Armed Forces of Turkmenistan

Template:Short description Template:Distinguish Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox national military The Armed Forces of Turkmenistan (Template:Langx), known informally as the Turkmen National Army (Template:Langx) is the national military of Turkmenistan. It consists of the Ground Forces, the Air Force and Air Defense Forces, Navy, and other independent formations (etc. Border Troops, Internal Troops and National Guard).

History

Beginnings

After the fall of the Soviet Union, significant elements of the Soviet Armed Forces Turkestan Military District remained on Turkmen soil, including several motor rifle divisions. From V.I. Feskov et al. 2013 and Michael Holm's data, it appears that the three divisions were the 58th, 88th, and 209th District Training Centre (former 61 Training MRD) at Ashkhabad.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In June 1992, the new Russian government signed a bilateral defense treaty with Turkmenistan, encouraging the new Turkmen government to create its own armed forces but stipulating that they were to be placed under joint command.<ref>Stephen Foye, 'Russian-Turkmen Defense Accord,' RFE/RL Daily Report, no. 109, (10 June 1992), p.1, via Janne E. Nolan (ed.), Global Engagement, Brookings, Washington D.C., 1994, p. 369.</ref>

The United States Library of Congress Country Studies said that 'the Treaty on Joint Measures signed by Russia and Turkmenistan in July 1992 provided for the Russian Federation to act as guarantor of Turkmenistan's security and made former Soviet army units in the republic the basis of the new national armed forces. The treaty stipulated that, apart from border troops and air force and air defense units remaining under Russian control, the entire armed forces would be under joint command, which would gradually devolve to exclusive command by Turkmenistan over a period of ten years. For a transitional period of five years, Russia would provide logistical support and pay Turkmenistan for the right to maintain special installations, while Turkmenistan would bear the costs of housing, utilities, and administration.'

The Centre for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies's Moscow Defence Brief said that in 1992–93 Turkmenistan attempted to create a small national armed force based on the former Soviet 52nd Army, which was located in the country and depended on support from Russia. Of the 300 formations and units, numbering 110,000 people, 200 were transferred to the command of Turkmenistan, 70 remained under Russia's jurisdiction, and 30 were either withdrawn or demobilized.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In 1994, the chief of staff and first deputy minister of defense was Major General Annamurat Soltanov, a career officer who had served in Cuba and Afghanistan; another deputy minister of defense, Major General Begdzhan Niyazov, had been a law enforcement administrator prior to his appointment. Russian commanders included Major General Viktor Zavarzin, chief of staff and first deputy commander of the Separate Combined-Arms Army of Turkmenistan, and commander of the Separate Combined-Arms Army of Turkmenistan and deputy minister of defense Lieutenant General Nikolai Kormiltsev. Russian Major General Vladislav Shunevich served together with Turkmen Major General Akmurad Kabulov as joint commanders of the border troops in the Turkmen Border Guard. Under a 1993 bilateral military cooperation treaty, some 2,000 Russian officers served in Turkmenistan on contract, and border forces (about 5,000 in 1995) are under joint Russian and Turkmenistani command. Altogether, about 11,000 Russian troops remained in Turkmenistan in mid-1996.'<ref>Glenn E. Curtis (ed.), Russia: A Country study, Federal Research Division, Library of Congress, research completed July 1996 (Chapter 9)</ref>

Military policy of Niyazov

Turkmenistan's military is considered to be the most neutral of all former republics of the Soviet Union. The country's military did not sign the Tashkent Treaty in May 1992,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> becoming an observer in the Council of Ministers of Defense of the CIS. Turkmenistan's first military doctrine was adopted in 1994 enforcing this.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The neutral policy of Turkmenistan was also emphasized in relation to the 1996 Afghan War, maintaining an even relationship with both the Taliban and the Afghan government.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Following the September 11 terrorist attacks, coalition troops did not appear on Turkmen territory. President Niyazov refused to provide the German government with a base to store German aircraft, arguing that the country intends to continue to follow the principles of neutrality.

In 2002, a "labor army" was created by Niyazov's orders which saw the creation of specialized labor military units. Soldiers in these units began to be sent from military units to enterprises, construction sites and hospitals as cheap labor, being removed from the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Defense.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Since 2006

Jane's Information Group said in 2009 that "Turkmenistan's military is, even by the standards of Central Asia, poorly maintained and funded."<ref>Josh Kucera, 'Centre of Attention: Central Asia,' Jane's Defence Weekly, 14 October 2009</ref>

Weeks after he was inaugurated for a first term, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov announced his decision to endorse the country's second military doctrine, officially declaring neutrality and stating that the border with Afghanistan will be a national security priority. In 2016, a new military doctrine was adopted by Berdimuhamedov.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In November 2018, President Berdimuhamedov reiterated this at a session of the State Security Council.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Military hierarchy

State Security Council

Template:Main

Defense Ministry

The Ministry of Defense of Turkmenistan is a government agency of the armed forces which is the executive body in implementing defense policies in Turkmenistan. It was founded in January 1992 with the assistance of the Russian Armed Forces. Most of the original employees were retired Soviet officials in the Communist Party of the Turkmen SSR.

General Staff

Structure

Land Forces Command
Department of the Missile Forces and Artillery
Department of the Air Force and Air Defense Forces Command
Department of Communication Troops
Department of Engineering Troops
Department of training specialists for the Armed Forces of Turkmenistan
Department of Specialized Formations

List of Chiefs of Staff

Template:Main The Chief of the General Staff of Turkmen Armed Forces is the highest-ranking military officer in the military, being responsible for maintaining the operational command of the military and its three major branches.

Military organization

The territorial Armed Forces of Turkmenistan are divided into 5 military districts in accordance with the administrative division of the country into 5 regions:<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Ahal Military District
Balkan Military District
Dashoguz Military District
Lebap Military District
Mary Military District

Each military district includes district military command and control bodies, military units, individual military units and subunits, military commissariats of etraps and cities with etrap rights. The Territorial Defence Troops of Turkmenistan also serve regional purposes.

Ground Forces

File:Independence Day Parade - Flickr - Kerri-Jo (66).jpg

T-90SA and T-72UMG units.

The Turkmen Ground Forces inherited several motor rifle divisions from the Soviet Armed Forces Turkestan Military District, forming the basis for the branch. Among them was the 58th Motor Rifle Division at Kyzyl-Arvat.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Today the ground forces include the 2nd, 3rd, 11th, and 22nd Motor Rifle Divisions.<ref name="V777T">Vad777, Turkmenistan Template:Webarchive</ref> The 11th Motor Rifle Division "Sultan Sanjar" is the former Soviet 88th Motor Rifle Division, with its headquarters at Kushka/Serhetabat. It was reported in January 2007 that on the Caspian Sea and the coastal zone to a depth of 350 kilometers, and on the Turkmen-Iranian border is located about 90% of the Army (22nd Motorized Division on the Caspian coast, 2nd and 3rd motorized divisions on the Turkmen-Iranian border, 11th Motorized Division on the Tajik-Afghan border).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The number of vehicles is around 2,000, the number of tanks is around 700 and the number of artillery pieces is around 560.<ref name="fas">Template:Cite web</ref> Turkmen ground forces equipment includes 702 T-72,<ref name="IISS">Template:Cite book</ref> and 10 T-90, ordered in 2009 for approximately $30 million.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> AIFV / APC include BTR-60/BTR-70/BTR-80 - 829,<ref name="IISS" /> BMP-1/BMP-2 - 930,<ref name="IISS" /> BRM-1 12, and BRDM-2 - 170. In 2021 Turkmenistan is to receive batch of Lazar 3 8x8 armored vehicle from Serbia.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Air Force

Template:See The IISS in 2012 said the Air Force had 3,000 personnel with 94 combat capable aircraft.<ref>IISS 2012 p.290</ref> The total number of aircraft is around 120.<ref name="fas"/> It said there were two fighter/ground attack squadrons with MiG-29/MiG-29UB (total of 24 both types), Sukhoi Su-17 Fitter-Bs (65) and two Sukhoi Su-25 Frogfoots (with 41 more being refurbished). It reported one transport squadron with Antonov An-26 'Curl' (1), and Mi-8s and Mi-24s (8 and 10 listed in service respectively). Training units had Sukhoi Su-7 Fitter-As (3 listed in service) and L-39 Albatross. Air defence missile units had SA-2, SA-3, and SA-5

File:Turkmenistan Air Force Antonov An-74TK-200 at Kharkiv Airport.jpeg

A Turkmenistan Antonov An-74TK-200

Units:

99th Aviation Base (former 67th Mixed Aviation Regiment) (Mary-2 airbase) with MiG-29 and Su-25.<ref name=V777T/>
47th Separate Mixed Aviation Squadron (Аk-Tepe/Ashkabad) with Аn-26/24, Mi-24 and Mi-8.
107th Fighter Aviation Regiment (Ak-Tepe) with 38 MiG-23 and 20 MiG-25 (not operational).
31st Separate Aviation Squadron (Chardzhou/Turkmenabad) with MiG-21, Su-7, L-39, Yak-28 and Аn-12 (not operational). Former 366th Independent Helicopter Squadron.
55th Fighter Aviation Regiment (Balkanabat) with MiG-23М (not operational). Former 179th Fighter Aviation Regiment.
56th Storage Base (Kyzyl-Arvat) with MiG-23. Former 217th Fighter/Bomber Aviation Regiment.
1st Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiment 'Turkmenbashi' (Bikrova/Ashkabad) with 2K11 Krug.
2nd Radio-Technical Brigade

Naval Forces

File:Flag of the Turkmenistan Naval Forces.svg

Flag of the Turkmen Navy

The Turkmen naval forces are currently directed by the defense ministry and consist of around 700 servicemen and sixteen patrol boats.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The Congressional Research Service, citing the International Institute for Strategic Studies, reports a number of six patrol boats.<ref name="fas"/>

The International Institute for Strategic Studies reported in 2007 that Turkmenistan intended to form a navy and had a minor base at Turkmenbashy with one USCG Point class cutter and five Kalkan-class patrol vessels.<ref name=IISS /> Jane's Fighting Ships 2001-2002 reported that the Point-class cutter was the Merjin, PB-129, (ex Point Jackson, 82378), which was transferred on 30 May 2000.

The country acquired four missile boats in 2011.<ref name="fas"/> In 2014 it acquired 10 Tuzla-class patrol boats which were all delivered by 2015.

In 2012, Turkmenistan announced its first naval exercises in the Caspian Sea programmed for early September. Named Hazar-2012 (Hazar is the Turkic name of the Caspian Sea), these tactical exercises came after a summer of somewhat heightened tensions with Azerbaijan over natural gas fields in a contested part of the sea.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Other security forces

Türkmen Edermen

Template:Main The Special Task Force "Türkmen Edermen" (Valiant Turkmen in English) is a composite military unit drawn from the armed forces and national law enforcement agencies such as the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the State Border Service, and the Ministry for National Security.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Presidential Security Service

File:Independence Day Parade - Flickr - Kerri-Jo (51).jpg

A vehicle of the security service in 2011

The Presidential Security Service (Template:Langx) is responsible for ensuring the protection and security of the president. Established in November 1990, it is a directly reporting body of the President of Turkmenistan and not part of the Ministry of Defense.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> During state visits to foreign countries, the service provides at least 10 agents to protect the president.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The Presidential Security Service is currently composed of 2,000 employees.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Border Guard

The State Border Service of Turkmenistan is a public service department in the government of the country and is under the command of the Ministry for National Security of Turkmenistan. The main tasks of the service include the following: protecting of the national border of the country, combating international terrorism and drug trafficking, targeting illegal migration and human trafficking, and protecting oil and gas platforms and pipelines in the Caspian Sea. The head of the service is a member of the Council of Border Guard Commanders of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Internal Troops

The Internal Troops is under the auspices of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. It is designed to maintain law and order and enforce the status quo in terms of state sovereignty. It aides the Turkmen National Police in its everyday activities, being organized similarly to the ground forces.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Equipment

Military equipment of the Armed Forces of Turkmenistan
Name	Photo	Origin	In service	Notes
Tanks
T-72 'Ural' Early	File:Głębokie T-72 02.jpg	Template:USSR	N/A	<ref name=":2">Template:Cite web</ref>
T-72 'Ural' Late	File:Kampfpanzer T 72.JPG		N/A	<ref name=":2" />
T-72A Early	File:ParkPatriot2015part2-19.jpg		N/A	<ref name=":2" />
T-72A Late	File:T-72A - Patriot Museum, Kubinka (37756848074).jpg		N/A	<ref name=":2" />
T-72AV	File:T-72AV.jpg		N/A	<ref name=":2" />
T-72UMG		Template:UKR	N/A	<ref name=":2" />
T-90S	File:Independence Day Parade - Flickr - Kerri-Jo (66).jpg	Template:RUS	N/A	<ref name=":2" />
Armoured Fighting Vehicles
BRDM-2	File:Bulgaria BRDM-2 04.jpg	Template:USSR	N/A	<ref name=":2" />
Infantry Fighting Vehicles
BMP-1(P)	File:Głębokie BMP-1 01.jpg	Template:USSR	N/A	<ref name=":2" />
BMP-1U 'Shkval'	File:BMP-1U.JPG	Template:UKR	N/A	<ref name=":2" />
BMP-2 Obr. 1980	File:BMP-2 NVA.JPG	Template:USSR	N/A	<ref name=":2" />
BMP-2D	File:BMP-2D IFV.jpg	Template:USSR	N/A	<ref name=":2" />
BMP-3	File:BMP-3 (1).jpg	Template:RUS	N/A	<ref name=":2" />
BTR-80A	File:BTR-80A(2).JPG	Template:RUS	N/A	<ref name=":2" />
BTR-80U 'Grom'		Template:UKR	N/A	<ref name=":2" />
Lazar-3	File:Lazar 3 30mm - Partner 2019 - 1.jpg	Template:Flag	N/A	[Ministry for National Security].<ref name=":2" />
Armoured Personnel Carriers
BTR-70	File:BTR-70 APCs, Tiraspol 2015.JPG	Template:USSR	N/A	<ref name=":2" />
BTR-80	File:BTR-80 (4716854356).jpg	Template:USSR	N/A	<ref name=":2" />
Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) Vehicles
KamAZ-63968 Typhoon	File:KamAZ-63968 Typhoon - Engineering technologies 2012 (10).jpg	Template:RUS	N/A	<ref name=":2" />
BMC Kirpi	File:KirpiII.jpg	Template:Flag	N/A	[State Border Service and Ground Forces].<ref name=":2" />
BMC Vuran	File:Türk Kara Kuvvetleri'ne ait BMC Vuran.jpg	Template:Flag	N/A	[State Border Service].<ref name=":2" />
Infantry Mobility Vehicles
Otokar Ural		Template:Flag	N/A	[Ministry of Internal Affairs].<ref name=":2" />
Otokar Cobra	File:Kosovo Army Otokar Cobra.jpg		N/A	[State Border Service].<ref name=":2" />
BMC Amazon			N/A	[State Border Service].<ref name=":2" />
INKAS Titan-DS		Template:Flag	N/A	[State Border Service and Ground Forces].<ref name=":2" />
NIMR Ajban 440A			N/A	<ref name=":2" />
NIMR Ajban LRSOV			N/A	<ref name=":2" />
Al Shibl 2		Template:Flag	N/A	<ref name=":2" />
Plasan StormRider		Template:Flag	N/A	[Ministry for National Security].<ref name=":2" />
IMI CombatGuard	File:שומר ראש עם חץ זוהר.jpg	Template:Flag	N/A	<ref name=":2" />
Bars	File:Independence Day Parade - Flickr - Kerri-Jo (51).jpg	Template:BLR	N/A	<ref name=":2" />
Iveco LMV	File:Iveco LMV (5118406662).jpg	Template:Flag	N/A	[Ministry for National Security].<ref name=":2" />
PMV Survivor II	File:Achleitner Survivor-II.jpg	Template:Flag	N/A	[State Border Service and Ministry of Internal Affairs].<ref name=":2" />
KLTV	File:Kia KLTV at ADAS 2018.jpg	Template:Flag	N/A	[State Border Service].<ref name=":2" />
Dongfeng EQ2050	File:Dongfeng EQ2050 Xiamen 01 2019-10-25.jpg	Template:Flag	N/A	<ref name=":2" />
Tactical Vehicles And Technicals
Polaris DAGOR		Template:Flag	N/A	<ref name=":2" />
Polaris MRZR	File:Special Warefare Command MRZR - Aviation Nation 2019.jpg		N/A	<ref name=":2" />
Polaris MV850 ATV 4x4	File:Polaris WV850 H.O. ATV (17763784390).jpg		N/A	<ref name=":2" />
Polaris MV850 ATV 6x6	File:Rear of a Polaris 6x6 ATV at the Treloar Technology Centre September 2016.jpg		N/A	<ref name=":2" />
Toyota Land Cruiser	File:TOYOTA LAND CRUISER 200 China (3).jpg	Template:Flag	N/A	<ref name=":2" />
Combat Engineering Vehicle
IMR-2(M)	File:IMR engineering vehicle ( Military-historical Museum of Artillery, Engineer and Signal Corps).jpg	Template:USSR	N/A	<ref name=":2" />
Bridgelayer
MTU-55	File:Parola Tank Museum 194 - T-55 MTU-20 (26793862919).jpg	Template:USSR	N/A	<ref name=":2" />
Tracked Amphibious Transport
PTS-2	File:PTS-2 - RaceofHeroes-part2-35.jpg	Template:USSR	N/A	<ref name=":2" />
Minelayer
GMZ-3	File:GMZ-3 minelayer vehicle at Engineering Technologies 2012.jpg	Template:USSR	N/A	<ref name=":2" />
Chemical Cleaning Vehicle
TMS-65U	File:Decontamination heating machine TMS-65U during the "Armiya 2020" exhibition (front view).jpg	Template:USSR	N/A	<ref name=":2" />
Self-Propelled Anti-Tank Missile Systems
9P133 Malyutka	File:Independence Day Parade - Flickr - Kerri-Jo (56).jpg	Template:USSR	N/A	<ref name=":2" />
9P149 Shturm-S	File:9P149 vehicle with 9M144 missiles of anti-tank complex «Shturm-S» in Military-historical Museum of Artillery, Engineer and Signal Corps in Saint-Petersburg, Russia.jpg	Template:USSR	N/A	<ref name=":2" />
Caracal Shershen-Q	File:Independence Day Parade - Flickr - Kerri-Jo (55).jpg	Template:BLR	N/A	<ref name=":2" />
Towed Artillery
100mm MT-12	File:Image unavailable.png	Template:USSR	N/A	<ref name=":2" />
122mm D-30	File:Image unavailable.png		N/A	<ref name=":2" />
152mm D-20	File:Image unavailable.png		N/A	<ref name=":2" />
152mm 2A65 Msta-B	File:Image unavailable.png		N/A	<ref name=":2" />
152mm 2A36 Giatsint-B	File:Image unavailable.png		N/A	<ref name=":2" />
Self-Propelled Artillery
122mm 2S1 Gvozdika	File:Independence Day Parade - Flickr - Kerri-Jo (71).jpg	Template:USSR	N/A	<ref name=":2" />
152mm 2S3 Akatsiya	File:Independence Day Parade - Flickr - Kerri-Jo (72).jpg	Template:USSR	N/A	<ref name=":2" />
Multiple Rocket Launchers
122mm 9P122 'Grad-P'	File:Image unavailable.png	Template:USSR	N/A	<ref name=":2" />
122mm BM-21 'Grad'	File:Independence Day Parade - Flickr - Kerri-Jo (77).jpg	Template:USSR	N/A	<ref name=":2" />
122mm BM-21A BelGrad	File:Independence Day Parade - Flickr - Kerri-Jo (78) (cropped).jpg	Template:BLR	N/A	[State Border Service and Ground Forces].<ref name=":2" />
122mm RM-70	File:Image unavailable.png	Template:Flag	N/A	<ref name=":2" />
220mm BM-27 Uragan	File:Independence Day Parade - Flickr - Kerri-Jo (79).jpg	Template:USSR	N/A	<ref name=":2" />
300mm BM-30 Smerch	File:Image unavailable.png	Template:RUS	N/A	<ref name=":2" />
Artillery Rockets
9K52 Luna-M	File:Image unavailable.png	Template:USSR	N/A	(Likely to have been decommissioned).<ref name=":2" />
Ballistic Missiles
R-17 Scud-B	File:Image unavailable.png	Template:USSR	N/A	(Likely to have been decommissioned),<ref name=":2" />
(Self-Propelled) Anti-Aircraft Guns
23mm ZU-23	File:Image unavailable.png	Template:USSR	N/A	[State Border Service and Ground Forces].<ref name=":2" />
23mm ZSU-23-4 Shilka	File:Image unavailable.png	Template:USSR	N/A	<ref name=":2" />
Static Surface-To-Air Missile (SAM) Systems
S-125	File:Independence Day Parade - Flickr - Kerri-Jo (88).jpg	Template:USSR	N/A	Range: 22km], (Three sites protecting the capital Ashgabat).<ref name=":2" />
S-200	File:Independence Day Parade - Flickr - Kerri-Jo (89).jpg	Template:USSR	N/A	[Range: 300km], (Two sites protecting Türkmenbaşy and Mary).<ref name=":2" />
Self-Propelled Surface-To-Air Missile (SAM) Systems
9K35 Strela-10M	File:Image unavailable.png	Template:BLR	N/A	[Range: 5km].<ref name=":2" />
9K33 Osa	File:Independence Day Parade - Flickr - Kerri-Jo (82).jpg	Template:USSR	N/A	[Range: 15km].<ref name=":2" />
FM-90	File:Image unavailable.png	Template:Flag	N/A	[Range: 15km].<ref name=":2" />
S-125-2BM	File:Independence Day Parade - Flickr - Kerri-Jo (87).jpg	Template:BLR	N/A	[Range: 22km].<ref name=":2" />
Pechora-2M	File:Image unavailable.png	Template:RUS	N/A	[Range: 22km].<ref name=":2" />
2K12 Kub	File:Independence Day Parade - Flickr - Kerri-Jo (73).jpg	Template:USSR	N/A	[Range: 25km].<ref name=":2" />
KS-1A	File:Image unavailable.png	Template:Flag	N/A	[Range: 50km].<ref name=":2" />
2K11 Krug	File:Image unavailable.png	Template:USSR	N/A	[Range: 55km].<ref name=":2" />
FD-2000	File:Image unavailable.png	Template:Flag	N/A	[Range: 125km].<ref name=":2" />
Electronic Warfare Systems
Rohde & Schwarz EW System	File:Image unavailable.png	Template:Flag	N/A	<ref name=":2" />
Radars
P-14 'Tall King'	File:Image unavailable.png	Template:USSR	N/A	<ref name=":2" />
P-18 'Spoon Rest D'	File:Image unavailable.png		N/A	<ref name=":2" />
P-35/37 'Bar Lock'	File:Image unavailable.png		N/A	<ref name=":2" />
P-80 'Back Net'	File:Image unavailable.png		N/A	<ref name=":2" />
PRV-11 'Side Net'	File:Image unavailable.png		N/A	<ref name=":2" />
36D6 'Tin Shield'	File:Image unavailable.png		N/A	<ref name=":2" />
SNR-125 'Low Blow'	File:Image unavailable.png		N/A	(For S-125).<ref name=":2" />
SNR-125-2BM	File:Image unavailable.png	Template:BLR	N/A	(For S-125-2BM ''PF 50 Alebarda'').<ref name=":2" />
SNR-125-2M	File:Image unavailable.png	Template:RUS	N/A	(For Pechora-2M), (Not yet seen).<ref name=":2" />
5N62 'Square Pair'	File:Image unavailable.png	Template:USSR	N/A	(For S-200).<ref name=":2" />
1S32 'Pat Hand'	File:Image unavailable.png		N/A	(For 2K11 Krug).<ref name=":2" />
SURN 1S91	File:Image unavailable.png		N/A	(For 2K12 Kub).<ref name=":2" />
Kolchuga	File:Image unavailable.png	Template:UKR	N/A	<ref name=":2" />
YLC-2V	File:Image unavailable.png	Template:Flag	N/A	(For FD-2000).<ref name=":2" />
HKJM2	File:Image unavailable.png		N/A	(For FD-2000).<ref name=":2" />
HT-233	File:Image unavailable.png		N/A	(For FD-2000), (Not yet seen).<ref name=":2" />
H-200	File:Image unavailable.png		N/A	(For KS-1A), (Not yet seen).<ref name=":2" />
YLC-18	File:Image unavailable.png		N/A	<ref name=":2" />
DWL-002	File:Image unavailable.png		N/A	<ref name=":2" />
TS-504	File:Image unavailable.png		N/A	<ref name=":2" />
Surveillance Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Aeronautics Defense Orbiter 2B	File:Image unavailable.png	Template:ISR	N/A	<ref name=":2" />
Elbit Skylark	File:Image unavailable.png	Template:ISR	N/A	(Used in conjunction with a ground-based rapid mine laying system).<ref name=":2" />
Selex ES Falco XN	File:Image unavailable.png	Template:Flag	N/A	<ref name=":2" />
Busel M	File:Image unavailable.png	Template:BLR	N/A	<ref name=":2" />
Busel M40	File:Image unavailable.png	Template:BLR	N/A	(License-produced in Turkmenistan).<ref name=":2" />
Boeing Insitu ScanEagle 2	File:Image unavailable.png	Template:Flag	N/A	<ref name=":2" />
Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles
CASC Rainbow CH-3A	File:Image unavailable.png	Template:Flag	N/A	(Armed with two AR-1 AGMs).<ref name=":2" />
WJ-600A/D	File:Image unavailable.png	Template:Flag	N/A	(Armed with two CM-502KG AGMs).<ref name=":2" />
Bayraktar TB2	File:Image unavailable.png	Template:TUR	N/A	(Armed with four MAM-C or MAM-L (with an 15+km range) PGMs).<ref name=":2" />
Busel MB2	File:Image unavailable.png	Template:BLR	N/A	(Armed with F1 grenades and PTAB-2.5 and PFAB-05 small bombs, while license-produced in Turkmenistan).<ref name=":2" />
Loitering Munitions
SkyStriker	File:Image unavailable.png	Template:ISR	N/A	<ref name=":2" />
Busel MB1	File:Image unavailable.png	Template:BLR	N/A	(Documented by a few sources, not yet seen).<ref name=":2" />
Vertical Take-Off And Landing Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
DJI Phantom 4	File:Image unavailable.png	Template:Flag	N/A	<ref name=":2" />
MD4-1000	File:Image unavailable.png	Template:Flag	N/A	<ref name=":2" />
Target Drones
La-17	File:Image unavailable.png	Template:USSR	N/A	(Believed to have been decommissioned).<ref name=":2" />
ASN-9 ''Ba-9''	File:Image unavailable.png	Template:Flag	N/A	<ref name=":2" />
S300	File:Image unavailable.png	Template:Flag	N/A	<ref name=":2" />

Personnel

Ranks

Template:Main

File:Independence Day Parade - Flickr - Kerri-Jo (19).jpg

The corps of drums of the Berdimuhamed Annayev 1st Specialized Military School.

Military education

Template:MainFounded in 1993 and 2007 respectively, the Military Institute of the Ministry of Defense of Turkmenistan and the Military Academy of Turkmenistan are the senior most military academies of their kind in Turkmenistan. Other military academies include the Turkmen Police Academy, the Turkmen National Security Institute, and the Turkmen Naval Institute. Border guards are trained at special institutes in military universities.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Personnel awards

Medal "Edermenlik"<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Medal "For impeccable service to the Fatherland"
Medal "Turkmen Edermen"
Breastplate "Valiant Border Guard"<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Myalikguly Berdymuhamedov Medal<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

* Uniforms *

File:Aliyev in Turkmenistan 04.jpg

Turkmen honour guards in winter uniform.

Military uniforms are sewn in the following factories of the Ministry of Textile Industry on the orders of the Ministry of Defense of Turkmenistan:<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Ruhabat Textile Complex
Geokdepe Textile Complex
Turkmenbashi Textile Complex
Ahal Sewing Production Association
Bayramali Textile Complex
Turkmen-Kalkan Joint Venture

The semi-woolen fabrics that are not produced in Turkmenistan are supplied through the Turkmendokma Foreign Trade Enterprise of the Ministry of Textile Industry.

Conscription

Service in the armed forces is required for all males under 27 years of age.<ref>Template:Cite web Template:Dead link</ref> Minister of Defence Dangatar Kopekov stated in 1992 that legislation was drafted to where draft dodgers would face "very severe measures, including criminal responsibility". Despite this, desertion is rampant, and was at a 20% rate in 1994.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> For many military units, it has often been accepted that commanders extort bribes for an early demobilization of conscripts.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

There have been reported cases of mistreatment of army conscripts on duty and Hazing.<ref name=":1">Template:Cite web</ref>

Women in the National Army

Women under the age of 21 who have a secondary education and have volunteered for military service can qualify for higher educational studies at the military institute.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite web</ref> In 2016, Senior Lieutenant Jahan Yazmuhammedova became the first female paratrooper in the Armed Forces, serving in the 152nd Independent Air Assault Battalion.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> A parade in 2019 was the first parade in which female siblings (Captains Shirin and Aknabat Velikurbanov) took part in the parade as part of the same contingent.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The contingent in question was led by Major Nabat Nurgeldyeva, who was in her 16th parade.

References

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CIA World Factbook, 2003 edition.