| Military of Turkmenistan |
|
|---|---|
| Founded | circa 1992 |
| Headquarters | Galkynysh str.4, Ashkabad[1] |
| Leadership | |
| President of Turkmenistan | Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow |
| Minister of Defence | Colonel General Agageldi Mametgeldiyev |
| Manpower | |
| Military age | 18[2] |
| Conscription | 24 months[2] |
| Active personnel | 34,000[2][3] |
| Reserve personnel | 108,000[2][3] |
| Expenditures | |
| Budget | $90 million (FY10)[2] |
| Percent of GDP | 3.4% (FY10)[2] |
| Industry | |
| Foreign suppliers | Russia China Iran |
The armed forces of Turkmenistan consist of an Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces, Border Troops, and Internal Troops, and a National Guard. After the fall of the Soviet Union, significant elements of the Soviet Armed Forces Turkestan Military District remained on Turkmen soil. In June 1992, the new Russian government signed a bilateral defence 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.[4]
The 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 Turkmen military inherited several motor rifle divisions from the Turkestan Military District which formed the basis of the Turkmen ground forces.
Jane's Information Group said in 2009 that "Turkmenistan's military is, even by the standards of Central Asia, poorly maintained and funded."[5]
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The State Security Council is the most important defence decision-making body in the country.[6]
The 1995 Law on defence[7] says that the President of Turkmenistan defines the powers of the Security Council.
The Security Council is mentioned in the 2003 Constitution of Turkmenistan[8] but not in the 1992 constitution [3], and it's only mentioned that the Security Council is guided by the president.
The Council was chaired by the former President of Turkmenistan Saparmurat Niyazov until his death, while Minister of Defence Agageldi Mämmetgeldiýew acts as its secretary.[9]
Following the death of Niyazov, the Security Council announced Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow as his interim successor.[10]
| Turkmenistan |
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The Turkmen military inherited several motor rifle divisions from the Soviet Armed Forces Turkestan Military District, forming the basis of the Turkmen ground forces. Today the land forces include the 2nd, 3rd, 11th, and 22nd Motor Rifle Divisions.[11]
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).[12]
The military ranks have reverted to traditional names and structure, and are now:
The rank of a marshal has also apparently been reintroduced.[13] The real cash payment to the warrior rank in the army is about US$1.5 - 3 (2005 rates) per month. Only some of the conscript's time in the military is occupied with military service, the rest being occupied with "labour" (half a day) and "self-improvement" (2–3 hours a day) by reciting traditional Turkoman texts, learning songs and playing music.
Turkmen land forces equipment includes 702 T-72,[14] and 10 T-90, ordered in 2009 for approximately $30 million.[15][16]
AIFV / APC include BTR-60/BTR-70/BTR-80 - 829,[14] BMP-1/BMP-2 - 930,[14] BRM-1 12, and BRDM-2 - 170.
Self-Propelled
Multiple launch Rocket Systems
Towed Guns
Mortars
| Aircraft | Origin | Type | Versions | In service[19] | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trainer Aircraft | ||||||
| Aero L-39 Albatros | Czechoslovakia | training/light attack | L-39 | 2 | ||
| Fighter Aircraft | ||||||
| Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29 Fulcrum | Soviet Union | fighter | MiG-29 MiG-29UB |
22 2 |
||
| Attack Aircraft | ||||||
| Sukhoi Su-25 Frogfoot | Soviet Union | close support | Su-25 | 43 | ||
| Transport Aircraft | ||||||
| Antonov An-24 Coke | Soviet Union | tactical transport | An-24 | 1 | ||
| Attack Helicopter | ||||||
| Mil Mi-24 Hind | Soviet Union | attack | Mi-24 | 10 | ||
| Transport Helicopter | ||||||
| Mil Mi-8 Hip | Soviet Union | transport/attack | Mi-8 | 8 | ||
Turkmen naval forces are currently directed by the Border Guard Service and consist of around 700 servicemen and sixteen patrol boats.[20]
The International Institute for Strategic Studies reported in 2007 that Turkmenistan intended to form a navy and had a minor base at Turkmenbashy with 1 USCG Point class cutter and 5 Kalkan-class patrol vessels.[14] 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.