Priority tasks for further strengthening the country’s military security and defense capability were discussed

On January 13, an expanded meeting of the Security Council on issues of strengthening military security and defense of the country.

The meeting was attended by members of the Security Council under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Cabinet of Ministers, heads of ministries and departments that are part of the Armed Forces, commanders of military districts, heads of military administrative sectors, representatives of other departments and public organizations.

Over the past years, significant work has been done to strengthen the country's defense capability.

The national army is equipped with modern weapons and equipment. The combat and moral-psychological level of training of military personnel is consistently increasing and the potential of the defense industry is being strengthened.

New tactical techniques have been introduced in the troops of the Ministry of Defense, the number and intensity of exercises have been increased by 1.5 times, unmanned aerial vehicle units and specialist training centers have been created.

As a result of the work begun on digitalization of the army, the efficiency of information security and management has significantly increased and the services provided.

At the initiative of the head of state, the military education system was radically updated, the University of Military Security and Defense was created, staffed by qualified professors, teachers and instructors.

Advanced digital learning technologies, including those based on artificial intelligence, as well as modern assessment systems have been introduced into the educational process, which has brought the quality of military personnel training to a new level.

The meeting discussed priority tasks to ensure the country's security and further strengthen its defense capability.

It was noted that various regional conflicts, the arms race is gaining momentum, and respect for universal human values, norms of international law and international diplomacy is weakening.

– One thing needs to be understood: the nature of modern war has radically changed. Anyone who thinks that they can win based solely on the number of tanks, planes or soldiers is deeply mistaken. Today's combat operations are carried out on the basis of artificial intelligence, digital control, means of delivering high-precision strikes over long distances, cyber and robotic technologies, as well as political and economic pressure, said the head of our state.

In this regard, it is emphasized that we must not forget for a moment: peace and tranquility are becoming the most valuable wealth. To preserve this wealth, it is necessary that each area and industry switch to a “proactive mode of operation,” that is, react in advance to possible risks and threats.

The Supreme Commander-in-Chief outlined the most important tasks for the future.

Priority attention will be paid to further improving the military personnel training system.

– We should not forget that the modernization of the military education and training system is the main condition for the formation of a new image of the army,” the President noted.

It is noted that compulsory military service should be organized not only as physical and military training, but also as a stage in preparing young people for the labor market and an independent profession, so that they can take a strong place in society.

In particular, a completely new system will be created in the army, providing for young people to master at least one profession upon completion of service. Based on the main areas and specialties of military units, 3-6 month professional training programs for military personnel will be developed. Upon completion of the program, military personnel will take a qualifying exam, after which they will be issued a certificate of profession.

Every year, 5 thousand conscripts will be selected who will undergo training within the framework of the “One Million Programmers” and “Five Million Leaders in Artificial Intelligence” programs.

During the period of military service, military personnel will be given the opportunity to take entrance exams exams for admission to higher educational institutions directly in their military unit. Military personnel who have successfully passed the tests and are enrolled as students will begin studying at a university upon completion of their military service.

In addition, young people who have returned from the army and want to study at higher educational institutions will be reimbursed for the costs of obtaining certificates in a foreign language and specialized subjects. In case of admission on a contract basis, an interest-free educational loan will be provided.

In addition, certain benefits are provided to ensure employment for youth returning from the army. In particular, for young people who want to start entrepreneurship, 6 percent of loan costs will be covered by the state; For young people who intend to get a job in government organizations, the practice of providing a 10 percent discount on test scores conducted by the Agency for Management Effectiveness will be introduced. Youth planning to work in the private sector will be paid the costs of mastering the profession and obtaining a certificate.

– In a word, compulsory military service should be a path to success for young people, the President emphasized.

It was indicated that the most important issue is the training of highly qualified specialists in the field of engineering, cybersecurity and countering information attacks.

In this context, the need is indicated strengthening the military-scientific base of the engineering and technical direction and the organization of military technology parks on the ground.

It is noted that along with further strengthening the combat readiness of military personnel, time itself requires regularly enriching their spiritual world.

Reading plays an important role in this. In this regard, this year all military units and institutions will be provided with 1 million copies of fiction.

In the Armed Forces, a reading competition for the prize of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief will be organized among students of military lyceums, conscripts, cadets, sergeants and officers. Conscripts who become winners and prize-winners of competitions at the district, command, ministry and Supreme Commander-in-Chief levels will have their term of conscript service reduced by one month.

Every year, competitions are held among military personnel in more than 10 traditional sports, such as kurash, hand-to-hand combat, weightlifting and others. Starting this year, three-stage competitions will also be organized in modern sports - e-sports, unmanned aerial vehicles and robotic technologies.

- Constant analysis of the regional and global situation, strengthening the potential of the national army is the requirement of today. The army of Uzbekistan must always be mobile, high-tech, adapted to new combat conditions and ready to protect the people,” the President noted.

Particular attention should be paid to equipping troops with robotic complexes and unmanned systems based on AI, light military equipment, modern weapons, and reconnaissance equipment, it was noted at the meeting.

Among the priority tasks, the President noted the further development of the defense industry, the introduction of digital technologies and AI at defense industry enterprises.

In the conditions digitalization of all spheres of state and public life, ensuring cybersecurity and strengthening the sustainability of the national digital infrastructure is of particular importance. In this regard, responsible persons were instructed to determine a set of measures to protect personal data and digital systems.

The meeting also discussed issues of the development of military infrastructure, and instructions were given to responsible persons regarding the construction and repair of defense facilities.

– A worthy assessment of the work of military personnel, social protection of their family members and military retirees must constantly be in the center of our attention, the President noted and announced important innovations in this direction.

In particular, starting from April 1, the size of the long service bonus for officers of the Ministry of Defense will be increased by 2 times. The monthly salary of ordinary military personnel and sergeants serving under contract will be increased by 10 percent.

The salaries of civilian personnel of territorial directorates and departments for territorial defense affairs will increase by 20 percent this year, and by another 50 percent next year.

For military personnel who have served in the Armed Forces for over 30 years, the amount of monthly salary taken into account when calculating pensions will be increased from 75 to 100 percent.

In addition, the construction of housing for military personnel will be expanded.

Responsible persons have been instructed to develop and submit to parliament a draft law defining the procedure for pension provision for military personnel.

Taking into account the rapidly changing content and scale of modern risks and threats and the great challenges facing the defense and security sectors, the head of our state pointed out the need to revise the Defense Doctrine adopted eight years ago, as well as the National Security Concept adopted in 1997.

Noted, that the new Defense Doctrine should ensure that our country maintains the status of non-entry into any military blocs, continues to rely on multilateral diplomacy, and develops towards a strategy based on high technologies, military independence and regional stability.

– In general, the new doctrine should serve as the basis for the technological renewal of the army and the introduction of advanced military solutions, the President noted.

In conclusion meeting, the head of our state sincerely congratulated privates and sergeants, officers and generals, veterans of the Armed Forces, members of their families and loved ones on the 34th anniversary of the formation of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Day of Defenders of the Motherland.

- Your courage, loyalty to the oath, dedication in defending the Motherland are a shining example for the entire people. May peace, tranquility and harmony always reign in our country, may our Motherland be strong and stable! - said the President.

The meeting heard reports and proposals from the Minister of Defense, commanders of military districts and other responsible persons.