View source for Armed Forces of the Republic of Uzbekistan

{{Short description|Combined military forces of the Uzbekistan}}
{{use dmy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox national military
| country={{flag|Uzbekistan}}
| name=Armed Forces of the Republic of Uzbekistan
| native_name={{lang|uz|Ўзбекистон Республикаси Қуролли Кучлари}}
| image=File:Flag of the Ministry of defence of Uzbekistan.jpg
| caption=Flag of the Ministry of defence of Uzbekistan
| image2 =
| caption2 =
| founded={{Start date and years ago|df=yes|1992|01|14}}
| current_form=
| branches= {{army|Uzbekistan}} <br /> {{Flagicon image|Uz Air Force.png|border=|size=25px}} [[Uzbekistan Air and Air Defence Forces|Uzbek Air and Air Defence Forces]]<br />{{Flagicon image|Naval flag of Uzbekistan.svg|border=|size=25px}} [[Uzbek River Force]]<br/> [[Uzbekistan National Guard|National Guard]]<br /> [[Border Troops of the State Security Service (Uzbekistan)|Border Troops]]<br />
| headquarters=  Mirzo Ulugbek Avenue, [[Tashkent]], [[Uzbekistan]]
<!-- Leadership -->
| commander-in-chief=[[File:Flag of the President of Uzbekistan.svg|23px]] [[Shavkat Mirziyoyev]]
| commander-in-chief_title=[[President of Uzbekistan]]
| chief minister = [[File:Flag of the Ministry of defence of Uzbekistan.jpg|23px]] Lieutenant General [[Bakhodir Kurbanov (general)|Bakhodir Kurbanov]]
| chief minister_title= [[Ministry of Defense (Uzbekistan)|Minister of Defense]]
| commander=[[File:Uzbekistan Armed Forces (Latin script).svg|23px]] Major General [[Shukhrat Kholmukhamedov]]
| commander_title=[[Chief of the General Staff (Uzbekistan)|Chief of the General Staff]]
<!-- Manpower -->
| age=
| conscription=18 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 12 months
| manpower_data=2005 est.
| manpower_age=18-49
| available=6,340,220
| available_f=6,432,072
| fit=4,609,621
| fit_f=5,383,233
| reaching=324,722
| reaching_f=317,062
| active=70,000 (2024){{sfn|IISS|2019|p=217}}<br />20,000 paramilitary (2018){{sfn|IISS|2019|p=217}}
| ranked=
| reserve=
| deployed=
<!-- Financial -->
| amount=
| percent_GDP=2% (2005 est.) Another reported figure is 3.7%
<!-- Industrial -->
| domestic_suppliers=
| foreign_suppliers={{RUS}}<br />{{USA}}<br />{{CHN}}<br />{{KAZ}}<br />{{TUR}}<br />{{BLR}}<br />{{ISR}}<br />{{INA}}<br />{{KOR}}<br />{{FRA}}<br />{{GER}}<br />{{CZE}}<br />{{UK}}<br />{{IND}}<br />{{IRN}}<br />{{PAK}}<br />{{UAE}}<br />{{POL}}<br />{{JPN}}<br />''{{AZE}}''<br />''{{UKR}}''
| imports=
| exports=
<!-- Related aricles -->
| history=
| ranks=[[Military ranks of Uzbekistan|Rank insignia]]
}}
The '''Armed Forces of the Republic of Uzbekistan''' ({{langx|uz| O'zbekiston Respublikasi Qurolli Kuchlari, Ўзбекистон Республикаси Қуролли Кучлари}}), is the name of the unified armed forces of [[Uzbekistan]], consisting of the [[Uzbekistan Ground Forces|Ground Force]] and the [[Uzbekistan Air and Air Defence Forces|Air and Air Defence forces]] under the defence ministry. Paramilitary units include the [[Uzbekistan National Guard|National Guard]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/centralasia/uzbek-army.htm|title=Uzbekistan- Army|author=John Pike|access-date=23 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141019000830/http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/centralasia/uzbek-army.htm|archive-date=19 October 2014|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> a [[Uzbekistan Frontier Service|Frontier Service]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/uzbekistan/|title=The World Factbook|access-date=23 October 2014|df=dmy-all|archive-date=3 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210203042919/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/uzbekistan/|url-status=live}}</ref> and a [[Uzbekistan Naval Forces|River Force]]. It is reported to be the largest and the strongest in [[Central Asia]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.today.az/news/politics/55062.html|title=Today.Az » Politics » Uzbekistan would prefer to be policeman of Central Asia: expert|access-date=23 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141107211026/http://www.today.az/news/politics/55062.html|archive-date=7 November 2014|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
'The country has also began professionalizing its military, an effort that has only limited success and erratic government support. But even in Uzbekistan, these changes represent merely a modest beginning and most of the benefits are concentrated in a few elite, higher readiness formations rather than uniformly applied to the entire force. The Uzbek military is woefully inadequate, but it is far superior to its neighbours.'<ref>McDermott, JSMS, 2002, p.30</ref>
== History ==
=== Pre-history ===
[[File:Stamps of Uzbekistan, 2010-59.jpg|thumb|An Uzbek [[Red Army]] soldier after returning from the [[Eastern Front (World War Two)|Eastern Front]], 1945|left]]
[[Tashkent]], the capital of Uzbekistan, used to be the headquarters of the [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] [[Turkestan Military District]] and on 20 February 1992, the new Ministry of Defence took over the offices which had been formerly occupied by the district headquarters staff.<ref>Richard Woff, 'Independence and the Uzbek Armed Forces,' Jane's Intelligence Review, December 1993, p.567</ref> The [[Uzbek SSR]] had the strongest Soviet military presence of the other [[Central Asian Republics]], controlling its own and operating its own domestic Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) independent of the [[Ministry of Internal Affairs]] of the [[Soviet Union]].
=== Establishment of armed forces and military institutions ===
On 2 July 1992 a Presidential Decree established a Ministry of Defence to supersede the Ministry of Defence Affairs. Over the succeeding years, Uzbekistan replaced [[Russians|Russian]] officers with ethnic Uzbeks and restructured the military to focus on targets like civil unrest, [[drug trafficking]], and [[Hizb-ut-Tahrir]].{{Citation needed|date=January 2008}} The three major Soviet military academies, the [[Tashkent Higher All-Arms Command School]], the [[Chirchiq Higher Tank Command and Engineering School]], and the [[Samarkand Higher Military Automobile Command School]], were located in Uzbekistan. This caused the government to not send Uzbek officers to Russia for training. In 1994, they established the joint Armed Forces Academy, to train officers of all branches. Though the Uzbek language was becoming more in use by the army, [[Russian language|Russian]] remained the main language used in training officers, due to the fact that most manuals were in Russian. But today Uzbek language is used in all spheres of defense system as it is an only state language in Uzbekistan<ref>{{Cite web|title=Кардинальная военная реформа в Узбекистане / СНГ / Независимая газета|url=https://www.ng.ru/cis/2000-10-06/5_reform.html|access-date=2021-06-07|website=www.ng.ru|archive-date=2021-10-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211021210338/https://www.ng.ru/cis/2000-10-06/5_reform.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
=== Development ===
In October 1993, by the decree, the 2nd Mobile Army Corps was formed on the basis of the [[105th Guards Vienna Airborne Division]], and the 1st Army Corps was established on the basis of the former 59th Army Corps. In January 1994, the 108th Motorized Rifle Division was disbanded, and its military units were incorporated into the 1st Army Corps.<ref>{{Cite web|last=tvzvezda.ru|first=Редакция|date=2017-02-15|title=Афганский "нож сокращения": что стало с военными частями после вывода войск из Афганистана|url=https://tvzvezda.ru/news/201702140914-kvrh.htm|access-date=2021-06-07|website=Телеканал «Звезда»|language=ru|archive-date=2021-06-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210607205510/https://tvzvezda.ru/news/201702140914-kvrh.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> Disbanded regiments were replaced by motorized infantry, mountain artillery, tank, and anti-aircraft artillery brigades. In April 1994, departments of defense were introduced in the regions of the republic, the [[Republic of Karakalpakstan]] and the city of Tashkent, and departments of defense in cities and districts.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-02-14|title=Qurolli Kuchlar tashkiliy-shtat tizimidagi o'zgarishlar|url=https://mudofaa.uz/uz/qurolli-kuchlari-tarixi/qurolli-kuchlar-tizimidagi-ozgarishlar/|access-date=2021-06-06|website=O`zbekiston Respublikasi Mudofaa vazirligi|archive-date=2021-06-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210606190147/https://mudofaa.uz/uz/qurolli-kuchlari-tarixi/qurolli-kuchlar-tizimidagi-ozgarishlar/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=MAVZU:9. O'zbekiston Respublikasi Quroli Kuchlarini tashkil topishi.|lang=uz|url=http://reja.tdpu.uz/shaxsiyreja/content/3352/html/65010/9_mavzu.htm|url-status=live|access-date=2021-06-06|archive-date=2021-06-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210606224538/http://reja.tdpu.uz/shaxsiyreja/content/3352/html/65010/9_mavzu.htm}}</ref>
Military reforms were implemented after the appointment of civilian [[Kadyr Gulyamov]] to the defence ministry. Soviet-style regimental structures, were replaced, with the basic fighting unit consisting of 14 soldiers. "Ranger" detachments based on the American model were also formed.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Civilian Takes Charges Of Uzbek Army|url=https://iwpr.net/global-voices/civilian-takes-charges-uzbek-army|access-date=2020-12-21|website=Institute for War and Peace Reporting|language=en|archive-date=2021-01-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126215002/https://iwpr.net/global-voices/civilian-takes-charges-uzbek-army|url-status=live}}</ref>
Since [[Shavkat Mirziyoyev]] came to power, the military has been involved in re-arming its military with modern equipment.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Uzbek armed forces renew nearly half of weapons in past four years - Xinhua {{!}} English.news.cn|url=http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2021-01/15/c_139670778.htm|access-date=2021-01-16|website=www.xinhuanet.com|archive-date=2021-01-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121065104/http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2021-01/15/c_139670778.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Activities and foreign relations===
From August to September 1997, Uzbekistan took part in the exercises of the Central Asian Battalion (CENTRASBAT) in [[Kazakhstan]] and [[Uzbekistan]]. as part of an eight nation joint exercise which include the [[United States]], [[Russia]] and [[Ukraine]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Centrasbat|url=https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops/centrasbat.htm|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180710225312/https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops/centrasbat.htm|archive-date=2018-07-10|access-date=2018-07-10}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=CENTRAZBAT '97 set to get underway|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1997/09/14/CENTRAZBAT-97-set-to-get-underway/2357874209600/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180710225246/https://www.upi.com/Archives/1997/09/14/CENTRAZBAT-97-set-to-get-underway/2357874209600/|archive-date=2018-07-10|access-date=2018-07-10}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Central Asia: Joint Military Exercise Deemed a Success|url=https://www.rferl.org/amp/1086503.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180710225303/https://www.rferl.org/amp/1086503.html|archive-date=2018-07-10|access-date=2018-07-10}}</ref> After the [[September 11, 2001 attacks]], the [[United States]] leased the [[Karshi-Khanabad]] airbase in southern Uzbekistan, which borders [[Afghanistan]]. The American base there was called "Camp Stronghold Freedom," yet was more often referred to as "K2 Airbase" by the personnel in theater.
In May 2005, the military was involved in suppressing unrest in the [[Ferghana Valley]] city of [[Andijan]], which became known as the [[2005 Andijan Unrest|Andijan massacre]]. Consequently, the EU banned arms sales and imposed a one-year visa ban on 12 senior officials, including the security chief and interior and defence ministers, accusing them of bearing responsibility for the killings.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/1295881.stm|title=BBC|work=BBC News|access-date=23 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090517074222/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/1295881.stm|archive-date=17 May 2009|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
In the aftermath of the incident, President Karimov dismissed several senior military figures: Defense Minister Gulyamov, Head of the Joint Headquarters of the Armed Forces Ismail Ergashev, and Commander of the Eastern Military District Kosimali Akhmedov. Burnashev and Chernykh said that '..although these dismissals did not change the formal system of administration in the security and military structures, they reflected serious shifts in power relations among regional elites representing their clans.'<ref>Rustam Burnashev and Irina Chernykh, [http://www.silkroadstudies.org/new/docs/CEF/Quarterly/February_2007/Burnashev_Chernykh.pdf Changes in Uzbekistan's Military Policy After the Andijan Events] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090326021014/http://www.silkroadstudies.org/new/docs/CEF/Quarterly/February_2007/Burnashev_Chernykh.pdf |date=2009-03-26 }}, China and Eurasia Forum Quarterly, Volume 5, No. 1 (2007), Central Asia-Caucasus Institute & Silk Road Studies Program, {{ISSN|1653-4212}}, p. 72</ref>
A joint statement of the member countries of the [[Shanghai Cooperation Organisation]] issued in early July 2005 on a conference in the Kazakh capital of [[Astana]] called for a withdrawal of US troops from military bases in Central Asia. On 29 July 2005, Uzbekistan invoked a provision asking the U.S. to leave within 180 days. On 21 November 2005, the withdrawal of US troops from Karshi-Khanabad and any other bases was completed.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-5429874,00.html |title=US Completes Withdrawal From Uzbek Base |website=[[TheGuardian.com]] |access-date=2016-12-17 |archive-date=2023-02-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202224610/https://www.theguardian.com/world |url-status=live }}</ref>
The European Union lifted the arms sales ban in 2009. Uzbekistan and Russia signed a mutual defence pact in 2005 for closer military cooperation. This marked a stark contrast to a few years earlier, when the US appeared to be Uzbekistan's favoured foreign friend, and relations with Russia were cooler.<ref>[[BBC]], [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/4467736.stm] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051130210622/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/4467736.stm|date=2005-11-30}}</ref>[[File:Ukbekistani troops.jpg|230px|right|thumb|Uzbek soldiers during the ''Exercise Cooperative Osprey '96'']]
[[File:Ceremonies marking the end of CENTRAZBAT '97.jpg|thumb|Ceremonies marking the end of ''CENTRAZBAT '97'' exercises in [[Chirchik]]. Notably, the Uzbek Latin alphabet can be observed here, as for example in O'zbekiston.]]
====Arms control and non-proliferation====
The government has accepted the arms control obligations of the former [[Soviet Union]], and acceded to the [[Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty]] as a non-nuclear state. It has also supported an active program by the [[U.S. Department of Defense]] [[Defense Threat Reduction Agency]] in western Uzbekistan ([[Nukus]] and the [[biological warfare]] test laboratory on [[Vozrozhdeniye Island]]).
==Land Forces==
{{main|Uzbekistan Ground Forces}}
The army includes five military districts. In 2001, the Tashkent garrison was transformed into the Tashkent Military District.<ref>Bakhtiyar Kamilov, [http://www.bmlv.gv.at/pdf_pool/publikationen/10_wg_ftc_30.pdf Formation of Conceptual Approaches to the Problems of Ensuring National Security in Central Asian States - Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090326021014/http://www.bmlv.gv.at/pdf_pool/publikationen/10_wg_ftc_30.pdf |date=2009-03-26 }}</ref> The headquarters of the military districts and their [[area of responsibility|areas of responsibility]] are as follows:<ref name="Vad777U">{{cite web |url=http://www8.brinkster.com/vad777/sng/uzbekistan.htm |title=Web Hosting, Free Web Site Builder & Domain Name, Web Hosting Made Easy by Brinkster |access-date=2007-09-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071018112845/http://brinkster.com/vad777/sng/uzbekistan.htm |archive-date=2007-10-18 }}, accessed late September 2007 and June 2010</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!District
!Headquarters Location
!Notes
|-
|'''[[Northwest Military District]]''' ||HQ [[Nukus]] ||[[Karakalpakstan]], [[Xorazm Province]]
|-
|'''[[Southwest Special Military District]]''' ||HQ [[Qarshi|Karshi]] ||[[Qashqadaryo Province]], [[Surxondaryo Province]], [[Bukhara Province]], [[Navoiy Province]]
|-
|'''[[Central Military District (Uzbekistan)|Central Military District]]'''  || HQ [[Dzhizak]] ||[[Jizzakh Province|Dzhizak Province]], [[Samarqand Province]], [[Sirdaryo Province]]
|-
|'''[[Eastern Military District (Uzbekistan)|Eastern Military District]]'''|| HQ [[Ferghana]] ||[[Fergana Province]], [[Andijan Province]], [[Namangan Province]]
|-
|'''[[Tashkent Military District]]''' || HQ Tashkent ||[[Tashkent Province]]
|-
|}
==Air Forces==
{{main|Uzbekistan Air and Air Defence Forces}}The Uzbek air forces consist of units formerly part of the 49th Air Army of the [[Turkestan Military District]] headquartered at [[Tashkent]]. There are two remaining combat units, brigades at [[Karshi-Khanabad]] and Dzhizak.<ref name=Vad777U />
The 60th Separate Brigade is the former 735th Bomber Aviation Regiment combined with the former 87th Separate Reconnaissance Aviation Regiment.<ref>For 735th Bomber Aviation Regiment, see Michael Holm, [http://www.ww2.dk/new/air%20force/regiment/bap/735bap.htm] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120318052309/http://www.ww2.dk/new/air%20force/regiment/bap/735bap.htm|date=2012-03-18}}, and for 87th Separate Reconnaissance Aviation Regiment, see [http://www.ww2.dk/new/air%20force/regiment/orap/87orap.htm] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120318052314/http://www.ww2.dk/new/air%20force/regiment/orap/87orap.htm|date=2012-03-18}}</ref> It has 31 Su-24s, 32 MiG-29s, and 6 Su-27s. Other recently disbanded units include the 61st Fighter Aviation Regiment at [[Kakaydy]], which was itself a merger with the previous 115th Fighter Aviation Regiment, and the 62nd Fighter Aviation Regiment at [[Andijan]]. Regiments at both bases were disbanded in 1999. As many as 26 stored Su-17s, apparently in very bad condition, remain at Chirchiq (see Google Earth 41°30'05.69"N 69°33'44.90"E)[[File:2005 - Su-24, Uzbekistan Air Force.JPEG|thumb|Uzbek Air Force maintenance personnel tow an Air Force Su-24 Fencer aircraft at Karshi-Khanabad Air Base.]]
== Other elements ==
=== Special units ===
Different special units in the armed forces include the following:
*Central Song and Dance Ensemble of the Armed Forces &ndash; Founded on 27 May 1992.<ref>{{Cite web|last=xizmati|first=Matbuot|date=2021-05-27|title=Центральному ансамблю песни и танца Вооруженных Сил 29 лет|url=https://mudofaa.uz/ru/46395/|access-date=2021-06-06|website=Министерство Обороны Республики Узбекистане|archive-date=2021-06-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210606000947/https://mudofaa.uz/ru/46395/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*[[Guard of honour|Honour Guard Battalion]]
*[[Band of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Uzbekistan|Band of the Ministry of Defence]]
*Band of the Ministry of the Interior
*Band of the National Guard
*Equestrian Squadron of the National Guard
=== Army Special Forces ===
* [[15th Independent Special Forces Brigade]]
* [[17th Air Assault Brigade]]<ref name="desantura.ru1">{{cite web|title=Узбекистан — Десантура.ру - о десанте без границ|url=http://desantura.ru/uz/|access-date=28 January 2019|website=desantura.ru|archive-date=27 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190127012852/http://desantura.ru/uz/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* Independent Special Purpose Battalion "Lynx"<ref name="desantura.ru1" /><ref>{{Cite web|title=Спецназ вооруженных сил Узбекистана|url=http://sof-mag.ru/spec_arms/uzbeki_vs.html|access-date=2020-12-23|website=sof-mag.ru|archive-date=2022-03-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220306204727/http://sof-mag.ru/spec_arms/uzbeki_vs.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Uzbekistan formed Special Forces Battalions which are trained and formed by American and other NATO experts, located in provinces which border troubled republics like Afghanistan and Tajikistan.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2013-08-18|title=Special Operations.Com - Uzbekistan|url=http://www.specialoperations.com/Foreign/Uzbekistan/|access-date=2021-06-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130818143527/http://www.specialoperations.com/Foreign/Uzbekistan/|archive-date=2013-08-18}}</ref> Units of the Special Operations Forces are based in the most important operational areas, including the mountainous areas of the Surkhandarya and Tashkent regions.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://regnum.ru/news/polit/1401553.html|title=В Узбекистане создана новая система управления национальной армией - министр обороны|access-date=2021-06-07|archive-date=2021-06-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210607003711/https://regnum.ru/news/polit/1401553.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Paramilitary and militarized forces===
{{See also|Ministry of Internal Affairs (Uzbekistan)}}
The following institutions are uniformed and have military affiliations but are not part of the Armed Forces:
*[[National Security Service (Uzbekistan)|National Security Service]] (SNB), the country's [[secret police]]
**[[Uzbekistan Frontier Service|Frontier Service]] (also called the Committee for State Border Protection of the [[National Security Service (Uzbekistan)|National Security Service]]), the [[border guard]] of Uzbekistan. They have gotten into disagreements with the [[Kyrgyzstan Frontier Force|Kyrgyz Frontier Force]] in the [[Batken Region]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.trend.az/regions/casia/kyrgyzstan/1916343.html|title=Uzbekistan's Frontier Service: Kyrgyzstan aggravates situation in Sokh enclave|date=10 August 2011|work=Trend|access-date=23 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029204735/http://en.trend.az/regions/casia/kyrgyzstan/1916343.html|archive-date=29 October 2013|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The Frontier Service also operates the riverine naval assets of Uzbekistan, which include [[Gurza-class boat|two Gyurza class gunboats]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/news/defence-news/year-2014-news/december-2014-navy-naval-forces-maritime-industry-technology-security-global-news/2293-ukraine-resumed-construction-of-gyurza-m-project-58155-river-armored-artillery-boats.html |title=Ukraine Resumed Construction of Gyurza-M (Project 58155) River Armored Artillery Boats |date=29 December 2014 |access-date=2017-03-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170307052432/http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/news/defence-news/year-2014-news/december-2014-navy-naval-forces-maritime-industry-technology-security-global-news/2293-ukraine-resumed-construction-of-gyurza-m-project-58155-river-armored-artillery-boats.html |archive-date=2017-03-07 |url-status=live }}</ref>
*[[Ministry of Internal Affairs (Uzbekistan)|Internal Troops]], they are commonly used against Islamic terrorists in the border regions near [[Tajikistan]] and [[Kyrgyzstan]]. It maintains several [[Spetsnaz]] battalions:<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.specialoperations.com/Foreign/Uzbekistan/ |title=Special Operations.Com - Uzbekistan |access-date=2013-10-04 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130818143527/http://www.specialoperations.com/Foreign/Uzbekistan/ |archive-date=2013-08-18 }}</ref>
**Scorpion Group
**Bars
*[[Uzbekistan National Guard]] also serves as a specialized elite force.
== Military industry ==
In November 2017, at the initiative of President Mirziyoyev, the '''State Committee for Defense Industry''' ({{Langx|uz|Mudofaa sanoati davlat qo'mitasi}}) was created, serving as an authorized body of state administration responsible for the implementation of state defense orders and defense production organization.<ref>{{Cite web|title=In Uzbekistan was created the State Committee for the Defense Industry – Kaspex|date=24 May 2018 |url=https://kaspex.kz/en/in-uzbekistan-was-created-the-state-committee-for-the-defense-industry/|access-date=2021-06-07|language=en-US|archive-date=2021-06-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210607201534/https://kaspex.kz/en/in-uzbekistan-was-created-the-state-committee-for-the-defense-industry/|url-status=live}}</ref> Abbreviated by the Russian term of '''Goskomoboronprom''', it has developed the country's industrial potential in the field of production of military and dual-use products. Under the committee, a joint Uzbek-Turkish enterprise for the production of military uniforms was created.<ref>{{Cite web|title=History {{!}} State Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan for defense industry|url=https://www.oboronprom.uz/eng/history/|access-date=2021-06-07|website=www.oboronprom.uz|archive-date=2021-05-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210508141717/https://www.oboronprom.uz/eng/history/|url-status=live}}</ref>
The following enterprises serve under the committee:
* State Unitary Enterprise Vostok
* State Enterprise CHARZ
* Center for Innovative Technologies
* TexMash
* RemTex
* KRANTAS
In 2020, the first Uzbek light armored personnel carrier began the process of development. The APCs, known as the Tarlon and Qalqon light armored vehicles, was designed and manufactured at the enterprises of the military-industrial complex. It designed for the protection and tracking of convoys, sanitary transportation, engineering, radiation, chemical and biological reconnaissance and fire support.<ref>{{Cite web|last=uz|first=Kun|title=Photos of first Uzbek light armored personnel carrier published|url=https://kun.uz/en/news/2021/05/20/photos-of-first-uzbek-light-armored-personnel-carrier-published|access-date=2021-06-07|website=Kun.uz|language=en|archive-date=2021-06-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210607201534/https://kun.uz/en/news/2021/05/20/photos-of-first-uzbek-light-armored-personnel-carrier-published|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=akbaryusupov|title=Uzbekistan produces prototype of its own light armored vehicle|url=https://tashkenttimes.uz/national/5542-uzbekistan-produces-prototype-of-its-own-light-armored-vehicle|access-date=2021-06-07|website=tashkenttimes.uz|archive-date=2021-06-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210607201534/https://tashkenttimes.uz/national/5542-uzbekistan-produces-prototype-of-its-own-light-armored-vehicle|url-status=live}}</ref>
== Military education ==
[[File:Visit of the Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation 16.jpg|thumb|[[Sergey Shoigu]] at the academy of the armed forces in 2018]]
=== Higher education ===
* Under the Defence Ministry<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://kun.uz/36762707|title=Олий ҳарбий таълим муассасаларида битирувчиларни кузатишга бағишланган тантанали маросимлар бўлиб ўтди|access-date=2020-09-13|archive-date=2021-05-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210515202337/https://kun.uz/36762707|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mg.uz/print/publish/doc/text62868_ya_b_v_voennye_poshel_vysshee_voennoe_obrazovanie_v_uzbekistane|title=Я б в военные пошел: высшее военное образование в Узбекистане (Версия для печати) &#124; mg.uz|access-date=2020-09-14|archive-date=2022-09-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922193923/https://mg.uz/print/publish/doc/text62868_ya_b_v_voennye_poshel_vysshee_voennoe_obrazovanie_v_uzbekistane|url-status=live}}</ref>
** Combined Arms
*** [[Academy of the Armed Forces of Uzbekistan]] (formerly the [[Tashkent Higher All-Arms Command School]])
*** [[Military Institute of Information and Communication Technologies and Communications]]
***[[Military Medical Academy of the Armed Forces of Uzbekistan|Military Medical Academy]]<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-10-26|title=Создается Военно-медицинская академия Вооруженных Сил|url=https://www.gazeta.uz/ru/2020/10/26/military-academy/|access-date=2021-05-15|website=Газета.uz|language=ru-UZ|archive-date=2021-05-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210515225520/https://www.gazeta.uz/ru/2020/10/26/military-academy/|url-status=live}}</ref> (the former Military Medical Faculty of the [[Tashkent Medical Academy]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Almanac: Uzbekistan, Republic of • Military Medicine Worldwide|url=https://military-medicine.com/almanac/133-uzbekistan-republic-of.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306044603/https://military-medicine.com/almanac/133-uzbekistan-republic-of.html|archive-date=2019-03-06|access-date=2019-03-05}}</ref>)
** Ground forces
*** [[Chirchiq Higher Tank Command and Engineering School]]
*** [[Samarkand Higher Military Automobile Command School]]
*** [[Jizzakh Higher Military Technological University]]
** Air Force
***[[Jizzakh Higher Military Aviation School|Higher Military Aviation School]]
* Under Paramilitary services
**[[Higher Military Customs Institute (Tashkent)|Higher Military Customs Institute]]
** [[Academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Uzbekistan]]
** [[Military-Technical Institute of the National Guard of Uzbekistan]]
**Institute of Civil Defense of the Ministry of Emergency Affairs
=== NCO training ===
In January 2001, Sergeant Training Schools were established in the Tashkent, Central, South-West and Eastern military districts.<ref>http://mudofaa.uz/kr/qurolli-kuchlar-tarixi/uzbekiston-armiyasining-solnomasi/33752/ {{Dead link|date=February 2022}}</ref> In 2007, a fifth sergeant training school was opened in the Northwest Military District. The curriculum of the Sergeant Training School provides servicemen with basic instruction in managing tactical units, professional command skills related to military specialization, accurate situational assessments and decision-making, and methods of organizing the use of weapons and military equipment. The training program is aimed at developing the leadership qualities of sergeants and maintaining healthy morale and military skills in military units.<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://mudofaa.uz/uz/qurolli-kuchlari-tarixi/qurolli-kuchlarning-tarkibi-va-vazifalari/|title = Qurolli Kuchlarning tarkibi va vazifalari|date = 14 February 2018|access-date = 6 June 2021|archive-date = 6 June 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210606193532/https://mudofaa.uz/uz/qurolli-kuchlari-tarixi/qurolli-kuchlarning-tarkibi-va-vazifalari/|url-status = dead}}</ref>
Officers of the military, national police, special forces, and Ministry of Internal Affairs attend courses at the Joint Service Officer Training Academy in the capital.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sldinfo.com/2012/11/uzbekistans-military-reform-and-partner-potential/|title=Uzbekistan's Military Reform and Partner Potential|date=5 November 2012|access-date=16 May 2019|archive-date=9 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809180503/https://sldinfo.com/2012/11/uzbekistans-military-reform-and-partner-potential/|url-status=live}}</ref>
=== Youth training ===
In addition to the schools mentioned, four [[Temurbek Military Schools|military lyceums (high schools)]] operate in [[Tashkent]], [[Samarkand]], [[Fergana]] and [[Urgench]], all of which were established in 1993, are run by the military for pre-military education.
== Military culture ==
=== Military oath ===
[[File:Stamps of Uzbekistan, 2012-06.jpg|thumb|A 2012 stamp depicting a soldier taking the military oath]]
The [[military oath]] is taken by [[conscripts]] as a legal basis of the beginning of their military service. The oath is administered by the commanding officer of the unit while a colour guard lowers the national flag for the soldier to kiss after he/she has taken the oath. The first military oath of the Armed Forces of Uzbekistan was adopted at the 10th session of the 12th convocation of the [[Supreme Soviet of the Uzbek SSR|Supreme Soviet of Uzbekistan]] on 3 July 1992. The following is the text for the 1992 version of the oath:<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.lex.uz/docs/-86952?otherlang=1|title=648-XII-сон 03.07.1992. Harbiy qasamyod to'g'risida|access-date=2019-06-14|archive-date=2021-02-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204055838/https://www.lex.uz/docs/-86952?otherlang=1|url-status=live}}</ref>
{{Blockquote|"I, (last name, first name, fatherland), joining the ranks of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Uzbekistan, solemnly swear allegiance to its people and the President.
I swear piously to abide by the Constitution and the laws of the Republic of Uzbekistan, to unconditionally fulfill military regulations, orders of commanders and chiefs, to strictly observe military discipline, to be honest, brave and watchful warrior.
I swear before the memory of my ancestors to be the true son of my homeland until the last breath, to withstand all the burdens and deprivations of military service, to keep state and military secrets.
I swear in the name of the bright future of my native Uzbekistan to be a worthy advocate of its state interests and independence. If I break this solemn oath, then let me be overtaken by the harsh punishment of the laws and the contempt of the people!"}}
With the entry of the Law "On General Military Commitment and Military Service" adopted by the [[Oliy Majlis]] in 2002, the oath was abolished and the original text was made unavailable. In April 2018, a long proposed new version of the oath was approved. The new version is as follows:<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://darakchi.uz/oz/48961|title=Harbiylarning qasamyod matni tasdiqlandi va pensiya yoshi oshirildi|access-date=2019-06-14|archive-date=2019-06-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190611090236/http://www.darakchi.uz/oz/48961|url-status=dead}}</ref>
{{Blockquote|"When I am in the ranks of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Uzbekistan, I swear to honor the Republic of Uzbekistan, to be loyal to my people and to the President.
I swear to honor and adhere to the Constitution and the laws of the Republic of Uzbekistan, to obey the orders of the military commanders and officers placed before me, to strictly adhere to military discipline and to be an honest, brave and vigilant serviceman.
Until the last breath, I swear in the spirit of my ancestors to be a faithful child of my Homeland, to steadfastly endure all the hardships and difficulties of the military service and to maintain the secrets of the state and the military secrets of the armed forces.
For the bright future of my dear Uzbekistan, I swear to be a worthy defender of state interests and independence.
If I ever break this solemn oath, I would be subject to the most severest punishments prescribed by law and the hatred of my people!"}}
=== Holidays ===
These are the military holidays observed by all service personnel the Uzbek Armed Forces:
* 14 January – [[Defender of the Motherland Day]]
* 15 February – International Duties Memorial Day
* 5 April – [[National Security Service (Uzbekistan)|National Security Service]] Day
* 9 May – [[Day of Remembrance and Honour]]
* 3rd day in August – [[Uzbekistan Air and Air Defence Forces|Uzbek Air Force]] Day<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://lex.uz/ru/docs/120147|title=117-I-сон 31.08.1995. Об установлении дня воздушного флота Республики Узбекистан|access-date=2019-06-14|archive-date=2022-04-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220417060726/https://lex.uz/ru/docs/120147|url-status=live}}</ref>
* 25 October – [[Police and Internal Affairs Servicemen's Day]]
=== Cultural institutions ===
[[File:Uzbek Army Band in Russia (105032).jpg|thumb|[[Band of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Uzbekistan|Band of the Ministry of Defense]]]]
The armed forces maintains a number of cultural institutions that operated under the Ministry of Defense. Those institutions include the following:<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://mg.uz/publish/doc/text98554_centralnyy_dom_oficerov_pereehal_v_novoe_zdanie_v_tashkente|title=Центральный дом офицеров переехал в новое здание в Ташкенте - Центральный дом офицеров переехал в новое здание в Ташкенте - Мой Город|access-date=2019-06-14|archive-date=2019-06-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190616035150/http://www.mg.uz/publish/doc/text98554_centralnyy_dom_oficerov_pereehal_v_novoe_zdanie_v_tashkente|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[State Museum of the Armed Forces of Uzbekistan]] &ndash; Founded in 1965 as the Museum of the [[Turkestan Military District]], the State Museum of the Armed Forces ({{Langx|uz|Oʻzbekiston Respublikasi Qurolli Kuchlari markaziy muzeyi}}) is under the direct control of the [[Ministry of Defense (Uzbekistan)|Ministry of Defense]], being located in the ministry's central building since May 1975. The museum exhibits over 10,000 pieces of memorabilia, including [[Second World War]] era tanks and military artifacts from the [[Timurid dynasty]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.afisha.uz/catalog/7761/|title=Государственный музей Вооруженных сил Республики Узбекистана|access-date=2019-06-14|archive-date=2020-08-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200811042533/https://www.afisha.uz/catalog/7761/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://orexca.com/rus/tashkent_museum_armed_forces.shtml|title=Музей вооруженных сил, Ташкент|access-date=2019-06-14|archive-date=2016-03-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160329012942/http://orexca.com/rus/tashkent_museum_armed_forces.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>
*Tashkent [[House of Military Officers]] &ndash; The main building was built in 1885 and was used as a military assembly by the [[Imperial Russian Army]] before the [[October Revolution]] of 1917. In 1924, it housed the first House of the [[Red Army]]. In 1945, it became the House of Officers for the HQ [[Turkestan Military District]]. In the 1990s, after Uzbekistan gained its independence, it was renamed the Central House of Officers of the Ministry of Defense of Uzbekistan.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.afisha.uz/gorod/2013/09/03/odo-razobrali-dokirpichey/|title=ОДО разобрали до кирпичей|date=3 September 2013|access-date=14 June 2019|archive-date=11 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200811042550/https://www.afisha.uz/gorod/2013/09/03/odo-razobrali-dokirpichey/|url-status=live}}</ref> Since 2013, the original building of the Central House of Officers has been occupied by the [[Tashkent State Institute of Law]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://wikimapia.org/520250/ru/%D0%91%D1%8B%D0%B2%D1%88%D0%B8%D0%B9-%D0%B4%D0%BE%D0%BC-%D0%BE%D1%84%D0%B8%D1%86%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B2|title=Бывший дом офицеров - Ташкент|access-date=2019-06-14|archive-date=2019-08-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190801113611/http://wikimapia.org/520250/ru/%D0%91%D1%8B%D0%B2%D1%88%D0%B8%D0%B9-%D0%B4%D0%BE%D0%BC-%D0%BE%D1%84%D0%B8%D1%86%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B2|url-status=live}}</ref>
*Center for Spirituality and Enlightenment of the Ministry of Defense
== See also ==
* [[List of equipment of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Uzbekistan]]
==Citations==
{{reflist|30em}}
==References==
{{refbegin|30em}}
* {{cite book |last=IISS |title=The Military Balance 2019|year=2019 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1857439885}}
{{refend}}
==Further reading==
* {{cite journal |first=Roger N. |last=McDermott |title=The armed forces of the republic of Uzbekistan 1992-2002: Threats, influences and reform |journal=The Journal of Slavic Military Studies |volume=16 |issue=2 |date=June 2003 |pages=27–50|doi=10.1080/13518040308430558 }}
==External links==
{{Commons category|Military of Uzbekistan}}
* [https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCf1wcRodR_vlHKWVH8n8pvA The Ministry of Defense] on YouTube
* [http://mudofaa.uz/] – Official Website
* [https://www.oboronprom.uz/eng/ State Committee for Defense Industry] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210421162237/https://www.oboronprom.uz/eng/ |date=21 April 2021 }}
{{Uzbekistan topics}}
{{Military of Asia|state=expanded}}
[[Category:Military of Uzbekistan| ]]
[[Category:Government of Uzbekistan]]