Military education and digitalization of the army to be elevated to a new level

The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Shavkat Mirziyoyev, reviewed proposals aimed at improving the military personnel training system and advancing the digitalization of the army.

In modern armed conflicts, unmanned aerial vehicles, robotic systems, electronic countermeasures, and modern command-and-control technologies are seeing increasingly widespread use. This requires not only the modernization of weapons and equipment, but also the training of a new generation of specialists.

Uzbekistan is systematically advancing reforms in this area. New units for the use of drones and countermeasures have been formed within the armed forces, while a system for training unmanned aerial vehicle operators, engineers, and robotics specialists has been established.

The Head of State was briefed on the activities of these mobile units, as well as on the training of relevant personnel.

Particular attention was paid to the reform of military education.

In 2025, at the President’s initiative, measures were taken to develop this sphere and train military personnel with modern knowledge and practical skills. As a result, all military higher education institutions were granted institute status, a unified management vertical was established, and the University of Military Security and Defense of the Republic of Uzbekistan was established.

Based on analyses of modern combat operations, the actual needs of the troops, and the experience of leading higher educational institutions, new qualification requirements, curricula, and training programs are being introduced. Training is based on the principle of combining theory with practice so that future officers acquire the skills required for service in modern conditions during their studies.

Under the new bachelor-level military personnel training model, cadets will study foreign languages, information technology, and artificial intelligence in depth. For command and staff officers, a three-level training system based on advanced international experience and the study of modern armed conflicts is being introduced for the first time.

In addition, the training of non-commissioned officers will be expanded. One of the innovations envisages the introduction of distance learning for sergeants at military higher education institutions in six civilian bachelor’s degree specialties. The system for training aviation and unmanned aerial vehicle specialists is also being improved, while a unified certification procedure for Armed Forces personnel in this field is being introduced.

The presentation also addressed issues of army digitalization and ensuring cybersecurity.

In recent years, the communications infrastructure within the Ministry of Defense system has been modernized, modern information and communication technologies are being introduced, and secure data exchange channels continue to be developed.

Military programmers have developed around 50 information systems covering various areas of troop activity. In particular, the “Conscription” electronic information system, integrated with 19 ministries and agencies, has been introduced within the defense affairs bodies. This has enabled 39 types of certificates to be transferred to an online format and, for the first time, allowed conscription procedures to be conducted entirely electronically.

In military medicine, a unified medical information system and telemedicine services have been introduced, while integration with the Ministry of Health’s D-MED system has also been ensured.

In response to modern challenges, an Information Security Monitoring Center has been established within the Ministry of Defense to ensure the timely detection and prevention of cyber threats.

During the presentation, proposals were put forward for the further development of automated control systems, the expanded use of robotic and autonomous technologies, as well as the advancement of research and development activities.

Plans also envisage the establishment of a Main Directorate for Digital Technologies, a Department for Artificial Intelligence Technologies, and a Cybersecurity Laboratory within the Ministry of Defense’s central administration. A Satellite Communications Center will also be established to ensure stable communications across all regions of the country.

To conduct a unified digital policy in the defense sphere, the position of Deputy Minister of Defense has been introduced, while in military districts the introduction of deputy commander positions for digitalization, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity is planned.

Following the presentation, the Supreme Commander-in-Chief approved the proposals and signed a number of executive documents aimed at the further digitalization of the army, the introduction of modern information and communication systems, as well as artificial intelligence technologies.

Tasks were set for the full digitalization of the defense sphere, the creation of national artificial intelligence models, and the further improvement of the system for training qualified military personnel.