Russia and Uzbekistan intend to sign an agreement on a program of arms modernization, including aviation, air defense, and ground forces. This was announced by the head of the Russian Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation Dmitry Shugaev, TASS reports.
According to the speaker, the interaction between Russia and Uzbekistan within the framework of military-technical cooperation will touch upon air defense systems.
“On the agenda is the conclusion of an agreement on the rearmament program. In any case, it will affect the air force air defense, and land equipment. A wide enough nomenclature – we will discuss, further develop, and help our colleagues,” the head of FSVTS said.
Earlier, Uzbek president Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed a decree implying the creation of a state commission to equip the Armed Forces of the republic by March 2024.
About 70,000 people serve in the army of Uzbekistan. The army has 28 brigades, 340 T-62, T-64, and T-72 tanks, and 530 armored vehicles (BMPs, APCs, BRDMs, as well as Turkish and Western Cougar, Ejder Yalcin, Maxxpro+, Typhoon). Defense spending has been steadily increasing, estimated at $797 million for the current year. Uzbekistan left the CSTO in 2012, so it relies on assistance not from Russia, but from Turkey and other foreign partners.
