Five allied countries hold joint military exercises in Samarkand

At the “Kattakurgan” training ground of Uzbekistan’s Central Military District, the regional joint exercise “Unity–2025” was conducted, and today, October 21, its main active phase concluded, the Ministry of Defense reported.

According to the ministry, the exercises involved units from the defense ministries of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, and the Republic of Azerbaijan. During the drills, participants jointly completed a series of complex and demanding tactical tasks.

The decisions made by the commanders participating in the “Unity–2025” regional joint exercise were first tested using modeling and simulation tools, after which the most effective options were implemented in practice.

The exercises were observed by Uzbekistan’s Minister of Defense, Lieutenant General Shukhrat Kholmukhamedov, as well as the defense ministers of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Joint field exercises were conducted simultaneously across several locations. At the initial stage, reconnaissance operations were carried out using unmanned aerial vehicles to study the area where the mock enemy was positioned. Later, a special operation was organized to capture and eliminate illegal armed groups in an urban setting. At the same time, the units carried out precise strikes on designated targets.

Additionally, artillery and air forces provided alternating fire support to the ground units. In particular, fighter jets and combat helicopters belonging to the air forces of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan targeted key facilities of the simulated enemy.

“Uzbek, Kazakh, Kyrgyz, Tajik, and Azerbaijani servicemen, standing side by side on the defense line, acted as one and delivered powerful strikes on designated targets using all types of weapons and military equipment. During the joint tactical operations carried out at more than 20 training sites, the servicemen demonstrated a high level of combat readiness and achieved strong results,” the report said.

These exercises provided an opportunity to strengthen peace and security, combat global threats such as international terrorism and extremism, and exchange and consolidate advanced counterterrorism practices among the participating countries.

After the exercises, the guests visited a mobile military repair workshop, the command post of a brigade tactical group, and inspected modernized defense industry equipment. The delegations were also briefed on the training facilities at the “Kattakurgan” field range, which are designed to further enhance the professional skills of personnel, deepen their knowledge of combat tactics, and refine operational methods and techniques.

At the conclusion of “Unity–2025,” servicemen who actively participated in the exercises were awarded certificates, medals, and commemorative gifts.

“In conclusion, the regional cooperation event ‘Unity–2025’ not only enhanced the combat readiness and coordination of the participating troops but also contributed to strengthening friendship, solidarity, and mutual trust. The exercise further reinforced friendly relations among the armed forces of the allied nations and served as an important practical step toward ensuring regional security and stability,” the report stated.

It is worth noting that earlier, in Samarkand, the defense ministers of the Central Asian states met to discuss the implementation of joint initiatives in the field of regional security.