Uzbekistan Military Power Ranking 2025
MPR Rank: 91st
MPR SCORE: 305
MPR Index: 0.0975 (1.0000 is perfect)
Reverse MPR Index: 0.8553 (0.0000 is perfect)
Z Score: -0.381 (standard deviations above the mean)
Overview
Uzbekistan ranks 91st globally in the 2025 Military Power Rankings. As the most populous country in Central Asia, Uzbekistan maintains one of the region’s largest and best-equipped militaries, focused on border defense, internal stability, and counterterrorism operations. Since gaining independence from the Soviet Union, the Uzbek armed forces have undergone a comprehensive transformation from a Soviet-legacy force into a national military with its own doctrine and strategic priorities.
Uzbekistan’s military doctrine emphasizes neutrality, self-reliant logistics, and territorial resilience, with a focus on mobility, conscription-based manpower, and defensive depth. The country maintains a cautious foreign policy, avoiding major external entanglements while strengthening air defense, drone capabilities, and interior ministry forces. Although not structured for long-range expeditionary operations, Uzbekistan remains a leading security actor in Central Asia.
Strengths
1. Large Manpower Pool and Reserve System
With a population over 36 million, Uzbekistan fields a large conscription-based military and maintains a deep reserve structure. This allows for rapid mobilization and strong internal presence, especially along restive border zones.
2. Mobility and Logistics Emphasis
Uzbekistan’s military prioritizes mobility, operating with light infantry, armored personnel carriers, and truck-mounted artillery that enable fast reaction to insurgent threats or border incursions. Its self-sustained logistics and Soviet-era supply base reinforce its internal operational flexibility.
3. Regional Counterterrorism Experience
Uzbek forces are well-versed in counterinsurgency tactics, having dealt with past threats from Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU) and other militant groups. The army and National Security Service conduct joint operations, blending military, intelligence, and police capabilities.
Why Uzbekistan Is Still Ranked 91st
1. Limited Air and Naval Power
Uzbekistan’s air force consists mostly of Soviet-era MiG and Su aircraft, with minimal modernization. The country is landlocked and maintains no naval force, further restricting strategic flexibility and regional projection.
2. Legacy Equipment and Modernization Gaps
While many units have undergone partial upgrades, a large portion of the Uzbek military still relies on outdated Soviet equipment, including tanks, artillery, and communication systems, which limits combat effectiveness in high-tech or network-centric warfare.
3. Politically Controlled Military Structure
Uzbekistan’s armed forces remain under tight executive control, with limited transparency or civil-military oversight. While this ensures regime stability, it can hinder institutional reform, tactical autonomy, and professional development.
Conclusion
Uzbekistan’s military is a resilient, land-focused force, tailored for regional security, anti-insurgency, and homeland defense. Though constrained by aging equipment and a lack of strategic projection, it remains one of Central Asia’s most capable armed forces, supported by a large conscription base, operational mobility, and growing air defense capacity. Its position in the rankings reflects both its operational strength within regional parameters and its limitations in global military reach.
Military Strength and Force Projection
Active Military Personnel: 65,000
Reserve Personnel: 130,000
Paramilitary Forces: 20,000 (includes Internal Troops and border security forces)
Army Personnel: 50,000
Navy Personnel: 0 (landlocked)
Air Force Personnel: 15,000
Ground Forces
Main Battle Tanks (MBTs): 340+ (T-72, T-64, T-62)
Armored Fighting Vehicles (AFVs): 600+
Artillery Pieces (Towed & Self-Propelled): 450+
Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS): 80+ (BM-21, RM-70)
Air Force
Combat Aircraft: 45+
Attack Helicopters: 30+
Transport Aircraft: 20+
Training Aircraft: 15+
Aircraft Breakdown:
MiG-29: 20+
Su-25: 10
L-39 Albatros: Several
Il-76 Transport Aircraft: 4
Mi-24 Hind Helicopters: 20+
Mi-8/17 Utility Helicopters: In active use
Naval Forces
Uzbekistan does not maintain a navy due to its landlocked geography.
Missile Capabilities
Uzbekistan does not possess strategic missile systems but maintains a limited inventory of short-range rocket artillery and tactical missile systems inherited from the Soviet Union. Modernization efforts include procurement of anti-drone systems and mobile surface-to-air missile batteries for regional defense.
Strategic Partnerships
Uzbekistan maintains a policy of neutrality but cooperates militarily with Russia, China, and Turkey. The country is a member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and participates in regional exercises focused on counterterrorism and border defense. Uzbekistan also engages in limited joint training with the United States and NATO under security assistance programs.
Military History & Combat Experience
Uzbekistan’s military history is centered on its post-Soviet restructuring, border security operations, and internal campaigns against Islamist militancy. While not engaged in major conventional warfare, its forces have participated in high-intensity counterterrorism missions across Central Asia.
Post-Independence Security Consolidation (1991–1999):
Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Uzbekistan rapidly formed its own military institutions. The new state focused on establishing border security, absorbing Soviet garrisons, and building the Ministry of Defense from scratch. During this period, the country faced rising Islamist militancy in the Fergana Valley.Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan Insurgency (1999–2001):
Armed incursions by the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU) into eastern Uzbekistan and southern Kyrgyzstan prompted extensive military operations. Uzbek forces used airstrikes, mountain infantry patrols, and security cordons to repel militants and reinforce national borders. These engagements served as the military’s first real combat test post-independence.2005 Andijan Incident:
The military was deployed to suppress a violent uprising in the city of Andijan, resulting in the mass killing of hundreds of civilians and armed rebels. The crackdown drew international condemnation but underscored the army’s role in regime protection and internal suppression.Counterterrorism Operations and Border Reinforcement (2000s–present):
Uzbekistan has engaged in sustained counterterrorism operations, conducting arrests, raids, and patrols targeting radical networks, particularly near the Afghan border. The military collaborates with internal security forces to guard against cross-border infiltration and regional instability.
Though Uzbekistan’s military has not participated in international conflicts, its operational history reflects real-world experience in border security, counterterrorism, and post-Soviet military development. It remains one of the few Central Asian forces with a functioning doctrine, organized logistics, and regional intervention capability, albeit within a non-expeditionary, defensive framework.
General Information
Demographics and Geography
Population: ~36.6 million (2024 est.)
Population Available for Military Service: ~14.5 million
Geographic Area: 447,400 km²
Land Boundaries: 6,221 km
Bordering Countries: Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Climate: Mostly mid-latitude desert; long, hot summers and mild winters
Terrain: Mostly flat desert with mountains in southeast
Natural Resources: Natural gas, petroleum, gold, uranium, copper, coal
Proven Oil Reserves: ~600 million barrels
Proven Natural Gas Reserves: ~1.8 trillion cubic feet
Economic Indicators
Defense Budget (2025): ~$1.7 billion USD
Defense Budget as % of GDP: ~1.8%
GDP (PPP): ~$400 billion USD
GDP per Capita (PPP): ~$11,000
External Debt: ~$34 billion USD
Military Expenditure Trend (last 5 years): Steadily rising with modernization focus
Military Infrastructure and Readiness
Military Service Obligation: Mandatory (12 months)
Primary Defense Focus: Border control, anti-terrorism, internal security
Military Industry Base: Moderate; small arms, vehicles, drone systems, munitions
Cyber/Electronic Warfare Capability: Developing
Nuclear Warhead Inventory: None (non-nuclear state)
Major Military Districts / Commands: Northern, Southern, Western, Central, Eastern Commands
Missile Inventory Highlights: MANPADS, artillery rockets, Chinese UAVs
Reservist Call-up Readiness / Timeline: Moderate; 30–45 days
Reservist Force Size: ~60,000
Space, Intelligence, and Strategic Infrastructure
Space or Satellite Programs: Basic Earth observation capacity; partners with Russia and China
Military Satellite Inventory: None
Intelligence Infrastructure: State Security Service (SGB), Military Intelligence
Intelligence Sharing Partnerships: CSTO (former), CIS states, Russia, China
Airports (Total): ~53
Major Military Airports: Tashkent, Karshi, Nukus, Termez
Naval Power and Maritime Logistics
Merchant Marine Fleet: ~10 vessels
Major Ports: Termez (river port)
Naval Infrastructure: Riverine security only
Naval Replenishment Capability: Not applicable
Domestic Mobility and Infrastructure
Railway Network: ~4,700 km
Roadways: ~86,000 km
Energy and Fuel Logistics
Oil Production: ~60,000 barrels/day
Energy Imports: Minimal; major gas exporter
Strategic Petroleum Reserves: Maintains national reserve levels
Defense Production and Strategic Forces
Domestic Defense Production: Small arms, drones, armored vehicles
Military Installations (Domestic): Key facilities in Tashkent, Samarkand, Andijan
Military Installations (Overseas): None
Foreign Military Personnel Presence: None (some Russian collaboration)
Defense Alliances: Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), regional CIS ties
Strategic Airlift Capability: Il-76, An-26, C-295 aircraft
Wartime Industrial Surge Capacity: Moderate
Research and Industry Support
Defense R&D Investment: Focus on UAVs, EW, communications
Key Wartime Industries Beyond Defense: Uzbekneftegaz (energy), rail/logistics, defense electronics
Political and Administrative Structure
Capital: Tashkent
Founding Date: September 1, 1991 (independence from USSR)
System of Government: Unitary presidential republic
