Military exercises with the use of drones were held in Tajikistan

Joint operational-strategic exercises “Cooperation-2026” were held in the Khatlon region.

According to the press service of the Ministry of Defense of Tajikistan, from April 6 to 10, operational-strategic exercises took place at the “Kharbmaydon” training ground in the Khatlon region involving troops and units of the region’s law enforcement agencies. 

It was reported that during the exercises, battalion-tactical drills and live-fire exercises were conducted, and the troops’ defensive capabilities were tested in mountainous conditions. Modern military equipment and technology were used to accomplish the tasks, including unmanned aerial vehicles and air defense systems. However, the Ministry of Defense did not specify which models of drones were used.

The main goal of the exercises was stated to be the conduct of special operations to neutralize illegal armed groups to ensure the security of the state border.

Previously, there were no reports that drones were used during military exercises in Tajikistan.

Experts suggest that Tajikistan has begun to strengthen its military capabilities, including through the use of drones, following the border conflict with Kyrgyzstan in 2022. Earlier, there was a report that Iran and Tajikistan opened a factory in Dushanbe for the production of Iranian unmanned aerial vehicles, but this information has not received official confirmation. 

It was reported that in May 2022, the commander of the Iranian Armed Forces attended the opening ceremony of a major project at an undisclosed location near Dushanbe. Photographs circulated showed that the Minister of Defense of Tajikistan was also present at the event.

According to some publications, the Iranian military official during his visit to Tajikistan visited the factory producing Iranian unmanned aerial vehicles “Ababil-2” with a flight range of about 200 kilometers. This drone is smaller and cheaper than the “Shahed.” However, official sources have not confirmed this information.