Дата публикации: Jan 15, 2016 5:47:59 PM

Greeting to the Defenders of Motherland on the 24th Anniversary of the Establishment of Uzbekistan’s Armed Forces

Dear soldiers and sergeants, officers and generals, veterans of the Armed Forces, dear compatriots!

It gives me great pleasure to congratulate you on this remarkable date in the life of our country - the Day of Defenders of the Motherland, the 24th anniversary of the establishment of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Uzbekistan!

Looking back a quarter century hard way we passed, we have all grounds to say that due to implementation of the timely accepted and deeply thought-out reform program, today Uzbekistan has a professionally trained, well-equipped army, dedicated to the country and people, able to deal effectively with a wide range of tasks on ensuring the security, territorial integrity of the country, inviolability of its borders, protection of peaceful and tranquil life of citizens.

In many respects, the decisive factor in creation of modern Armed Forces of our country was the development of a fundamentally new approach to military reform and development, based on decisive rejection of the outdated standard solutions, fully taking into account the features of theater of possible military actions and rapidly changing situation in our near and distant surroundings, as well as deep practical implementation of practical achievements of foreign experience.

Today we can proudly say that our army has incorporated the best practices of world military development and arts, preserving our historical and national traditions, it has become a reliable guarantor of security of our borders. The appearance of a modern military serviceman of Armed Forces of Uzbekistan is embodied, above all, in his comprehensive knowledge and intelligence, devotion to the Motherland, his unshakable will and firm commitment to fulfill his sacred military duty.

Dear friends!

We always realized that the time in which we live, is not standing still. The rapidly changing situation in the world and exacerbated situation in some of its regions, a growing confrontation, conflict and bloodshed, the increasing threat of international terrorism, extremism and radicalism, ongoing military clashes in our near surroundings cannot but cause us a deep sense of concern and anxiety.

The emerging complex and erratic situation requires all of us to maintain high vigilance and constant readiness, to strengthen attention to further reforming our army, to equip it with modern weapons and equipment, to improve the efficiency of combat training in general - comprehensive consolidation of capacity and capability of our Armed Forces.

In this respect, at this stage I consider it extremely important to accomplish the following tasks.

First, further improvement of the organizational structure and war strength of the army, command and control system of the forces, based on the current military and political situation, achievements of the art of war and our accumulated experience of military construction, as well as features of a possible theater of military operations.

In the context of increasing threats and the ever-changing situation in neighboring regions of Uzbekistan, not precluding intrusion into the territory of our country by various armed bands and subversive groups, a special attention should be attached to further strengthening and concentration of military units, primarily in sensitive operating areas.

A greater attention and radical revision of principles and approaches to ongoing military exercises, their approximation to real conditions of the area and region, identification of the possible nature of action of the potential enemy, training of commanders and staff on comprehensive assessment of the situation and making informed decision-making, practical development of issues of operational troop transport, improving individual skills of each soldier in weapons and equipment mastery, survival in critical physical loads and high moral and psychological stress, becomes very important.

To this end, it is important to ensure full functionality and widespread use of training grounds, extending their all-round development of their infrastructure and educational, material and technical base.

Secondly, a gradual implementation of programs to equip troops with advanced weapons and equipment, allowing us to increase significantly the combat capability of our Armed Forces, their mobility and efficiency, to develop the capacity to cause lightning strikes on vulnerable enemy positions using the power of the Special Operations Forces, helicopters and others attached technics.

Third, a constant attention to the issue of training, retraining and advanced training of officers and sergeants staff. In this regard, continuation of ongoing efforts to improve the system of education at the Academy of Armed Forces, military colleges and sergeant training schools, where our soldiers are provided all opportunities for continuous improvement of the professional, theoretical and applied knowledge, gaining experience and skills needed in service-combat activities, has an significant role.

However, it is advisable to constantly update and refine the list of specialties, teaching methods and technologies of military disciplines, curricula, taking into account the phased equipping of the national army with modern weapons and equipment, changes in its composition and structure, the changing nature of an armed conflict.

Another priority is the further training of the teaching staff of military educational institutions, the mastery of foreign languages, advanced foreign experience of organizing the educational process and the use of new information and communication technologies.

At the same time we need to strengthen our efforts on a systematic and consistent basis in wide attraction of teachers, experts and specialists of the top military educational and research centers of foreign countries to conduct classes at the Academy of Armed Forces and other specialized educational institutions of the country on the most popular and topical areas of military science.

Fourth, in a rapidly changing environment of the modern world, when there are intensified efforts to plant foreign destructive ideas in a society, absolutely contrary to spiritual values, culture and traditions of our people, there is a struggle for hearts and minds, especially of the younger generation, the role and place of educational work on moral and psychological training of military personnel and pre-conscription youth has increased greatly.

In this context, revitalization of organization and conduct in educational in stitutions, military, and labor collectives and mahallas of events of military-patriotic theme to educate our young people with deep feelings of love for the Motherland and pride in its Armed Forces and respect for military service, takes exceptional importance.

In order to achieve these long-term and urgent tasks, the special role has to be played by the Public Council under the Ministry of Defense, Kamolot Youth public movement and other public organizations and institutions, the best representatives of culture, arts and sports.

Avoiding formalism and superficial approach to this important matter we should also make extensive use of the media and the national segment of Internet.

Fifth, strict implementation of government programs for social, housing and medical provision for servicemen and their families. As part of government decisions and government programs in relation to the announcement of 2016 as the Year of Healthy Mother and Child, to implement a package of concrete measures on material and social support for families of military personnel.

Decent military service conditions and social security, welfare of soldiers and their families is a key factor in further consolidation of the authority of the Armed Forces of our country.

Dear compatriots!

Taking this opportunity, I would like to stress once again that our Military Doctrine has defensive character and stands for strengthening of the Armed Forces, in the first place, it is aimed to protect state sovereignty, territorial integrity, peace and tranquility of our people.

That is why Uzbekistan as a non-aligned state, went to the well informed and thoroughly thought-out step, making for themselves a fundamental choice - to conduct a peaceful policy and not to engage in military-political alliances and coalitions, to prevent the stationing of foreign military bases on its territory and objects, not to participate in peacekeeping operations abroad.

On this special occasion, I would like to express sincere gratitude, first of all, to parents - mothers and fathers of those who are decently performing their honorable, noble and responsible duty - protection of the Motherland!

I wish all military servicemen - soldiers and sergeants, officers and generals good health and great success, strength and energy while carrying out the military service for the Fatherland, and happiness and welfare to your families in 2016!

Islam Karimov,

President of the Republic of Uzbekistan,

Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces