Uzbekistan is stepping up border security through expanded use of digital surveillance systems and unmanned aerial vehicles, including Turkish-made Bayraktar drones, according to local media reports.
Speaking at a Security Council meeting on defense and national security, Chairman of the State Security Service Bakhodir Kurbanov said that 42% of Uzbekistan’s border is now covered by video surveillance. He added that more than 1,100 kilometers of fiber-optic communication lines have been installed to support border monitoring.
Kurbanov also confirmed that a newly formed special unit equipped with Bayraktar unmanned aerial vehicles has begun operations, marking a significant expansion of the country’s drone capabilities.
During the meeting, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev instructed officials to revise Uzbekistan’s Defense Doctrine and National Security Concept to reflect evolving security threats and rapid technological change. According to the presidential administration, the updated documents will preserve the country’s policy of military non-alignment while placing greater emphasis on high-technology solutions, multilateral diplomacy, and regional stability.
Uzbekistan has shown increasing interest in unmanned systems in recent years, including the launch of domestic production of the Lochin («Falcon») UAV for military and civilian use. The Bayraktar TB2, one of the most widely used combat drones globally, has previously been demonstrated to the president during visits to border regions near Afghanistan.
Kursiv Uzbekistan also reports that Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev said the country’s foreign policy concept needs a revision, including an update of its priority areas.
