At a recent meeting of the Security Council of Uzbekistan, chaired by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, a course was set for significant modernization of the country's defense system. The focus will be on the revision of the Defense Doctrine and the National Security Concept, which will affirm Uzbekistan's status as a non-aligned state oriented towards diplomacy, modern technologies, and military independence.
The president noted that in modern military conflicts, the quantity of soldiers is less important than the application of technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and cyber systems. In this regard, the army will transition to a proactive mode, emphasizing the prevention of threats rather than just their elimination. Protecting digital infrastructure and personal data will become one of the main priorities.
Mandatory military service in the country will take on a new format, becoming an important stage of professional training and social mobility. Military personnel will be able to obtain at least one civilian specialty through short-term courses. Each year, 5,000 soldiers will receive training in IT and artificial intelligence. Additionally, special conditions will be provided for military personnel to obtain higher education: entrance exams can be taken directly in military units, and demobilized students will be offered interest-free loans and compensation for studying foreign languages.
Individuals who have completed their service will gain significant career advantages. The state will cover part of the interest rate on loans for aspiring entrepreneurs, and candidates applying for government positions will receive an additional 10% to their test scores. The leisure activities of military personnel will also become more technological: alongside traditional kurash wrestling, competitions in esports and drone management will be organized. Intellectual development will be supported by the transfer of one million books to military units, and reading winners will have their service term reduced by one month.
The social status of career military personnel will also change. Starting April 1, length of service bonuses for officers will double, and the salaries of contract soldiers and civilian staff will increase. Veterans with over 30 years of service will be able to receive pensions at the level of 100% of their monetary allowance. Thus, the modernization of the Armed Forces will be aimed not only at protecting borders but also at creating a highly qualified personnel reserve for the country's economy.
