What will be the new Defense Doctrine of Uzbekistan?

On January 13, Shavkat Mirziyoyev held a meeting of the Security Council, which was convened to discuss issues of strengthening the country’s military security and defense.

Given the rapidly changing nature and scale of modern risks and threats, as well as the major challenges facing the defense and security sectors, the Head of our state has pointed to the need to revise the Defense Doctrine adopted eight years ago, as well as the National Security Concept adopted in 1997.

One thing must be understood: the nature of modern war has fundamentally changed. Whoever thinks they can win by relying only on the number of tanks, aircraft, or soldiers is deeply mistaken. Today’s combat operations are being conducted on the basis of artificial intelligence, digital control, high-precision long-range weapons, cyber and robotics, as well as political and economic pressure, — Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

According to the new Defense Doctrine, Uzbekistan will strive to maintain its neutral status of not joining military blocs like the CSTO or NATO. The country will prioritize multilateral diplomacy without taking sides. The main focus will be on the military independence of the state with the introduction of new technologies, as well as ensuring stability in the Central Asian region.

In general, the new doctrine should serve as the basis for the technological modernization of the army and the introduction of advanced military solutions, — said the president.

It is planned to replace the modernization of the army towards equipping troops with robotic systems and artificial intelligence-based drones. Against the backdrop of digitalization in all spheres of state and public life, attention to cybersecurity will be strengthened.

Constantly analyzing the regional and global situation, strengthening the potential of the national army is a requirement of today. The army of Uzbekistan must always be mobile, high-tech, adapted to new combat conditions, and ready to defend the people, — Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

Along with the renewal of the Defense Doctrine, conscription and urgent military service will be changed in Uzbekistan. Military personnel will be taught how to work, distinguished programmers and AI developers will be made, and their service life will be reduced for good reading.

In March 2023, Shavkat Mirziyoyev responded to which side Uzbekistan is on, noting that other countries are calling on him to “put an end to neutrality and join their camp”.