CSTO will send weapons to Tajikistan to strengthen the border

The Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) will begin supplying weapons to Tajikistan to strengthen the southern borders of the alliance

The Collective Security Treaty Organization plans to start supplying arms and equipment from 2026 to strengthen the southern borders of the alliance.

As noted by the organization’s Secretary General Imangali Tasmagambetov on May 19 during a meeting of the CSTO Parliamentary Assembly in Bishkek, supplies of modern weapons and equipment to Tajikistan will begin in 2026 to strengthen the Tajik-Afghan border.

According to him, the adoption of the “Target Interstate Program for Strengthening the Tajik-Afghan Border” is a testament to the allies’ collective readiness to jointly strengthen the southern borders of the organization.

The implementation of the CSTO program to strengthen the Tajik-Afghan border is planned until 2030 and is divided into three phases.

In particular, as part of enhancing the technical equipment of border troops, the supply of modern surveillance systems, including thermal imagers, drones, and surveillance cameras, the strengthening of fortifications along the entire border line, as well as new types of weapons and armored vehicles are planned.

Since the Taliban came to power in Afghanistan, the authorities of Tajikistan have regularly warned international organizations about cross-border threats emanating from the neighboring state. However, the Taliban have repeatedly stated that neighboring countries should not feel threatened by them and that there is no danger coming from Afghan territory.

Nevertheless, Tajikistan is making efforts to strengthen its border: dozens of new border posts have been established in the southern part of the country, and the number of border troops has been increased.

Recently, the Ministry of Defense of Tajikistan conducted large-scale military exercises in the Panj district, in the Kubodiyon district, and in the Dusti district of the Khatlon region, which are adjacent to Afghanistan, to check the combat readiness of reserve forces and enhance the combat readiness of all territorial defense forces across the country.

It is noted that these activities are carried out by order of President Emomali Rahmon to ensure the defense of the state, protect the state border, and generally strengthen the country’s defense capability. According to the Ministry of Defense, men aged 18 to 55 participated in the exercises.