Turkmenistan
Military Power Ranking 2025
MPR Rank: 127th
MPR SCORE: 242
MPR Index: 0.0656 (1.0000 is perfect)
Reverse MPR Index: 0.8855 (0.0000 is perfect)
Z Score: -0.548 (standard deviations above the mean)
Overview
Turkmenistan ranks 127th globally in the 2025 Military Power Rankings. The Armed Forces of Turkmenistan are structured primarily for territorial defense, internal regime protection, and the security of strategic economic infrastructure, especially within the oil and gas sector. Turkmenistan’s military operates under a highly centralized command model, reflective of the country’s authoritarian governance structure and longstanding policy of “permanent neutrality”, which rejects formal military alliances or collective security pacts.
The military includes the Ground Forces, Air Force and Air Defense, and Navy, with an additional Ministry of Internal Affairs and border security services integrated into national defense operations. The armed forces retain Soviet-era doctrines and organization, with limited modernization, primarily sourced through bilateral military-technical cooperation with Russia, Turkey, and China. Turkmenistan has no recent history of foreign deployments or major regional engagement, instead focusing on border control, desert surveillance, and strategic site defense.
Strengths
1. Strong Centralized Command and Internal Security Integration
Turkmenistan’s military is tightly integrated with the Ministry of National Security and Presidential Guard, creating a unified defense apparatus focused on regime protection, population control, and strategic facility security.
2. Border Surveillance and Infrastructure Protection Doctrine
Located between Iran, Afghanistan, and Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan’s defense posture emphasizes border monitoring, oil pipeline security, and deterrence against transnational threats, particularly in remote desert regions.
3. Stable Conscription-Based Force with External Partnerships
The military maintains a steady conscript pool, supported by military academies and joint training initiatives, particularly with Turkey (officer training), Russia (technical upgrades), and China (communications and security systems).
Why Turkmenistan Is Still Ranked 127th
1. Limited Modernization and Obsolete Equipment
Most of Turkmenistan’s forces rely on Soviet-era vehicles, manual artillery systems, and aging aircraft, with minimal integration of modern ISR, precision weapons, or networked command capabilities.
2. Lack of Combat Experience or Operational Testing
The military has no history of international deployment, no exposure to coalition warfare, and no recent combat validation, leaving its tactical effectiveness untested in real-world conflict conditions.
3. No Strategic Projection or Air-Sea Dominance
Turkmenistan lacks the ability to project power regionally. The navy is coastal-only, the air force is limited to Soviet aircraft, and there is no strategic transport capability, placing the country in a purely static defensive posture.
Conclusion
Turkmenistan maintains a quiet, defense-oriented military force, aligned with its national policy of non-alignment and internal control. Its structure is suited for territorial monitoring, regime security, and energy infrastructure protection, not offensive action or regional influence. While politically stable and resource-backed, the military remains technologically stagnant, strategically isolated, and operationally untested, justifying its low global ranking despite its functional role within Turkmenistan’s domestic framework.
Military Strength and Force Projection
Active Military Personnel: 30,000
Reserve Personnel: 80,000
Paramilitary Forces: 10,000 (Ministry of Internal Affairs and border guards)
Army Personnel: 22,000
Navy Personnel: 2,000
Air Force Personnel: 6,000
Ground Forces
Main Battle Tanks (MBTs): 700+ (T-72, T-62 variants)
Armored Fighting Vehicles (AFVs): 1,200+
Artillery Pieces (Towed & Self-Propelled): 500+
Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS): 100+ (BM-21 Grad and derivatives)
Air Force
Combat Aircraft: 30+
Attack Helicopters: 10+
Transport Aircraft: 10+
Training Aircraft: 6+
Aircraft Breakdown:
MiG-29: 24
Su-25: 12
Mi-24 and Mi-17 Helicopters: In use
An-26 and Il-76 Transports: Operational
Naval Forces
Warships: 6+
Submarines: 0
Frigates/Corvettes: 2
Patrol Boats: 4+
Naval Vessel Breakdown:
Tuzla-class Patrol Boats (from Turkey): In service
Soviet-era gunboats and logistics vessels: Active
Caspian Sea deployment focused on offshore oil field security
Missile Capabilities
Turkmenistan does not possess long-range strategic missile systems but maintains tactical rockets, short-range ballistic missiles, and multiple-launch rocket artillery. Most systems are legacy Soviet platforms with limited upgrades.
Strategic Partnerships
Turkmenistan adheres to a neutrality policy but maintains military ties with Russia, China, and Turkey. Defense cooperation involves officer training, arms procurement, and limited exercises. The country also cooperates regionally on counterterrorism and border management under the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).
Military History & Combat Experience
Turkmenistan’s military history is characterized by Soviet legacy inheritance, non-involvement in external wars, and a doctrine centered entirely around neutrality and internal defense, with no modern combat experience.
Soviet Military Legacy and Independence Transition (1991–1995):
Upon independence from the Soviet Union, Turkmenistan inherited Soviet military infrastructure, reorganizing it under the Ministry of Defense. The military retained Soviet command culture, equipment stockpiles, and regional deployment doctrine, with limited adaptation to local needs.Permanent Neutrality Policy (1995–present):
In 1995, Turkmenistan declared permanent neutrality under UN recognition, renouncing participation in military alliances, coalitions, or foreign combat deployments. This remains the foundation of its military policy and limits its involvement in regional security initiatives, such as the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) or Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).Security Reinforcement Along the Afghan Border (2000s–2020s):
The Taliban resurgence and regional instability prompted Turkmenistan to bolster forces along the southern frontier, with an emphasis on desert surveillance, border patrol, and force readiness drills, particularly around Serhetabat and Tagtabazar.Military Parades, Modernization Demonstrations, and Bilateral Cooperation:
Though not involved in combat, Turkmenistan regularly conducts military parades showcasing recent acquisitions from China, Turkey, and Russia, including drones, light armored vehicles, and coastal patrol craft, intended more for domestic signaling than regional deterrence.
Turkmenistan’s armed forces remain defined by defensive posture, internal security focus, and strict geopolitical neutrality, with no direct combat history or force deployment beyond its own borders.
General Information
Demographics and Geography
Population: ~6.4 million (2024 est.)
Population Available for Military Service: ~2.2 million
Geographic Area: 488,100 km²
Land Boundaries: 3,736 km
Bordering Countries: Afghanistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan
Coastline: 1,768 km (Caspian Sea)
Climate: Subtropical desert
Terrain: Flat-to-rolling sandy desert; mountains in the south
Natural Resources: Natural gas, oil, sulfur, salt
Proven Oil Reserves: ~600 million barrels
Proven Natural Gas Reserves: ~19.5 trillion cubic feet
Economic Indicators
Defense Budget (2025): ~$1.3 billion USD
Defense Budget as % of GDP: ~3.2%
GDP (PPP): ~$120 billion USD
GDP per Capita (PPP): ~$18,700
External Debt: ~$5.4 billion USD
Military Expenditure Trend (last 5 years): Steady; regime security and border protection
Military Infrastructure and Readiness
Military Service Obligation: Mandatory for men (24 months)
Primary Defense Focus: Regime protection, border security, neutrality doctrine
Military Industry Base: Basic; uniforms, repair, domestically supported air defense
Cyber/Electronic Warfare Capability: Developing
Nuclear Warhead Inventory: None (non-nuclear state)
Major Military Districts / Commands: Divided into regional commands under General Staff
Missile Inventory Highlights: S-125, Igla MANPADS, Osa SAMs
Reservist Call-up Readiness / Timeline: Moderate; 30–60 days
Reservist Force Size: ~60,000
Space, Intelligence, and Strategic Infrastructure
Space or Satellite Programs: TurkmenSat-1 (launched 2015)
Military Satellite Inventory: None
Intelligence Infrastructure: Ministry for National Security (MNB)
Intelligence Sharing Partnerships: CIS, limited ties with Russia and China
Airports (Total): ~26
Major Military Airports: Ashgabat, Mary, Turkmenabat
Naval Power and Maritime Logistics
Merchant Marine Fleet: ~8 vessels
Major Ports: Turkmenbashi
Naval Infrastructure: Caspian Sea patrol vessels
Naval Replenishment Capability: Coastal only
Domestic Mobility and Infrastructure
Railway Network: ~5,100 km
Roadways: ~25,000 km
Energy and Fuel Logistics
Oil Production: ~200,000 barrels/day
Energy Imports: Self-sufficient; major gas exporter
Strategic Petroleum Reserves: Maintains large government-controlled stockpiles
Defense Production and Strategic Forces
Domestic Defense Production: Ammunition, uniforms, vehicle maintenance
Military Installations (Domestic): Ashgabat, Balkanabat, Mary
Military Installations (Overseas): None
Foreign Military Personnel Presence: None (policy of neutrality)
Defense Alliances: CSTO observer, CIS defense contacts
Strategic Airlift Capability: Il-76, An-26, helicopters
Wartime Industrial Surge Capacity: Moderate
Research and Industry Support
Defense R&D Investment: Modest; domestic electronics, air defense focus
Key Wartime Industries Beyond Defense: Natural gas export infrastructure, state logistics corps, chemical sector
Political and Administrative Structure
Capital: Ashgabat
Founding Date: October 27, 1991 (independence from USSR)
System of Government: Presidential authoritarian republic
