Deepening Ties in Central Asia: Military Collaboration between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan Intensifies
Central Asia's Heavyweights: Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan
(Image Credit: Kazakh Defense Ministry)
A Stalwart Duo in Central AsiaAccording to Kazakh Defense Minister, Colonel General Ruslan Zhaksylykov, as reported by Kazinform on March 29, these two nations play a pivotal role in sustaining the region's development.
Since gaining independence, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have forged a strong military alliance through agreements on flight safety, military technology, air defense, intelligence, education, and more. Their defense ministries hold frequent bilateral meetings, joint trainings, and military exercises.
From Collaborative Battlegrounds to Cultural ConnectionsSince 2021, these joint military exercises have included Kalkan, Hamkorlik, Khanjar, and the Birlestik-2024 exercise which brought together forces from Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. In addition to these exercises, sniper training in mountainous terrain and survival training in diverse climates are conducted in both countries, fostering efficiency, unity of action, and mastery of new battle tactics.
The military partnership extends beyond the battlefield, as Kazakh and Uzbek military ensembles have graced each other's national celebrations. Joint military education is also expanding, with Kazakh and Uzbek service members studying at each other's defense institutions while faculty members engage in discussions on international security.
Regional DynamicsWhile specific recent joint military exercises between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan remain unclear, the broader regional context points to an increase in military cooperation among Central Asian countries and Russia. Russia has been fortifying its military ties with Uzbekistan and other regional allies. In January 2025, Russia and Uzbekistan adopted a plan of cooperation for 2025 and a program of strategic partnership in the military sphere for 2026-2030.
Exercises involving Russian, Uzbek, and Tajik military personnel have taken place in the region, focusing on areas near the border with Afghanistan. This collaborative environment among Central Asian countries could potentially pave the way for future joint exercises involving Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, although no specific details are available at this time.
- In 2024, the militaries of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, along with Azerbaijan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, are scheduled to participate in the Birlestik-2024 exercise, further strengthening their joint training and military exercises.
- Despite the absence of specific recent joint military exercises between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, the increasing military cooperation among Central Asian countries and Russia suggests that such exercises may be on the horizon, yet no details are currently available.
- Beyond the battlefield, Kazakh and Uzbek military ensembles have been instrumental in enriching each other's national celebrations, extending their military partnership beyond traditional military affairs.
- The sniper training in mountainous terrain and survival training in diverse climates in both Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have not only fostered efficiency and unity of action among their armed forces but have also mastered new battle tactics, contributing to their overall military readiness.
