The process of strengthening and development of the Armed Forces is carried out in the country basing on the provisions of the Constitution, the National Security Concept, the Defense Doctrine and comprehensive analysis of rapidly changing socio-political situation, external and internal challenges and threats to the security of the country. As the practical guide for actions plays the long-term comprehensive program of reforming the army, based on new principles of construction and organization of the Armed Forces.

President of the Republic of Uzbekistan - the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces - Islam Karimov in 2011 in his festive greeting to the defenders of the Motherland on the occasion of the 19th anniversary of the Armed Forces of Uzbekistan has summed up, "Today Uzbekistan has a modern, small in number, mobile, well-trained national army capable to resolve effectively the tactical and strategic objectives to ensure the security, territorial integrity and inviolability of county’s borders, and to protect the peaceful life of our people." The President also noted that the country has established a new system of commanding the Armed Forces, which meets the most up-to-date requirements and the requirements of possible theater of military operations in the region.

A lot has been done over the past years in modernization and retrofitting the military units with modern weaponry, equipment, communications and personal protection facilities. Taking into consideration the development priorities of the Armed Forces, the emphasis is being done on modernization and acquisition of new types of air defense systems and helicopters, armored vehicles, artillery systems, anti-aircraft missiles, multiple rocket launchers, modern precision weapons, special means and techniques of individual and group protection, including those against radiation, chemical and biological weapons.

The most important task in the Armed Forces’ development is to continue to create modern, mobile, well armed and equipped with new weapons army. In the heart of all undertaken actions lies a systematic and in-depth analysis of the contemporary challenges and threats to the security in the region, identifying the trends and assessing possible consequences of their development in the medium and long-term perspectives, observing and calculating characteristics of a possible theater of military operations, abandonment of obsolete routine approaches, the critical assessing of our armed forces’ readiness to adequately and effectively address any attacks on the security and stability of the country.

Over the last twenty years, the country paid much attention to the improvement of effectiveness of command and close coordination among all branches of Armed Forces; providing efficient interaction among different military units at strategic, operational and tactical levels; readiness to repel and neutralize any attempts of intrusion and violation of our borders. In this context, there have been profound changes in the organization of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Military districts, border regions and task forces have been established in key areas at the initial stage of their development. Air Force and Air-Defense Forces were merged. The new structure of organizing-stuff number was elaborated. The composition of the Armed Forces was optimized. Squads, company, regiments, auxiliary command posts and other ineffective units were liquidated. It allowed radically restructuring the vertical of army command, increasing the units’ mobility, operability and firepower. And what is most important it ensures the independence and responsibility of the commanders at all levels.

The abolition of cumbersome and out of date formations and multistage control systems radically transformed the face of the army. Our military might, fighting strength, mobility of combat units and their sub-unit, the readiness to conduct transient local operations, the ability to repel any aggressor, attempting to encroach into our country’s borders or to invade its territory have increased immeasurably.

The reorganizing of the General Stuff into the Joint Stuff of Armed Forces became an important step in improving the republic’s high military-education institutions. It combined the major force structures, allowed to create the defense complex of the country, united with single goals and objectives; it also became a think tank of training, operational and strategic management and planning, organization of operational use of the troops. In current conditions, the Joint Stuff of Armed Forces, the command and the headquarters of military districts should pursue a preemptive tactic and to focus on discovering vulnerable areas of the defense system, to develop and rehearse during exercises effective security systems. Today, life itself requires more extensive use of modern information and communication technologies in command, planning and use of the Armed Forces, the integration of information tools in management and of systems for military communication, establishing a single digital network of communication.

The efficiency of combat training is increased significantly. The transition process toward professional, contract based army is almost completed. The material-technical base of high military education institutions and of military schools for sergeant training has been improved significantly, now they are equipped with modern computer technologies, communication and information facilities; the lessons are conducted according to modern teaching resource. All this allows one to prepare and train the commander officers and sergeants of the new generation, capable to implement unusual and effective solutions in any situation.

The conduct of command-stuff, tactical, tactical-special exercises and training, revision of the whole individual and group training remains the most important task of the series of measures aimed at the improvement of the interaction among all branches of troops at all levels. Practicing various models and ways of interaction among border troops and regiments of the Defense Ministry, attack helicopters, special operations forces and other branches of troops engaged in joint operations is an indispensable training during all maneuvers. The commanders of military districts have independence and self-sufficiency in quick addressing the challenges or threats arising within established areas.

All this made possible to increase military might, fighting potential of the army, to rise mobility of combat units and sub-units, and increased their readiness to conduct swift local operations.

The strength of an army is defined not only by the combat readiness, mobility or the presence of latest weaponry, but also by its manning with professionally trained personnel, with officers, sergeants and the ranks who possess high spiritual and moral qualities, have active life position and strong convictions, and hold sense of responsibility for the fate of the motherland.

Thus, the most important component of military reform is to improve the system of continuous training and retraining of officers and sergeants, which can ensure the preparation of highly analytical and strategically-minded military professionals who can skillfully plan military actions, competently manage sub-units and maintain healthy moral and psychological atmosphere in them.

The training of the officers is carried out at the Tashkent Combined Arms Command High School, the Chirchik Tank Command-Engineering High School, the Jizzakh Military Aviation High School, the Samarkand Military Automobile Command-Engineering High School, and at special department of the Tashkent University of Information Technology. The training and education of future officers in the military schools are built on an entirely new, up-to-date training, technical methods and moral ethical basis.

Much attention is paid to further equipping military educational institutions and schools of preparation sergeants with the most modern training facilities including facilities for modeling and simulation, computer technologies and training ground equipment. The teaching process is based on modern educational programs, containing subjects and specialties reflecting the main trends in military affairs, the modern experience of limited swift operations and battles. The theoretical education is bond with practical training in the army, and is closely linked to the daily, service-combat life of the troops.

The officers, who hit their stride during the service, pass further training at the Academy of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Uzbekistan, founded in 1994. The Academy conducts the military-scientific work on defense construction, the development of military education in the country. Training is also made at High courses of training and retraining of command staff.

Currently, there are many soldiers in the army who were trained at schools of sergeants training.

 The reforming of conscription became an important part in creating mobile professional army. It still provides massive training of young boys to fulfill the duties of the Law "On Universal Military Duty and Military Service." Moreover, it has been greatly enhanced its role as an important mechanism for recruiting young staff with high moral values and professional training, ready to fulfill their duty to defend the country.

The reduction of the enlistment to one year period, the introduction of the mobilization conscription reserve, once a year contest based recruiting process, the increase in army of soldiers who serve under contracts - all these allowed to fundamentally change the system of training and education of military personnel and changed the public attitude toward military service. It improved the overall readiness of the Army.

Only the best trained young men with high level of general education knowledge and good physical training are selected to the military service. The tests include a complete medical examination, interview, written test and check of the physical fitness.

In the mobilization conscription reserve young people have the possibility to obtain the necessary initial military training and get hardening, to feel their usefulness for life. Upon reaching the age of twenty-seven, those citizens who have already passed service in the mobilization conscription enter the reserve list of the Armed Forces.

In modern conditions, only well trained, fully equipped and socially secured Armed Forces can become a reliable guarantee for the security, inviolability of borders and the integrity of the country, protect peace and tranquility of people. Therefore, the country deliberately does a great job to socially protect its servicemen and their families. The implementation of the governmental program providing servicemen with housing and modern medical care has significantly improved their welfare and living conditions.

For example, in accordance with the state Program of providing servicemen with housing, in each military district’s camps, which are now being established, there is the construction of high-rise housing with all amenities for military servicemen and their families. All elements of cultural needs, everyday necessities and medical infrastructure like shops, clinics, kindergartens and parks are provided during the construction processes.

In the last five years, the salaries for military ranks and dismissal retirement wages have increased more than ten times. The material and moral stimulation of persons who have completed military service, including the establishment of public benefits to enroll in higher education institutions, providing practical assistance during applying for a job have contributed to the increase of the prestige of military service in the society.

Every young man who has served statutory service receives cash benefit of 16 minimum wages. This, together with social programs assistance in employment and adaptation to civilian life helps young men to find their place in the society.

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Transformations in the Armed Forces of Uzbekistan have produced in the country fundamentally new model of the national army. It has strengthened its position as the school of spiritual, physical and civil maturity of youth. It breeds younger generation with high spiritual and moral values, active life position and strong sense of patriotism and responsibility for the fate of Homeland, its independence and security. The alterations have also contributed to the establishment of the army as an effective national security shield in modern conditions.

Motorcar mechanics greatly contribute to the mobility of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Uzbekistan. We are engaged in the repair and modernization of military vehicles of various modifications.

The automobile fleet’s combat readiness is primarily maintained by our factory. Gatherings of auto repair specialists from different military units of the Armed Forces are being conducted on the basis of our factory. These classes enable more consistent care of the hardware among various services, which were entrusted to its exploitation.

High quality of our team’s performance in assigned tasks is guaranteed by long history and multifarious experience of our plant workers in this field.  For example, I often had to organize the work of mobile auto repair shops in remote garrisons, to solve unusual challenges in this sphere.

Currently, there is a solid process of air units’ rearmament; the existing hardware is being replaced by new models. However, much attention is paid to the modernization of the existing equipment on the industrial capacities of the Ministry of Defense.

Experienced engineers solve complicated problems of adaptation and improvement of the equipments’ performance in various environments. Recently, I was involved in the adjustment of internal lighting equipment in the cockpit to conduct flights with night vision devices.

Great attention is paid to training and educating new generation of military pilots, to the enhancement of their professional skills and trouble-free operation under various conditions.

The students of our mountain training department have always shown good results in national review. For example, last year, our guys have been recognized the best in mountain training; they also took prize-winning places in the competition among snipers. And just recently they won Cadet Winter Olympics in survival.

To us, it's not just a victory on contests, its evaluation of teaching experience. We must be at our best, because our department is the methodical center on mountain preparation of high military educational institutions of the Ministry of Defense and in sergeants training schools; we should provide further improvement of the entire infrastructure of the mountain training in the Armed Forces of the country.

All teachers at the department have served in the Armed Forces and have vocational education. For example I, after serving the conscription I remained in the army to serve under contract and has mastered many military specialties: I was shot-firer in special mission unit, then I was a specialist in communication, then I was sniper in reconnaissance platoon and the commander’s assistant for material support. Without separation from the service, in 2007 I graduated from Jizzakh Polytechnic Institute. This school has become solid background in my present career.

Today, physically sturdy and strong guys enlist to the army, and our duty is to create conditions for their further development. And evidently, we succeed. The cadets show good results not only in fighting and physical training, but also in international sport arena. Among our students we have Uzbekistan’s first world champion in judo - Lt. Rishod Sobirov, and world champion in Kurash – Lance sergeant Ramziddin Saidov.

For several years our school among the winners of the mass sports work show in the Armed Forces. In Championship of the Defense Ministry our school has often been among the strongest. For example, our guys won weight lifting championship.

 Physically strong military is one of the most important factor in flawless performance of the most difficult tasks for the protection of the homeland, set by command.

My victory in the prestigious Armed Forces contest is the assessment of the daily activity of my team. A commander – it is not only executive position, but also the duty to be example for the rest in craftsmanship, professional growth, active participation in public events.

In addition to intensive combat training and professional development, I always actively participated in regular competitions for the name of the best specialist. During the contests, together with general physical qualifying standards and firing we work upon artillery practicing. By this way I got to the final stage of the competition, conducted across regiments of the Defense Ministry. Single standards were estimated here.

It always pleasing to see that your colleagues are also trying to follow your example. Because it means that the goal of the commander has been reached.

I have a passion for horses from my childhood. In my native village, in the Khorezm region, I rode my father's stallion. Frankly speaking, then I could not imagine to myself, that this skill will be useful to me in the army.

Prior to joining the army I thought that I know all about horses. But in fact, as it turned out to be, I did not. I have learned in the army that even in this age of rapid science and technology development when the monitoring at each frontier post is done through electronics, the horse is still indispensable.

 It is a pity that only few months have left before the end of my service in the army. But already today, each time when I dismount from horse Kamron, after finishing my tasks, I think about continuation of my military service under the contract. I have already noticed my parents about the decision and they have blessed it.

It is a special honor for me to be a cadet. My father, Major Abdikarim Khamraev, died in 2000. My father is the example not only for me but also for my comrades in the service and for the boys who dream about military career. In 1995 he was awarded with the medal "Jasorat," and in 1999 with the Order "Shon Sharaf," of the second degree.

The School is my first step toward the realization of my dream of serving in the Armed Forces of the Republic of Uzbekistan. To reach it, I was "excellent" student in the Department of Kurash at the Republican College of Olympic Reserve, I learned computer technologies and I have studied in an Academic Lyceum.

My dream is to actively participate in the implementation of modern high-tech security devices in the Armed Forces of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

I have been serving in The National Army since its first days of creation. In recent years, my service tasks are constantly growing. Now, I am engaged not only with my main duties, but also I share my experience with the younger generation of military personnel.

Before the beginning of this school year, I was asked to take part in educational and methodical meeting of the sergeants in the scale of the whole Armed Forces. I remember with what great interest and attention the audience listened to my speech. I spoke and showed how to organize the provision of military vehicles with fuel in the field avoiding losses during filling. Upon completion of my speech, the listeners bombarded me with various questions.

Today, educational activities have become an integral part of my daily work. Each day I advise the young on how to perform tasks set by command. I help soldiers of statutory service during their military formation, and in general, in addressing different life situations.