The Uzbek army is being prepared for the drone war

President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev initiated a large-scale reform of the country’s armed forces at a meeting of the Security Council. As part of the modernization, it is planned to create new units specializing in the fight against drones, the use of robotic technology and cybersecurity using artificial intelligence. The Head of State stressed the need to increase the combat readiness of the army and create a unified automated command and control system based on AI. This reform course takes into account the experience of modern military conflicts and their impact on Central Asia.

The decision to modernize the army, announced by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev at a meeting of the Security Council on February 21, is part of a comprehensive program to strengthen the country’s defense capability. The Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Uzbekistan stressed that when planning the development of the army, it is necessary to take into account modern armed conflicts and the specifics of the theater of military operations. In particular, according to him, attention should be paid to the widespread use of artificial intelligence, robotic systems, missiles, drones and means of countering them, the press service of the head of state reported.

In addition to the creation of new units, the meeting also discussed the development of a unified automated command and control system and the improvement of military personnel training. The Head of State noted that the infrastructure of higher military schools has been completely modernized, their curricula and methods have been brought into line with modern requirements. Special attention will be paid to the development of the Corps of Chief Sergeants, which is the backbone of the Uzbek army, as well as the further development of the defense industry, social support for military personnel and their families, education of young people in the spirit of patriotism and the involvement of citizens in military sports.

The President focused on significant progress in equipping the army with modern weapons, improving combat training and providing social protection for military personnel, providing housing for more than 30 thousand families and benefits for military children upon admission to universities.

Despite the fact that Uzbekistan is acquiring weapons in a number of countries, including Russia, the country pays great attention to the development of its own military-industrial complex (MIC). In particular, new enterprises have appeared in the republic. For example, serial assembly of drones and quadrocopters has already been established at the Chirchik Aviation Repair Plant. There are enterprises that produce armored personnel carriers, armored boats and special purpose boats.

More than 100 units of Uzbek-made military equipment and products were presented at the IDEX-2025 specialized exhibition in Abu Dhabi (UAE), which took place from February 17 to 21. Among the exhibits are the Arslon 8×8 and Arslon 6×6 armored personnel carriers, as well as the Tufon self–propelled howitzer.

Shavkat Mirziyoyev was introduced to these samples at the Center for Innovative Technologies of the Defense Industry Agency, which he visited the day before. The center has launched the production of about 80 types of military equipment, and supports startup projects on robotics and the production of unmanned aerial vehicles. According to Mirziyoyev, these are only the first steps, and it is necessary to continue work on the development of the military-industrial complex and increase the competitiveness of domestic enterprises in the global market. He instructed to attract private companies to the defense industry on a contractual basis, increase the range of military products and create additional jobs.

The military doctrine of Uzbekistan, as emphasized by Professor Rustam Burnashev from the Kazakh-German University, excludes the use of military force against other states. “The purpose of the Uzbek army is to protect the country from illegal armed groups similar to those that operated during the Batken events of 1999 and 2001. However, given the transformation of modern conflicts and the active use of drones and digital technologies by illegal formations, the modernization of the Uzbek army is overdue,” Rustam Burnashev told NG.

According to the expert, new technologies are being actively introduced in Tashkent, including the independent development and assembly of unmanned vehicles. Although Uzbekistan cannot fully provide itself with components, the initiative itself to develop and assemble equipment is a significant step. As for artificial intelligence and digital technologies, the active involvement of IT specialists, both local and foreign, indicates significant efforts in this area. Although the degree of readiness of defense developments remains unknown due to the secrecy of information, the very fact of such work is important. It is difficult to estimate the share of the national component in these developments, but cooperation with Russia and Turkey is obvious.

Turkey, which is interested in establishing its own production facilities in the region, offers, in particular, mass-produced unmanned aerial vehicles. In particular, Kyrgyzstan and Turkey are preparing to expand defense cooperation, including joint production of military products and their export to third countries (see NG dated 02/09/25). A similar agreement on military cooperation was signed between Turkey and Kazakhstan.