Tajikistan Military Power Ranking 2025
MPR Rank: 133rd
MPR SCORE: 234
MPR Index: 0.0615 (1.0000 is perfect)
Reverse MPR Index: 0.8894 (0.0000 is perfect)
Z Score: -0.570 (standard deviations above the mean)
Overview
Tajikistan ranks 133rd globally in the 2025 Military Power Rankings. The Armed Forces of the Republic of Tajikistan are primarily focused on internal security, border control, and counterinsurgency, particularly along the porous and volatile border with Afghanistan. Tajikistan remains the poorest nation in Central Asia, with severe budgetary limitations that hinder force modernization, leading to heavy dependence on Russian military presence, Chinese surveillance infrastructure, and CSTO support mechanisms for national defense.
The military emphasizes mountain warfare, light infantry, and paramilitary coordination to operate in rugged terrain and respond to terrorist infiltration, smuggling, and cross-border militant activity. The Russian 201st Military Base, located near Dushanbe, plays a pivotal role in national security planning, offering air defense coverage, logistics, and joint exercises. Tajikistan’s doctrine prioritizes sovereignty preservation, internal regime security, and asymmetric conflict readiness.
Strengths
1. Strategic Geography and Mountain Warfare Specialization
Tajikistan’s armed forces are trained for high-altitude combat, remote patrols, and terrain-driven counterinsurgency, giving it an edge in controlling mountainous regions and hard-to-reach border areas.
2. Strong CSTO and Bilateral Security Ties
Tajikistan is a key CSTO member and hosts Russia’s largest military base abroad, benefitting from training, equipment support, and joint operations—especially concerning Afghan border stabilization.
3. Integrated Border Security and Internal Control Focus
The military works closely with interior ministry troops, intelligence services, and special operations units for domestic control, insurgency suppression, and regime protection, reinforcing internal security.
Why Tajikistan Is Still Ranked 133rd
1. Low Defense Budget and Equipment Obsolescence
The armed forces operate largely with Soviet-era gear, limited armored units, and outdated communications systems, lacking the modern artillery, UAVs, or surveillance systems necessary for modern combat readiness.
2. No Strategic Air, Naval, or Missile Capability
Tajikistan lacks air strike platforms, airlift capacity, and has no navy due to its landlocked status. It also lacks indigenous missile systems or air defense layers, relying instead on Russian regional assets.
3. Overreliance on Foreign Forces and Limited Autonomy
The defense posture is heavily anchored to Russian basing, and increasingly Chinese security assistance, reducing the country’s ability to independently respond to escalated security threats or project regional power.
Conclusion
Tajikistan maintains a defensive, terrain-oriented military optimized for border patrol, anti-insurgency, and regime continuity, not for conventional warfighting or force projection. Its limited modernization, dependence on external security guarantees, and economic constraints keep its global ranking low. Nevertheless, its strategic importance, proximity to Afghanistan, and mountain warfare proficiency make Tajikistan a critical node in Central Asia’s broader security architecture.
Military Strength and Force Projection
Active Military Personnel: 9,500
Reserve Personnel: 600,000
Paramilitary Forces: 15,000 (Border troops, Interior Ministry units)
Army Personnel: 7,000
Navy Personnel: 0 (landlocked)
Air Force Personnel: 2,500
Ground Forces
Main Battle Tanks (MBTs): 40+ (T-62 and T-72)
Armored Fighting Vehicles (AFVs): 200+
Artillery Pieces (Towed & Self-Propelled): 100+
Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS): 20+
Air Force
Combat Aircraft: 0
Attack Helicopters: 4+
Transport Aircraft: 6+
Training Aircraft: Limited
Aircraft Breakdown:
Mi-24 and Mi-8 Helicopters: Operational
Il-76 and An-26 Transport Aircraft: In limited use
Basic training aircraft for pilot instruction
Naval Forces
Tajikistan has no navy due to its landlocked geography.
Missile Capabilities
Tajikistan does not operate strategic missile systems. It maintains tactical rocket artillery and anti-tank guided weapons. Air defense is limited to older Soviet-era MANPADS and short-range SAMs, with partial support from Russian-supplied systems stationed on Tajik soil.
Strategic Partnerships
Tajikistan is a member of the CSTO and maintains close defense ties with Russia, which operates the 201st Military Base in the country. It also collaborates with China through the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and has participated in joint border security and counterterrorism exercises. Iran has provided limited military engagement in recent years.
Military History & Combat Experience
Tajikistan’s military history is rooted in post-Soviet civil war, counterinsurgency, and regional security collaboration, with a clear emphasis on internal stabilization over external deployment.
Tajik Civil War (1992–1997):
Following independence, Tajikistan descended into a brutal civil war between pro-government forces and a coalition of opposition groups including Islamists, regional warlords, and former Soviet officials. The military, backed by Russia and Uzbekistan, played a major role in restoring central control. This conflict shaped Tajikistan’s emphasis on domestic security, political loyalty, and repressive force alignment.Post-Civil War Internal Stabilization Campaigns (2000s):
After peace accords, the armed forces were tasked with consolidating control over remote mountain regions where opposition fighters and criminal networks operated. Operations focused on mountain sweep tactics, roadblock security, and domestic surveillance, often with support from Russian advisors.Border Security and Anti-Terrorism Operations (2010s–present):
Tajikistan has conducted regular joint patrols, militant interdictions, and rapid deployments in response to Afghan-based infiltration, particularly in Gorno-Badakhshan and along the Panj River. These operations are coordinated with Russian troops and increasingly monitored using Chinese-built outposts and cameras.CSTO Exercises and Regional Security Integration:
The armed forces participate regularly in CSTO rapid reaction drills, including anti-terrorism simulations, border security exercises, and logistical coordination events, reinforcing its status as a regional security recipient and participant.
Tajikistan’s military legacy is defined by its internal war origins, regional threat environment, and dependence on external military power, resulting in a doctrine focused on defensive sovereignty, border hardening, and regime survival, rather than external intervention or strategic initiative.
General Information
Demographics and Geography
Population: ~10.6 million (2024 est.)
Population Available for Military Service: ~3.9 million
Geographic Area: 143,100 km²
Land Boundaries: 3,651 km
Bordering Countries: Afghanistan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Climate: Continental; hot summers, mild winters
Terrain: Mountainous (93% of territory); valleys and plateaus
Natural Resources: Hydropower, aluminum, gold, uranium, silver
Proven Oil Reserves: ~12 million barrels
Proven Natural Gas Reserves: ~200 billion cubic feet
Economic Indicators
Defense Budget (2025): ~$550 million USD
Defense Budget as % of GDP: ~2.6%
GDP (PPP): ~$40 billion USD
GDP per Capita (PPP): ~$3,700
External Debt: ~$4.5 billion USD
Military Expenditure Trend (last 5 years): Stable; border security and counterinsurgency focused
Military Infrastructure and Readiness
Military Service Obligation: Mandatory for men (24 months)
Primary Defense Focus: Border security, anti-terrorism, regime protection
Military Industry Base: Basic; small arms repair, logistics
Cyber/Electronic Warfare Capability: Developing
Nuclear Warhead Inventory: None (non-nuclear state)
Major Military Districts / Commands: Divided under General Staff; 1st and 2nd Army Corps
Missile Inventory Highlights: MANPADS, mortars, rocket artillery
Reservist Call-up Readiness / Timeline: Moderate; 30–45 days
Reservist Force Size: ~60,000
Space, Intelligence, and Strategic Infrastructure
Space or Satellite Programs: No national program
Military Satellite Inventory: None
Intelligence Infrastructure: State Committee for National Security (SCNS)
Intelligence Sharing Partnerships: CSTO, SCO, Russia
Airports (Total): ~26
Major Military Airports: Dushanbe, Khujand
Naval Power and Maritime Logistics
Merchant Marine Fleet: None
Major Ports: None
Naval Infrastructure: Not applicable
Naval Replenishment Capability: Not applicable
Domestic Mobility and Infrastructure
Railway Network: ~680 km
Roadways: ~30,000 km
Energy and Fuel Logistics
Oil Production: ~2,000 barrels/day
Energy Imports: Significant reliance on Russian fuel
Strategic Petroleum Reserves: Maintains national military fuel storage
Defense Production and Strategic Forces
Domestic Defense Production: Ammunition, basic uniforms
Military Installations (Domestic): Dushanbe, Kulyab, Qurghonteppa
Military Installations (Overseas): None
Foreign Military Personnel Presence: Russian 201st Military Base
Defense Alliances: CSTO, SCO
Strategic Airlift Capability: Limited to Russian-supported platforms
Wartime Industrial Surge Capacity: Low
Research and Industry Support
Defense R&D Investment: Minimal
Key Wartime Industries Beyond Defense: Hydropower grid, agriculture corps, textile logistics
Political and Administrative Structure
Capital: Dushanbe
Founding Date: September 9, 1991 (independence from USSR)
System of Government: Unitary presidential republic
