Drones have gradually been introduced into the region as a result of general shifts in warfare or specific events such as the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan or fighting between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.
However, not every country is working to improve the capabilities of its drones in the same way. The type of UAVs they purchase and the suppliers they use are determined by their specific defence policy, financial situation, and international partners of choice.
In September of last year, military drones were deployed in attacks in Central Asia for the first time. The event occurred during the conflict between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. According to Tajik official accusations, the TB2 Bayraktar drones, manufactured in Turkey, were used by the Kyrgyz to strike Tajik territory. A video of the alleged Kyrgyz drone strike surfaced on social media. The Kyrgyz TB2 allegedly destroyed Tajik military equipment, including two tanks, one multiple missile launcher, and an ammunition truck. Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov established a base for the country’s brand-new TB2 drones earlier this week, during the same week that hostilities between the two countries erupted.
The Bayraktar Aknc and Aksungur drones from the same firm will shortly follow the TB2 variants. The former is a combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) with more weapons and range than the latter, which is a multirole drone capable of both long-term observation and striking missions. Kyrgyzstan differs from its southern neighbour in terms of UAV capabilities thanks to a trio of drones built in Turkey.
Dushanbe has made less aggressive efforts to surpass Bishkek. However, when the Tajik minister of defence visited the Bayraktar facility in Turkey and reports began to circulate that Tajikistan was also planning to purchase TB2s, Kyrgyzstan became concerned.
This would have cancelled out Kyrgyzstan’s recent lead against Tajikistan. In front of MPs, even the potential Kyrgyz foreign minister admitted the reality of the transaction. Tajikistan eventually opted not to purchase the Bayraktar drone.
Tajikistan sought TB2s from Iran rather than acquiring them. In comparison to the Turkish drones produced in Kyrgyzstan, Iran produced the older and more constrained Ababil-2 drones in Tajikistan the following month, in May 2022. Tajiks will add American Puma drones to their inventory of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), as well as Iranian-made surveillance and lingering munition versions.
The United States provided these hand-launched surveillance UAVs to Afghanistan and the Taliban as part of a larger $60 million security aid package.
Kazakhstan, on the other hand, began boosting its drone inventory in 2016 when it purchased Chinese-made Wing Loong Is. Rather than continuing to develop its UCAV capabilities with the Wing Loong II, the Kazakh government moved to Turkey. However, unlike Kyrgyzstan, Astana prioritised the TAI Anka above the Bayraktar TB2. The deal was reached during President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s visit to Turkey in May 2022, and it allowed for the licenced manufacture of drones in Kazakhstan. According to the US Embassy in Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan deploys Russian Orlan-10Es, two types of Israeli drones, and tiny hand-launched RQ-11 Ravens for observation.
Turkmenistan was the first Central Asian country to get a Bayraktar TB2. Their presence in the Turkmen armed forces was on full show at the military parade honouring the 30th anniversary of the nation’s independence in 2021. Turkmenistan had already acquired UCAVs from China in 2016, acquiring both CH-3As and WJ-600 A/Ds.
Following a sluggish start, Central Asian countries now see drones as an addition to, if not a critical component of, their military forces. There is a compelling case for UAVs in this area, both as specialist resources and as cost-effective alternatives for improving air-to-ground strike capabilities.
Drones can be used for monitoring in the three countries that border Afghanistan: Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. It is no coincidence that the United States has provided similar vehicles to both Tajik and Uzbek forces, who will most likely use them to keep an eye on their southern neighbor.
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan comprise the Central Asia region (CA).
Kazakhstan is one of the region’s most influential countries due to its strategic location in Central Asia. It is the ninth-largest country in the world in terms of land area, and the largest among Islamic countries. It is the most economically powerful country in Central Asia.
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