Three similarities and differences in the army of Central Asian countries. What are the army of the states of Central Asia are ready? Interview

The death of Islam Karimov nominated the issue of ensuring the security of Uzbekistan to the fore. Does the Uzbek army cope with this task?

The Uzbek army is called the strongest in Central Asia, but whether it is able to resist the external and inner threats?

Death of President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov attracted attention russian political scientists and journalists to this Central Asian country. Twenty-five years, stability in Uzbekistan was supported precisely thanks to Figure Karimov. Now the "eternal president" did not. And one of the key institutions capable of ensuring the internal security and unity of the country remains the Uzbek army. What are the armed forces of the largest population of Central Asia?

What threatens Uzbekistan?

Like the army of other post-Soviet republics, the Armed Forces of Uzbekistan were created on the basis of the Soviet military infrastructure remaining in the republic after the collapse of the USSR. The armed forces of Uzbekistan are known less than about other Central Asian armies. Nevertheless, with Islam Karimov, the country was quite closed. And this is understandable - too much internal and external dangers I threatened and threatened Uzbekistan. This is I. international terrorism, and territorial claims of neighboring countries, and internal interglane contradictions political elite.

Photo: Fr.FerganaNews.com.

For a long time, the most serious threat of radical fundamentalists from the "Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan" remained the most serious threat of stability of Uzbekistan. Later, the Uzbek authorities managed to practically neutralize their activities even in Fergana, which was always considered a cradle of Uzbek religious fundamentalism. In 1998, Uzbekistan even presented claims to Pakistan - Mol, Islamabad brings in the Pakistani territory of Uzbek militants. Now a serious threat to Uzbekistan can be seeding in the middle Asia of the ISIL 1 militant (the organization prohibited in Russia).

Enough complex relations Uzbekistan and with neighbors - and Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan have certain claims to Tashkent, although, of course, prefer to maintain the picture of the Central Asian peace and cooperation. But it is known that many Tajik figures have long argued that Bukhara is rightfully the Tajik city, the center of Tajik history and culture.

Army largest in Central Asia

It is known that by the number of Uzbek armed forces are the largest in Central Asia. In the study of experts Global Firepower The Uzbek armed forces are named the most powerful in the post-Soviet space after Russian, Ukrainian and Belarusian. They left behind not only the army of neighbors, but also the armed forces of the countries of the Caucasus and Baltic States. The number of the Armed Forces of Uzbekistan is estimated at about 50 thousand people. Another about 20 thousand people serve in armed groups that ensure the internal security of the republic.

Most numerous appearance Armed Forces - Land Forces of Uzbekistan. They serves about 25 thousand people. Ground troops include one tank case, ten motorized, one minorthing, one airborne, three air assault and four engineering brigades.

In addition, the country's armed forces are included Air Force and troops anti-heart defense, Special troops, National Guard. The Air Force and Air Defense includes 4 aviation and 1 helicopter brigades, a military transport team, a helicopter detachment, two anti-aircraft missile brigades and one fighter aviation aircraft defense squadron.

The National Guard is considered particularly efficient formation. It includes only one brigade of about a thousand servicemen who performs the tasks of the protection of important state objects. However, despite the small number, the National Guard is perfectly prepared for battles in urban conditions.

Photo: Ru.Sputniknews-uz.com.

When Uzbekistan's independence was proclaimed, one of the most acute issues was the staff of the country's armed forces by officers "title" nationality. In 1990, officers - Uzbeks, Karakalpaks, Tajiks - were only 0.6% of the total officer of the officers quartered in the Uzbek SSR military units and connections. On the territory of the Uzbek SSR in soviet time Ashkent Higher Officer Command School, Chirchik Higher Tank Command and Engineering School and Samarkand Higher Military Automotive Communication and Engineering School. These military universities began training officers for the army of independent Uzbekistan. In 1993, a military faculty was opened in Tashkent University information technologieswhere they began to prepare officers - specialists in electronics. In 1994, the Jizzakh Higher Military Aviation School was opened, and in 1995 - the Academy of Armed Forces of Uzbekistan.

Save stability will help the special services?

However, an even more serious tool in the hands of power than the army is militarized service formation national Security Uzbekistan. She is headed by Colonel-General Rustam Inyatov - Professional "Chekist", who began service in Soviet times and became the Karimov at the late President of Islam, one of the most important political figures of the country. In the disposal of the SNB, in addition to the agent and operational units, technical structures, are the rapid response team with a number of over 5 thousand soldiers, border troops, thermal border river flotilla, detachments special purpose.

Per long years The existence of the National Security Service of Uzbekistan has turned into one of the most serious special services of Central Asia, which has great potential. This is a very closed structure, prefers not to light and its leader. At one time, the SNB included many units of the abolished Uzbek Gru - the Chief Intelligence Department of the Ministry of Defense of Uzbekistan, which further strengthened the powerfulness of the SNB, and the political influence of its leader.

Uzbekistan traditionally invests significant funds in the Central Asian standards in the development and strengthening of its armed forces. Now the main task facing the Uzbek army and security forces is to prevent any provocations or attempts to destabilize the situation in the country due to the death of Islam Karimov. But is Uzbekistan to cope with this task without serious help from Russia or the same Kazakhstan? After all, before Tashkent was distant from the military-political union with Russia, leaning the ranks of the CSTO, in every way to emphasize his self-sufficiency and support for his own strength.

1 Terrorist organization whose activities are prohibited in the territory Russian Federation

Toktogul Kakchkeev - Colonel in the reserve of the Armed Forces of Kyrgyzstan. He graduated from the Military Political Communist Party Faculty of the Leningrad Supreme Political School of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the USSR Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Second Faculty of the Moscow Academy of the USSR Ministry of Internal Affairs, College of Strategic Studies and the Defense Economy named after J.S. Marshall. Participated in 6. humanitarian operations - Including in the Kyrgyz-Tajik border land-water conflict (1989), in the Kyrgyz-Uzbek interethnic conflict in the Osh region (1990)

Toktogul Kakachekheev - Colonel in the reserve of the Armed Forces of Kyrgyzstan. He graduated from the Military Political Communist Party Faculty of the Leningrad Supreme Political School of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the USSR Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Second Faculty of the Moscow Academy of the USSR Ministry of Internal Affairs, College of Strategic Studies and the Defense Economy named after J.S. Marshall. Participated in 6 humanitarian operations - including in the Kyrgyz-Tajik border land-water conflict (1989), in the Kyrgyz-Uzbek interethnic conflict in the Osh region (1990), in the organization of mining and rescue operations of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Kyrgyzstan in the course of reflecting the attack of international bandforms invading the Batken Region of Kyrgyzstan (1999). Chairman working Group "Management of crises in Central Asia" Consortium of military academies and universities that study security issues (2001). Author of more than 120 published works on the special tactics of the fight against OrgPrest, extremism, terrorism, separatism, criminology, political science.

IA REGNUM.: What is the combat capability of the Kyrgyz army?

It is difficult to compare the Kyrgyz army with any other Central Asian army. Kazakhstan, for example, now has the most efficient army in Central Asia. In Uzbekistan, there are about 200 thousand personnel. 10-12 years ago, when representatives of the Taliban broke through to Uzbekistan, the army could not reflect the attack, chasing armored vehicles and just escaped. But it was a long time ago. The appropriate conclusions were made of this case.

IA REGNUM.: What else can you say about Sun Uzbekistan?

Uzbeks have retained all weapons of the Turkestan Military District, he expected from the President of Russia for the fifth sleeve of the supply gas pipeline high-precision weapons. They lead not only political, but also military competition with Kazakhstan, Tajikistan or Kyrgyzstan, they have real, conscious training of the army according to NATO standards in case of the entry into the military unit. That is why NATO specialists are around Islam Karimov. In general, the army of Uzbekistan is developing, saturated modern technician and is supported by political contacts with the aim of joining NATO. What is likely to happen, since the Republic lost to Kazakhstan from the point of view of the economic, resource, transport, transit and other power of the country.

Nazarbayev's proximity to Russia is even more spurring Uzbekistan to the adoption of some inadequate decisions. Uzbekistan his dissatisfaction with the fact that he lost internal competition for the 1st place in Central Asia, expresses even unflattering reviews about Kazakhstan: it was expressed that 70% natural resources - Gas and oil fields - Kazakhs sold and after that hope for independence and development. This is a reproach Nazarbayev.

IA REGNUM.: How strong is the army of Kazakhstan?

The Army of Kazakhstan is developing in Russian type. They created more military districts, of which one special is the Southern Military District. When conducting exercises on the transfer of live strength and technology from the north to south, about 150 cars were involved - it is a lot. They unfolded the operational-tactical anti-air system Defense in the south, prepared the launches of operational tactical missiles. And all this Kazakhstan worked at the highest level. In the republic today there are military educational institutions, Research centers and agency for the study of nuclear power and space. This suggests that Kazakhstan, despite difficulties, boldly enters the technological zone to repeat the path of South Korea, Japan. In addition, Nazarbayev was the first president in the world who created the Universal Cathedral of all denominations held twice, built a cathedral synagogue, there RPC feels fine, and Islam, respectively. He managed to solve those problems that most often disturb any multi-confessional society.

As for the armament of Turkmenistan, there is a very strong armored armor, the aviation technique, which Ukraine is supplied to the petrodollara.

IA REGNUM.: How armed forces of Kyrgyzstan is able to withstand the external threat?

The Kyrgyz army serves only by the symbol of the state apparatus as a guarantor of territorial integrity and reflection of probable attacks from outside. But the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan in 1999-2000 showed how much Kyrgyzstan is ready to reflect strikes. The trouble is that the Kyrgyz army got into his hands to the riflemen who sold weapons from the USSR, ammunition, equipment, equipment and even rocket fuel. As a result, we have the following: one general has already been planted, the second general - Ismail Isakov is under investigation, another ran away with Akayev, the other was captured. And today it is possible to say that the Kyrgyz army is combed, of course, rashly. General of the Kyrgyz Armed Forces, law enforcement, fiscal bodies, smiling in Akayev's face, he simply sold it in March 2005. Such glory does not instill hope to citizens that this top of the army is capable of something. The only distinguished general who believes - Mysanakan Subanov, which grew up as a general in Russian expanses. There are some more young generals who commanded parts in Russia have combat experience, the experience of training troops, the deployment of troops, but they do not see them, because they do not commend them to the number of "their".

IA REGNUM.: How in the Kyrgyz troops there are promotion? Based on what: talents, sweating or related ties?

According to Asian mentality, it is customary to bring the relatives, ENUHOV, relatives of Treaschairs, relatives of the guards to Khanam, Sultanam. In Kyrgyzstan, do not look at what academy you graduated. There were cases when graduates of automotive schools were appointed to command non-staff units. In foreign armids there are special managers of the war - the general official officers, it is usually infantry, arrows and tankers. They replace each other. In Kyrgyzstan, in the question of nominations to higher officers, something incomprehensible occurs. Most Experienced generals, officers simply fired. After all, when one of the regional command comes to the post of Minister, he tries to immediately recruit his.

IA REGN.Um.: What can you say about the scarehouse soldiers?

For 18 years I have seen only once, as combat gunboards were held from armored personnel carriers, from BMP, from warm artillery, mortars, tank guns. Commanders do not know at what level there is driving armored vehicles, the ability to hidely hold tank marches, etc. I did not see this and did not hear. And when in the silence of the cabinets they say: "We are ready," I want to ask a question: "Why?". Ready to die just so or willing to surrender, as before, or are willing to say that we are not ready?

On May 7, the Day of Defender of the Fatherland is celebrated in Kazakhstan, and the National Army celebrates the next date of its birth, which has been conducted since 1992. How does Kazakhstan armed forces differ from the divisions of the Ministry of Defense of the neighboring countries in Central Asia, and what are they similar? What are our common tasks, and what will happen in the event of a military threat?

"Open Asia Online" talked about this with a candidate of military sciences, colonel stock, former employee Ministry of Defense, and now the teacher of the Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Albert Mukhametov.

1. Numerical composition of the army

In world practice, the number of armed forces is an average of 1% of the total population of a particular country. Factual data last decade Indicate that all five countries of the region do not reach this figure almost half, "Albert Mughametov says. "For example, if 17.7 million people live in Kazakhstan on December 1, 2016, then the number of the army would have to make about 170 thousand people. In reality, this is not more than 80 thousand. The same can be said about other Central Asian states. In Uzbekistan, with a population of 26 million people in military service in the army - 65 thousand people. In Turkmenistan, with a population of more than 5 million people military service 22 thousand people carry. In Kyrgyzstan, 5 million people are no more than 17,500 servicemen. In Tajikistan, on 8 million people of military personnel about 15 thousand. This suggests that no state of Central Asia does not consider itself as an aggressor, and his neighbors as opponents. All are carried out by peace-loving policies. The system of training of military personnel in almost all countries is the same.

The call to the army in all republics of Central Asia is carried out, as before, twice a year. In addition to Uzbekistan. There, the conditions for the passage of the service were strongly changed. In 2003, the service sentence decreased from 18 to 12 months, and since 2008 a call for urgent military service Began to be carried out once a year - in the spring. In Kyrgyzstan, in 2015, they spoke about the introduction of the so-called short-term service worth 60 thousand soms ($ 870) and a duration of 40 days, but until this case was practically started.

2. Military budget and arms

To say - a strong army or not, it is difficult until you see it in action, "Albert Mukhametov continues. - Fortunately, check this postulate in a large-scale military conflict has not yet had. Therefore, it is possible to assess the strength and power of the army of any country by the budget, which in the country is allocated for defense, according to the actual number of the army, on the presence and number of new samples of technology, according to the possibilities of the military industry, that is, according to the criteria for which the military potential of the state can be evaluated. This potential in all Central Asian countries is spilled.

As for military budgets, the largest defense budget in absolute terms has the largest defense budget. The level of defense costs in 1% of GDP is enshrined in the Kazakhstan military doctrine.

Military budgets of the Central Asian

The quality of the preparation of military personnel is high enough in each country. But the military-technical equipment is all different. In the Kazakh army in service - aviation complex MiG-31, Su-27, MiG-29. In 2015 were purchased the newest aircraft Generations "4 ++" Su-30, which have been demonstrated on a military parade. Kazakhstan has advanced air defense complexes, such as C-300. And MiG-31, and C-300 are able to act in the system anti-missile defense. The airframe of Kazakhstan is replenished not only by combat aircraft, but by military transport aircraft type C-295 of the European Aviation Concern Airbus. In Astana, the production of helicopters "Eurocopter EU-145" has been established. The park of armored vehicles make up T-72B tanks with controlled rocket weapons, modern combat machines BMP-2 infantry, new samples are purchased, such as BTR-82, BTR-80A, combat intelligence car "Cobra" Kazakhstan-Turkish production. Naval forces also have something to be proud: in the Caspian martial vehicles Kazakhstan buildings.

Good potential military equipment Possessed Uzbekistan. But what technique he purchases is a question covered by a voy of uncertainty. According to the Russian media, special emphasis in Uzbekistan is made on the purchase of anti-air defense and helicopters, armored weapons, artillery Systems and communications. The USA in 2015 completed the transfer of Uzbekistan more than 300 large armored vehicles with reinforced anti-mining protection, 20 armored repair and evacuation machines and 20 all-wheel drive cars MAN for border troops divisions. South Korea reported on the agreements with Uzbekistan for the sale of 12 training supervision aircraft T-50 Golden Eagle worth $ 400 million. But the Uzbek side did not comment on these events in any way, so it is quite difficult to assess the positions here.

As for Kyrgyzstan, at one time he provided Kazakhstan and Kazakhstan. Tajikistan strengthens its military power with the help of the Russian Federation, partly machinery and weapons are supplied to the army from the 201st Russian military base station deployed in the country.

According to IISS The Military Balance, in 2012 in the Tajik army there were 30 T-72 tanks and 7 T-62 tanks, 8 BMP-1 fighting machines and 15 BMP-2 cars, as well as 23 armored vehicles of various modifications. This was written by the site "Asia Plus". At the disposal of the Tajik army there are three installations of reactive volley fire BM-21 degrees, as well as ten installations of artillery systems PM-38 and 122-millimeter Gaubitz D-30. In the air defense system, the Tajik army is in service with anti-aircraft rocket complexes - Soviet "Strela-2", SPK low-range C-125 and American "Stinger" FIM-92. They also have 21 self-propelled anti-aircraft missile complex with low-range C-75.

With aviation - weakly: 4 Mi-24 combat helicopters (more than 8 are labeled on conservation) and 13 transport "turntables" Mi-8 and Mi-17. Until recently, it was believed that the Air Force of Tajikistan does not have combat aircraft, but in the parade in honor of the 20th anniversary of the independence of Tajikistan in Dushanbe in 2011, three educational and combat aircraft were attended by L-39 and two strategic bomber Tu-95.

3. International treaties, organizations and programs

No country in the world can achieve success in defense alone. It concerns both large players and smaller, "Albert Mukhametov continues to acquaint us with the differences of the armies of Central Asia. - Even so strong in the economic plan of the country, as the United States, Great Britain, Germany, PRC, Russia, cannot be guaranteed to neutralize all security threats. IN Military doctrine Kazakhstan 2007 was indicated that the state does not consider his participation in the conflict of high intensity, and in the 2011 doctrine it states that if such a conflict occurs, the coalition opportunities will be involved in Kazakhstan. Three countries of the region (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan) are active participants in the organization of the Treaty collective security (). Uzbekistan out of its composition in 2012 "because of the concerns that the forces of the organization can be used to settle internal conflicts". Independent policies leads Turkmenistan. Other international organizations connecting both Central Asia countries are, above all, the UN, IWMDA. The latter includes Russia, China, India, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. The result of the work was the signing of agreements to strengthen confidence in the military field and on mutual reduction armed Forces in the area of \u200b\u200bthe border. Participation in such organizations, discussion of problems on sites high levelOf course, beneficially reflected on ensuring the security of the states of Central Asia.

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As a result of decay Soviet Union On his Asian part, five completely independent states were formed - Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan - who received not only their separate leadership, but also the national armed forces. All military property, which previously belonged to the USSR Army and which turned out to be in the territories of these states, with the exception of strategic missile systems and nuclear, became the basis of the creation of national armies.

It should be noted that weapons and military equipment in these territories turned out to be in excess. Therefore, if at the initial stage of nationalization of military property, military leaders sought to accumulate Arsenal, then the problem arose later: how to dispose of the accumulated military property?

In addition to this problem, there were other, no less significant. So, for example, as it turned out, significant funds were needed for maintenance in good condition and the protection of military arsenals, and the budgets of the newly formed republics did not have the ability to allocate them in the required volume. In addition, these military warehouses began to represent great danger For the life of people in the nearby settlements. Bright example This is the situation with military arsenals in Turkmenistan, where problems were noted with the storage of toxic rocket fuel, which was contained in railway tanks, as well as repeated fires and explosions of ammunition in warehouses in other Asian republics, which were laid back in the middle of the last century.

In the current situation of the Government of Central Asia, countries were forced to make urgent security measures. As a priority measure, an inventory of military property was carried out, on the basis of which new arsenals were formed. And even though in each of these republics, this process had its own characteristics, it was also based on identical principles and factors.

So, on the basis of the real number of armed forces in each of the countries, two groups of arms were formed, which were used under certain conditions. One of them is a training and combat, which was used to prepare personnel. Second - combat groupwhich was kept in the territories military units and which was supposed to be used in military conflict.

A certain part of the arms was disassembled on parts and determined to the warehouse in order to further use if necessary or replacing the parts of identical weapons. What was superfluous was sold to other states, and the fact that it was already unsuitable for use was subject to disposal. And a little later, when the Soviet samples of military equipment and weapons are outdated both in moral and physically plan, the question of holding the repair and modernization of this technique, as well as the need for procurement of more modern weapons.

It should be noted that at present the military expenses of Central Asian states have increased significantly. So, for example, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan's expenses are about $ 1.5 billion a year, which exceeds the military budgets of countries such as Kyrgyzstan or Tajikistan.
As for weapons, now we are talking About such indicators: in service with the Kazakh army there are more than 2.2 thousand BTROP and about 980 tanks, 280 fighter aircraft and helicopters with a total number of personnel of 70 thousand people. In Uzbekistan - 340 tanks, 700 BTR, 500 guns and 135 fighters and 50 thousand servicemen. In the Armed Forces of Turkmenistan - about 1940 BTR, 112 aircraft and helicopters, 680 tanks and 20 thousand person personnel. In the army of Tajikistan, there are only 46 armored personnel carriers, 3 tanks, 3 helicopters and one aircraft. The number of personnel is 16 thousand people.

Undoubtedly, the priority in the field of weapons belongs to the Russian Federation as the successor of the Soviet Union. She not only managed to preserve the enterprises of the military industry, which acted in Soviet times, but also to form new, joint military equipment and weapons manufacturing enterprises with the CIS countries. Thus, in close cooperation with enterprises of the Commonwealth countries, communications are already produced, it is planned to create drone, radar and optical electronic systems, as well as new models of aircraft and helicopters. It should be noted that annually the volume of orders of state defense order increases, and in the future it is planned not only to master new technologies for the production of cartridges, boats, automated means of management, ships, means of radar, fire and rescue equipment, means of modernization of various systems, but also construction New plants.

In order to understand the features of the development of the military-industrial complex as a whole in the territory of the Asian part of the post-Soviet space, it is necessary to stay in more detail on the military component of these states, and the influence on it from Russia and the countries of far abroad.

Thus, the main part of the enterprises of the military-industrial complex, which are located in Kazakhstan, are focused on the production of naval technology (such a state of affairs was characteristic of the Soviet period).

In addition, some aviation products and aggregates are also manufactured for aircraft and aircraft enterprises of the CIS countries - Ukraine, Russia, Uzbekistan and Belarus. And if you take into account the fact, the cost of spare parts, fuel and lubricants, ammunition and weapons are preserved relatively small, the tendency to preserve and develop cooperation with Russian military-defense enterprises will be maintained in the future. So, for example, the military department of Kazakhstan has an intention to purchase a certain number of Yak-130 training aircraft in Russia.

In addition to cooperation with Russia, a significant interest in cooperation with the post-Soviet Asian republics and other countries of the world is noticeable, in particular the United States of America and Germany.

So, the Americans do not hide the fact that they intend to preserve their military base in Kyrgyzstan, as well as create several similar bases in the territories of other states of Central Asia - in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. And in the media even appeared information about the fact that closed negotiations were conducted regarding the transfer of excessive American weapons and military equipment, which is derived from the Afghan territory. Negotiations these allegedly rakes during the visit of Lieutenant General Vincent Brooks (American Commander ground forces) In Tashkent and Dushanbe in November 2011.

Then we were talking about the transfer of small volumes of digital radio stations, unmanned aircraft, sets of individual equipment, armored vehicles and armored personnel carriers, tanks, anti-air defense, artillery systems and small armsequipped with night vision devices.

Apparently, the American military leadership came to the conclusion that there is no point in transmitting such highly professional weapons into the hands of the Afghan military, since they will still not be able to master it. Moreover, exists real threat The fact that the weapon is in the hands of militants. The armed forces of the post-Soviet space can easily master this technique. But such free help has one large "but": in the future, it may be the basis for drawing these republics to military-technical cooperation with NATO countries and the United States of America.

In addition to the issue of the transfer of technology, the course of the visit also discussed other topics, in particular, on the possibility of creating American training centers on the territory of these states, in which military countries of Central Asia would be able to undergo traffic courses new technique. Recall that the American military training center has already been operating in Tajikistan, in which groups of special forces of special purpose are preparing. According to the US Embassy, \u200b\u200bover the 20 years, the US authorities have been transferred to the development of economics, health, education and democracy in Tajikistan about $ 984 million.

In addition, cooperation is established between the countries of Central Asia and Germany. In particular, the German government has a significant financial assistance Uzbekistan in the process of creating national professional armed forces, and also sells military equipment that was once in the operation of the Bundeswehr.

In addition, in the Central Asian market they are trying to conquer positions and military enterprises of Israel, China, South Korea.

Despite this, it is quite obvious that considerable assistance to these states in terms of military defense industry will be provided by Russia. As for America, it is, according to experts, everything is simple - the Pentagon has never done anything without benefit for himself. Military assistance will not be an exception and military assistance to the post-Soviet Central Asian republics. Americans not only will be able to get rid of surplus military equipment and weapons, which remained from the campaign in Afghanistan, but will be able to strengthen Iran's isolation that for them is currently a very important task.

10:27 — REGNUM.

One of the favorite myths of modernity about Central Asia is that it constantly needs external protection: then from the invasion of the Afghan Taliban, then from ISIL (organization whose activities are prohibited in the Russian Federation), then from someone. The likelihood that the countries of the region can reflect the danger themselves are usually not considered.

It is usually overlooked that the stories about the unprecedented combat effectiveness of the Afghans and the "Empire Cemetery" are simply propaganda stamps invented in the United States. Meaning British Empire He lost only the first war with the Afghans, and the following two won, Afghanistan independence received only in 1747, and before that he was under the fifth or western, or northern neighbors, and raids were always from the north to south, and not from the south to the north.

In the same way, with conversations about ISIL (the organization whose activities are prohibited in the Russian Federation) forget about the role of deserters from a crushed army Saddam Hussein, and about the role of local Sunni tribes, because only foreign mojahids only.

But back to the countries of the region. Can they reflect the act of aggression of any party - another country or organization? To do this, it is worth analyzing different aspects their military potential: the number of armed forces, their equipment, combat experience, etc.

In any case, it is necessary to note that, judging by the scenarios of the exercises, and according to the procurement of military equipment, the countries of the region take into account the experience of military conflicts in their strategies both in Afghanistan and Iraq and Syria. And understanding modern methods Keeping local wars there is.

Number of armed forces

The population of the region is about 70 million people: Uzbekistan - 32 million, Kazakhstan - 18 million, Tajikistan - 8.6 million, Kyrgyzstan - 6 million, Turkmenistan - 5.5 million. The number of armed forces is only 211.7 thousand people, which is in principle a bit.

At the same time, one third of them are paralimilitarian compounds ( national Guard, border guards, state protection service, etc.). By the magnitude of the army in the first place Uzbekistan, then Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan. Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan cannot contain large armies Because of poverty.

Armed forces

Weapons and Combat Technology

Below are armament on the existing countries in the countries of the region. However, it is necessary to understand that the declared numbers are one, and the reality is completely different. Most likely, the data must be somewhat smume - not the whole technique in good condition, and it is unlikely that 100% of the equipment will be out of alarm, except aircraft. So, when considering these numbers, it is necessary to take into account the ability to ensure the repair of equipment and even the presence of fuel and lubricants in principle. Also, most types of combat technology needed a prepared personnel.

It should be remembered that the formation of arsenals occurred in several ways:

• residues from Turkestan (Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan) and Central Asian (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan) of military districts;
• part of the weapon of the combined contingent soviet troops in Afghanistan (mainly in Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan);
• gratuitous assistance of foreign states;
• deliveries within the framework of the CSTO (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, for some time Uzbekistan);
• own purchases that are often dictated by a political, not military necessity.

As a result, a set of combat technology is quite diverse and often little compatible with each other.

But we turn to the list of weapons. The fleet does not take into account the probability of combat clashes on the sea is zero, and to fight terrorism there, no rocket boats.

The first goes the basis ground forces - armored vehicles. The indisputable leader in its number is Turkmenistan, in second place Kazakhstan, and then Uzbekistan. Tajikistan has little tanks, however, considering the mountainous nature of the area, they are not very necessary there. On tanks in Kyrgyzstan, there are doubts about this quantity.

Separately, we note that it is impossible to underestimate the T-62, which are in service with Uzbekistan, are excellent tanks who perfectly showed themselves both in Afghanistan and in Chechnya, because they are reliable, simple and easily repaired. That T-64 is more problematic.

Kazakhstan has three BMPTs, which indicates the possibility of conducting a combat operation in urban environments, both with tanks, and without - if the opponent has no heavy weapons.

Armored vehicles

Bydata THE MILITARY BALANCE 2016

As the experience of local wars showed recent years, the most terrible native of troops is artillery, especially self-propelled, and jet systems volley fire. The fact is that it allows you to damage the opponent with a closed position, without entering it in a direct clash, the impact is very powerful - especially in large-caliber Gaubitz and the RSZO caliber of 220-300 mm. She is also much cheaper than aviation.

Despite the fact that Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan are in service with a number of guns, leads and mortars of the 40s of the 40s, are not necessary to underestimate them - they are completely efficient. The unconditional leader in artillery looks like Kazakhstan - he has more self-propelled artillery attitudes and, which is especially important, 152-mm SAU 2C3 "Acacia", as well as the RSZO. The combinations of large firing power, the range of shooting and mobility is enough for any conflict.

However, Uzbekistan has a separate trump card - SAU 2C7 "Peony" caliber 203 mm. In principle, in the region there are not so many structures that will withstand at least one entrance to this artillery Installation. IN mountain terrain Their use will be even more efficient.

Artillery

Bydata THE MILITARY BALANCE 2016

Two countries in the region have rocket complexes, and the Turkmenistan is much more powerful. True, it is difficult to submit a local conflict, in which their application would need - this weapon is more for wars with an enemy equal to the equipment, at a minimum.

Rocket complexes

Bydata THE MILITARY BALANCE 2016

Now go to aviation. There is data on aircraft and helicopters, while the number of drifting drones is not subject to publication, but some countries in the region are already there.

In essence, combat aircraft There are only three countries - Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, and Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan have only transport workers. The unconditional leader here is Kazakhstan - he has the most powerful aviation. And taking into account contracts for the supply of still Su-30cm and heavy transport worker IL-76, it in principle will be able to solve any necessary tasks.

Aircraft

Bydata THE MILITARY BALANCE 2016

If the aircraft are more applicable in the conditions of steppes and deserts, then for the mountains you need a helicopter. Here the leader performs Uzbekistan - he has much more transport helicopters. If the Mi-6 has in operation, it can carry out a fairly large operation in a mountainous area without any problems, delivering with these helicopters as a technique and personal composition. True, given the removal of them from production and refusal to support in Russia itself, it is unlikely.

Kazakhstan has enough shock helicoptersBut there are few transport, there may be more purchases Mi-26. If they bring them to 10-12, this will allow any operation in the mountains.

Helicopters

Bydata THE MILITARY BALANCE 2016

Participation in combat and non-military operations

The biggest experience of hostilities in the region has Tajikistan, but it was the experience of civil war, and the youngest participants of those events for 40 years. Preserved or armed forces of Tajikistan this experience Or they rely more on the 201st division of Russia deployed in the country, it is unknown.

The Armed Forces of Kazakhstan has experience in combat actions in the framework of the CIS peacekeeping operation in Tajikistan, as well as in the auxiliary operations in Iraq without direct involvement in hostilities. It should be noted increasing the frequency and an increase in the scale of the exercises in the country of the exercise.

The Armed Forces of Kyrgyzstan have the experience of only small participation in the peacekeeping operation in Tajikistan, plus the experience of collisions with terrorists in Batken. Officers and sergeants of the Armed Forces of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan are involved in the UN peacekeeping operations, but as observers are, although experience, but mostly personal.

Turkmenistan due to the neutral status in foreign operations participation did not accept, and various collisions on the border for real combat experience do not pull.

Uzbekistan has extensive support experience Popular Front in civil War In Tajikistan, then participation in the peacekeeping operation there, then a long interaction with Afghanistan and forces there, as well as the suppression of militants in Batken. In addition, it is necessary to take into account a certain experience of anti-terrorist struggle.

But in fact, due to the constant rotation of the personnel and changes in the combat capability of the Armed Forces, all this experience can be leveled. Real combat readiness will show only martialctions and nothing else.

Military budget

Not all countries are submitted publicly data on their military budget, but it must be assumed that the military budget of Turkmenistan is about 200-300 million dollars, and the military budget of Uzbekistan - in the region of 500-700 million dollars.

While military budgets are reduced due to problems in the economy, but they will increase if there is a real danger in the region.

Military budget, million US dollars

According toSIPRI

conclusions

1. Despite stereotypes, the armed forces of the countries of the region are well equipped and have a sufficient number for current tasks.
2. The armed forces of the countries of the region quite clearly monitor current trends in armament and tactics, which are manifested in modern local wars.
3. Considering that the main danger to the region is the penetration of a grouping of militants to about 300 people, then the acting military potential is enough.
4. A possible lack of professionalism can be fully compensated by the firepower of artillery and aviation, which even in large settlements such as Iraqi Mosul leads to success.