It gives me great pleasure to congratulate you on remarkable date in the life of our country – the Day of Defenders of the Motherland, 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 timely accepted and deeply thought-out reform program, today Uzbekistan has professionally trained, well-equipped army dedicated to their country and people, able to deal effectively with a wide range of security tasks, territorial integrity, 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 consisted the development of a fundamentally new approach to military reform and development, based on decisive rejection of the outdated standard solutions, fully taking into account the features of theater of possible military actions and rapidly changing situation in our near and distant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 development 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 modern soldier 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 their 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, growing confrontation, conflict and bloodshed, increasing threat of international terrorism, extremism and radicalism, ongoing military clashes in our near surroundings can not but cause us a deep sense of concern and anxiety.
Situation that is complex and difficult to predict requires all of us to maintain high vigilance and constant readiness to strengthen attention to further reforming our army, equipping it with modern weapons and equipment, 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 execute the following tasks.
First, the further improvement of the organizational structure and command of the army, command and control system based on the current military and political situation, the military achievements of modern art and our experience of military construction and features of a possible theater of operations.
In the context of increasing threats and ever-changing situation in neighboring regions of Uzbekistan, does not preclude invasion of our country’s various gangs and subversive groups, special attention should be given to further strengthening and concentration of military units, primarily operating in sensitive areas.
Attention and radical revision of principles and approaches to ongoing military exercises, their similarity to real conditions of area and region, identification of the possible nature of action potential enemy, training commanders and staffs a comprehensive assessment of situation and informed decision-making, practical working out of issues of operational troop transport, improving individual skills of each soldier in fluency weapons and equipment, survival in a critical exercise 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 educational infrastructure and material and technical base.
Secondly, gradual implementation of programs equip troops with advanced weapons and equipment, allowing us to increase significantly combat capability of our Armed Forces, their mobility and efficiency, develop the ability to cause lightning strikes on vulnerable enemy positions using the power of the Special Operations Forces, helicopters and others attached technics.
Third, constant attention to issue of training, retraining and advanced training officers and sergeants staff. In this regard, the current value is 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 all opportunities for continuous improvement of the professional, theoretical and applied knowledge, gain experience and skills needed in service-combat activities.
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 the national army with modern weapons and equipment, changes in its composition and structure of the combat, the changing nature of 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 top military educational and research centers of foreign countries, conduct studies at Academy of Armed Forces and other specialized educational institutions of the country’s most popular and topical areas of military science.
Fourth, in a rapidly changing environment of the modern world, when there are intensified efforts to planting in a society foreign to destructive ideas, absolutely contrary to spiritual values, culture and traditions of our people, there is a struggle for hearts and minds, especially 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 institutions, military, and labor collectives and mahallas events of military-patriotic direction to educate our young people deep feelings of love for 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 of the special role to be played by the Public Council under the Ministry of Defense, “Kamolot” 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 possibility of the national segment of Internet.
Fifth, strict implementation of government programs for social, housing and medical treatment for servicemen and their families. As part of government decision-making and government programs in 2016 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 that participate in peacekeeping operations abroad.
On this holiday 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 – private soldiers and sergeants, officers and generals good health and great success, strength and energy while executing the military service of the Fatherland, and the happiness and welfare to your families in 2016!
Islam Karimov,
President of the Republic of Uzbekistan,
Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces
