countries in the world. Uzbekistan remains one of the safest countries because the country does not participate in international hostilities and focused only on the security of its border. It should also be noted that Uzbekistan is a member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization for stability not only in Uzbekistan, but also in in Central Asia. Then the first president of Uzbekistan, Islam Karimov, took the initiative to join Pakistan in the SCO. Pakistan's accession has changed the balance of power in the region, since Pakistan has nuclear weapons. For Uzbekistan, a huge plus is cooperation with Pakistan and access to the sea.
Uzbekistan mainly imports weapons from Russia and China. Also, major suppliers are France and the United States. Nevertheless, Russia remains (and will remain for the foreseeable future) the main partner of Uzbekistan in the field of security and defense, given the alliance agreement of 2005 and the close military ties between the two countries. According to Global Fire Power, Uzbekistan ranked 18th in terms of consumption in 2021 and the budget was $ 15 billion, overtaking countries such as Iran, Spain, Poland, Pakistan and other large countries. This is a very big indicator that Uzbekistan is modernizing its weapons and in the next 5-6 years, they will completely get rid of obsolete Soviet weapons.
References:
- Military-strength. (2021). Получено из globalfirepower: https://www.globalfirepower.com/country-military-strength-detail.php?country_id=uzbekistan
- Вооружения. (2021). Получено из Oboronprom: https://oboronprom.uz/catalog/1/11/bm21/