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Aviation Industry

Uzbekistan Becomes First Central Asian Buyer of Embraer C-390

The aviation engineering company Embraer announced on February 3 at the Singapore Airshow that Uzbekistan is the previously undisclosed buyer of its C-390 Millennium military transport aircraft. In its announcement, Embraer Defense & Security identified Uzbekistan as the first Central Asian country to acquire and operate the aircraft. The Uzbek Air Force will primarily use the C-390 for transport and humanitarian missions, enhancing the country’s airlift capabilities and emergency response infrastructure. The acquisition marks a major milestone in the modernization of Uzbekistan’s military aviation fleet and aligns it with a growing list of global C-390 operators. “We officially welcome the Republic of Uzbekistan to the group of C-390 operators as the Uzbekistan Air Force modernizes its transport capabilities,” said Bosco da Costa Junior, President and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security. He added that the company is “honored by the choice of this leading Central Asia Air Force” and committed to ensuring reliable and effective aircraft operation. Designed and built in the 21st century, the C-390 Millennium is described by Embraer as the most modern military transport aircraft in its class. It can carry payloads of up to 26 tons, reach speeds of 470 knots, and cover longer distances than other medium-sized transport aircraft. It is equipped for a wide range of missions including cargo and troop transport, medical evacuation, search and rescue, firefighting, and humanitarian aid. Notably, the C-390 can operate from unpaved or temporary runways, making it suitable for deployment in difficult terrain. When fitted with quick-install air-to-air refueling systems, the aircraft operates under the KC-390 designation, capable of serving as both tanker and receiver. It is fully NATO-interoperable and designed for Agile Combat Employment (ACE) operations. Uzbekistan joins an expanding list of C-390 Millennium customers, including Brazil, Portugal, Hungary, South Korea, the Netherlands, Austria, the Czech Republic, Sweden, Slovakia, and Lithuania, according to Embraer.

Drones

Kazakh Military Advances Domestic Drone Production

Kazakhstan’s Airborne Assault Forces (AAF) are establishing an independent production base for unmanned aerial systems (UAS), signaling a strategic shift toward greater self-reliance in military technology. According to the Ministry of Defense, approximately 100 drones have already been assembled and deployed across various branches of the armed forces. Unmanned units were formally established within the AAF two years ago. Since then, military personnel have gained hands-on experience in drone operations and developed in-house capabilities for maintenance, repair, and assembly. This has significantly reduced dependence on foreign supplies and accelerated the integration of unmanned systems into the military structure. A dedicated workshop for the production and servicing of drones began operations in December 2025. Within two months, the facility had launched a full production cycle from hardware assembly and software configuration to testing and delivery. “The 100th drone was recently assembled here,” the Ministry of Defense reported in a statement. The facility is staffed by contract personnel who have completed specialized technical training. All drones undergo mandatory testing before being dispatched to military units. Military experts note that the development of domestic UAV production is driven by the evolving nature of warfare. Recent armed conflicts have underscored the growing role of drones in reconnaissance, fire correction, target designation, and unit coordination. In 2026, systematic training of UAV operators will begin at the AAF’s training center. Instruction will be led by specialists with operational experience across various UAV platforms. Kazakhstan’s UAV units have already seen active deployment during the Desant-2025 military exercises, held from September 2-12, 2025, at the Koktal training ground in the Zhetysu region. More than 3,000 AAF personnel participated in the drills. The military's drone development effort mirrors a broader trend in Kazakhstan, where drones are increasingly used in civilian sectors. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, a pilot project for drone-based delivery services is set to launch in Almaty in 2026. Elsewhere, researchers in East Kazakhstan are employing drones and artificial intelligence to monitor soil and crop conditions, while engineers in Karaganda have unveiled prototypes of safety-enhancing UAVs for public use.

Afghanistan

U.S. Transfers Afghan Black Hawk Helicopters From Uzbekistan to Peru

The United States has transferred UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters from Uzbekistan to Peru, as part of a broader strategy for managing military equipment evacuated from Afghanistan following the collapse of the former Afghan government in 2021, Diplomat.uz reported. The helicopters were initially supplied by the U.S. to the Afghan Air Force and were flown to Uzbekistan by Afghan pilots in August 2021, when the Taliban seized control of Kabul. According to Ukrainian media, the aircraft involved are UH-60A+ Black Hawks that remained outside Afghanistan after the Taliban’s takeover. Reports indicate that nine Black Hawks were delivered to Peru in 2024. In February 2025, an additional seven helicopters were transferred from Central Asia to the U.S., reflecting Washington’s phased approach to reallocating military assets left abroad after the withdrawal from Afghanistan. Defense experts say these transfers are part of a strategic effort to strengthen the capabilities of U.S. partner countries while resolving the status of equipment no longer operable by the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces. The Taliban, now in control of Afghanistan, has repeatedly insisted that all aircraft flown out in 2021 remain the property of Afghanistan and must be returned. On September 10, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed Uzbekistan had agreed to return 57 helicopters, calling the move a step toward rebuilding the country’s air force and improving bilateral relations with Tashkent. Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs swiftly denied the claim. On September 11, ministry spokesperson Ahror Burkhanov stated that reports of an agreement to return the helicopters “do not correspond to reality” and labeled the information as false. Uzbek officials have consistently affirmed that the helicopters are U.S. property and emphasized their role in ensuring the aircraft did not fall into Taliban hands. According to the U.S. Department of Defense, 46 Afghan military aircraft, including Mi-17 and UH-60 helicopters, as well as PC-12, C-208, AC-208, and A-29 fixed-wing planes, were flown to Uzbekistan in 2021. An additional 18 aircraft were relocated to neighboring Tajikistan. Analysts say the ongoing redistribution of former Afghan military assets illustrates unresolved legal and political questions over equipment left behind in the wake of the U.S. withdrawal. The issue continues to influence regional diplomacy and international security calculations more than four years after the fall of the Afghan government.

Military

Food Conditions in the Turkmenistan Army Under Scrutiny

Conscripts returning from military service in Turkmenistan have reported severe food shortages, stark inequality between soldiers and officers, and institutional indifference. Against a backdrop of chronic malnutrition, instances of illness, interpersonal conflict, and even fatalities have been documented. According to former soldiers, food rations in the Turkmen armed forces are grossly inadequate and fall far short of nutritional standards. Daily meals typically consist of boiled pumpkin, stewed cabbage, beets, and rice porridge for breakfast and dinner. Lunch includes a thin soup reportedly containing only "pieces of carrot" and little else. Bread quality is a major concern. Flatbread made from locally sourced flour is often undercooked, forcing conscripts to eat it half-raw, leading to widespread gastrointestinal issues. Meanwhile, soldiers from wealthier families reportedly fare much better. Their relatives send money, which conscripts use to pay canteen cooks for preferential treatment. These soldiers are served separately, receiving meat dishes, salads, fruit, soft drinks, and properly baked bread. In some regions, such as the Balkan region, entrepreneurs have been officially allowed to open cafes near military checkpoints. There, soldiers can purchase rice, samsa, and other local dishes, funded either by family support or their own limited savings. One tragic incident occurred this summer at a base in the Balkan region. A fight broke out outside the canteen when a soldier from a well-off family refused to share his meal. The altercation escalated, ending in the death of one private and a lengthy prison sentence for the other. Discontent is also reportedly growing among officers. Despite earning relatively high salaries for the region, between $860 and $1,140 per month, many do not receive housing, forcing their families to pay substantial rents, which significantly reduces their disposable income. Graduates of the Ministry of Defense’s Military Institute are required to serve a minimum of five years before becoming eligible for discharge. However, approval for resignation remains at the discretion of the command, and with ongoing personnel shortages, such requests are frequently denied.

Joint Military Exercises

Five Countries Complete Large-Scale ‘Birlik-2025’ Military Exercises in Uzbekistan

The multinational military exercises Birlik-2025 ("Unity-2025") have concluded at the Kattakurgan training ground in Uzbekistan’s Samarkand region. The joint maneuvers, which began on October 14, brought together armed forces from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Azerbaijan. According to the Uzbek Ministry of Defense, the drills were among the largest in the history of regional military cooperation. The exercises focused on counterterrorism and defense operations, aiming to enhance interoperability, tactical coordination, and combat readiness among the participating countries. Scenarios included simulated urban warfare, reconnaissance, and joint air-ground operations. Commanders utilized computer modeling and simulation technologies to analyze battlefield decisions and identify optimal tactical responses. These digital tools played a key role in shaping the exercise outcomes and refining strategic planning. [caption id="attachment_37891" align="aligncenter" width="351"] @Ministry of Defense of Uzbekistan[/caption] Observers included the defense ministers of all participating states, along with military representatives from Turkmenistan, who attended in a monitoring capacity. The drills were conducted across more than 20 training grounds in multiple regions of Uzbekistan. In the initial phase, reconnaissance units deployed unmanned aerial vehicles to assess the territory of a hypothetical enemy. This was followed by a special operation to neutralize simulated illegal armed groups in an urban environment. Precision artillery and air strikes were executed by ground forces, while the air forces of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan provided air cover and destroyed critical enemy positions. Combat helicopters and fighter jets demonstrated joint tactical coordination with land-based units. Troops also practiced offensive operations along the defensive line using a range of weapons and military equipment. The multi-stage training format included tasks of varying complexity, replicating conditions of high-intensity conflict. [caption id="attachment_37893" align="aligncenter" width="352"] @Ministry of Defense of Uzbekistan[/caption] According to the Uzbek Ministry of Defense, Birlik-2025 served as a valuable platform for exchanging experience in combating international terrorism, extremism, and armed insurgency. “Joint operations have made it possible to consolidate advanced methods of combat and improve interoperability between units from different countries,” the ministry stated. Following the conclusion of the active phase, participants visited mobile maintenance workshops, command posts, and exhibits showcasing modernized weaponry and defense technologies.

Armed Forces

Survey Reveals What Kazakhstanis Think About the Army and Defense

In September 2025, the research platform Demos.kz conducted a nationwide survey on public perceptions of Kazakhstan’s Armed Forces. When asked about the likelihood of Kazakhstan becoming involved in a military conflict over the next five years, 29.7% of respondents considered the risk very low, 28% rated it as average, 13.2% as rather low, 7.1% as very high, and 6.9% as rather high. Public confidence in the military's capabilities was divided. Some 31.9% of respondents believe the Kazakh army is strong enough to defend the country against external threats, while 35% said it will “more likely be able” to do so. Meanwhile, 15.8% said the army will “most likely not” be able to protect the country, and 10.4% expressed the view that “No, it won't be able to protect it at all”. On the issue of defense partnerships, 29.3% favored strengthening ties with Russia through the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). A further 27.5% supported closer cooperation with NATO members such as the United States or Turkey. Another 22.6% favored working with China via the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), 20% preferred collaboration with neighboring Central Asian countries, and 18.4% advocated for neutrality and minimizing military alliances. Opinion was also split on the preferred army recruitment model. A total of 36.6% supported transitioning to a fully professional, contract-based military. Another 36.5% favored returning to universal compulsory service, while 17.7% supported retaining the current mixed system. According to Kazakhstan’s 2025-2027 state budget, the country plans to allocate 2.7 trillion KZT ($5.2 billion) to defense and law enforcement in 2025. The Finance Ministry reported that military spending from January to July 2025 amounted to 544.4 billion KZT, down 8.8% from the same period in 2024. Last year, Kazakhstan’s defense budget totaled approximately 1.3 trillion KZT. Over the past three years, Kazakhstan has steadily increased defense spending. According to media reports, the defense budget stood at $1.2 billion in 2023 and $1.1 billion in 2022.