By Stijn Mitzer
The Central Asian region isn't exactly well-known for its armed-drone prowess. Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan currently operate small numbers of unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs), with Kyrgyzstan having entered the age of drone-powered warfare only in late 2021. [1] Whilst Uzbekistan possesses a modest unmanned aerial reconnaissance capability in the form of several RQ-11 Ravens received from the US in 2018, it can be argued that only one Central Asian country has been expanding its unmanned arsenal to keep up with the newest trends: Turkmenistan.
The Central Asian region isn't exactly well-known for its armed-drone prowess. Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan currently operate small numbers of unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs), with Kyrgyzstan having entered the age of drone-powered warfare only in late 2021. [1] Whilst Uzbekistan possesses a modest unmanned aerial reconnaissance capability in the form of several RQ-11 Ravens received from the US in 2018, it can be argued that only one Central Asian country has been expanding its unmanned arsenal to keep up with the newest trends: Turkmenistan.
Over the past decade, Turkmenistan has built-up its unmanned aerial capabilities through the acquisition of several U(C)AV types from China, Turkey, Israel, Italy and Belarus. At the same time, the country has also attempted to set up a production line for several UAV designs sourced from Belarus, although the types assembled so far are limited in mission scope and capabilities. [2] Still, it is entirely possible that experience gained with their production could one day lead to the license production of larger systems from Belarus or a different country entirely.
But in the late 2000s such ambitions were still a distant dream, with Turkmenistan operating little in the way of UAVs up until that point. In fact, its only unmanned aerial systems consisted of a great number of La-17 target drones the country inherited from the Soviet Union after achieving independence in 1991. For its first true unmanned aerial vehicles, Turkmenistan turned to Israel for the acquisition of Orbiter 2Bs from Aeronautics Defense and Skylarks from Elbit respectively. Both of these reconnaissance UAVs continue to see active service today.
In 2009 it was reported that Turkmenistan was in the process of purchasing a number of ZALA 421-12 unmanned aerial systems from Russia for use with the Ministry of Internal Affairs in counterterrorism operations, with the Russian ZALA Aero company apparently outbidding British and Israeli companies in the tender. [3] Whether this acquisition actually materialised remains unknown however, as the type has never been spotted in Turkmenistan despite the frequent sighting of other UAV types.
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A Turkmen Orbiter 2B is catapulted into the air. |
It's certainly possible for the various branches of Turkmenistan's Armed Forces to procure UAVs from different sources however. In Turkmenistan, the Ground Forces, Air Force, State Border Service, Ministry for National Security and the Ministry of Internal Affairs all operate vast quantities of heavy weaponry, aircraft and even naval ships acquired from a multitude of countries. It is not unthinkable that the country's current UAV arsenal is divided between these branches, with the UCAVs presumably operated by the Turkmen Air Force.
In the early-2010s Turkmenistan sought to fulfill its requirement for a larger UAV type with a longer endurance. Rather than attempting to purchase these from Israel, Turkmenistan contracted the Italian Selex ES company for the delivery of three Falco XNs. [4] These were delivered in 2011 and based at Ak-Tepe-Bezmain air base near the capital Ashgabat, which has become the main hub for UAV operations. [5] With an endurance of up to 14 hours, the Falcos gave Turkmenistan a true unmanned reconnaissance capability years ahead of any other Central Asian country.
In 2013 came the surprise announcement that Turkmenistan and Belarus had signed an agreement to set up a production line for Belarusian UAVs in Turkmenistan. [2] Construction of 'The Center for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles' began the same year, and the facility was opened by President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov in August 2015. During the opening ceremony, the President signed a Busel M UAV, one of the types to be assembled at the Center. Known as the 'Asuda Asman' (Calm Sky) in Turkmenistan, the Busel M is one of three types produced at the Center along with the larger Busel M40 UAV and Busel MB2 UCAV. [6] The production of Busel MB1 loitering munitions has also been speculated, but has not yet been confirmed.
The launch of a production line for UAVs in Turkmenistan was a notable feat, as the country had no defence industry to speak of prior to the establishment of the Center. The production of the first UAVs was scheduled to commence in the second half of 2016, although this appears to have been delayed by some time. [6] In the same year it was also announced that negotiations were underway for the supply of Burevestnik MB UCAVs from Belarus, likely to be produced at the Center as well. [7] An eventual deal for the systems failed to materialize however. When President Berdimuhamedov visisted the 'The Center for UAVs' again in February 2021, it was reported that the facility was to be modernised to increase its production capacity, possibly paving the way for the production of newer designs. [8]
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President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow stands next to a license-produced Busel M40 UAVs and Busel MB2 UCAVs. |
In the meantime Turkmenistan also sought to expand on its reconnaissance capabilities through the acquisition of five DA-42MPP manned surveillance aircraft from Austria. It is believed that these were specifically acquired with border surveillance duties in mind. Turkmenistan shares a 804km border with volatile Afghanistan, prompting Turkmenistan to increase its military presence on the frontier. Perhaps as a direct result, the DA-42MPPs are among the most elusive aircraft operating in the country. The DA-42MPPs are equipped with a under-nose FLIR turret, and their 13 hour long endurance makes them ideally suited for conducting surveillance along the country's borders.
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Turkmenistan's entire fleet of DA-42MPP surveillance aircraft seen during the country's 30th anniversary of independence parade in September 2021. |
While the earlier acquisition of CH-3As and WJ-600A/Ds made Turkmenistan a logical operator of the next systems in the Chinese UCAV lineage, either consisting of the CH-4B or the Wing Loong series, Turkmenistan instead turned to Turkey for the acquistion of more UCAVs. It is not unthinkable that the Turkmen Air Force ran into technical problems while operating its Chinese CH-3A and WJ-600A/D UCAVs, ultimately leading the country to acquire Bayraktar TB2s from Turkey as more cost-effective replacements.
Turkmenistan's TB2s come equipped with a German ARGOS-II HDT EO/IR FLIR system produced by Hensoldt rather than the WESCAM MX-15D or Aselsan CATS and up to four MAM-L or MAM-C munitions. The country's TB2s also feature a number of improvements over earlier versions of the drone, including what appears to be an anti-jamming device located on top of the fuselage and a second tail-mounted camera for night operations.
Although Turkmenistan has historically operated its Chinese and Italian-made U(C)AVs out of Ak-Tepe-Bezmain air base near the capital Asghabat, it appears that the Bayraktar TB2s will be based at a newly-constructed air base designed specifically with UAV operations in mind. Situated north of Ashgabat, this small air base was still under construction during President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow's visit to the area in February 2021. Located adjacent to 'The Center of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles', the base is the first of its kind in the region and clearly signifies the value Turkmenistan puts in UAVs and their effective operations.
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The air base adjecent to the 'Center of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles'. |
It was after the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh War that Turkmenistan again sought to introduce an entirely new capability to its fleet of unmanned aerial systems. This manifested itself in the acquisition of SkyStriker loitering munitions from Israel, which were used with great effect by Azerbaijan against Armenian troop concentrations, armoured vehicles and defensive positions during the 2020 War. It doesn't seem implausible that through the acquisition of Bayraktar TB2s and SkyStrikers Turkmenistan attempts to closely replicate the unmanned offensive capabilities and tactics of Azerbaijan. Whatever the reason behind their purchase, the acquisition has meanwhile propelled Turkmenistan to the front of drone capabilities.
(Click on the UAV to get a picture of them in Turkmen service)
Surveillance Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
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Aeronautics Defense Orbiter 2B Two configurations: (2)![]()
Elbit Skylark (Used in conjuction with a ground-based rapid mine laying system)![]()
Selex ES Falco XN [2011]![]()
Busel M ''Asuda Asman (Calm Sky)'' [2015]![]()
Busel M40 ''Asuda Asman (Calm Sky)'' (License-produced in Turkmenistan)![]()
ZALA 421-04М [2009] (Documented by a few sources, not yet seen)
ZALA 421-04М [2009] (Documented by a few sources, not yet seen)Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles
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CASC Rainbow CH-3A [2016] (Armed with AR-1 [10km range] AGMs)![]()
WJ-600A/D [2016] (Armed with CM-502KG [20km+ range] AGMs)![]()
Bayraktar TB2 [2021] (Armed with MAM-C and MAM-L [15+km range] PGMs)![]()
Busel MB2 (Armed with F1 grenades and PTAB-2.5 and PFAB-05 small bombs. License-produced in Turkmenistan)
Loitering Munitions
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SkyStriker [2021]![]()
Busel MB1 (Documented by a few sources, not yet seen)
Vertical Take-Off and Landing Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
UAVs with an unknown purpose
Turkmenistan has also sought to address the possible threat of enemy unmanned aerial systems being used against it by acquiring several types of offensive and passive counter-UAV systems aimed at neutralizing or disrupting the operations of UAVs. This has included anything from handheld drone guns to long-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems and even advanced jamming systems. The Turkmen Armed Forces operate a large number of surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems. Several of the counter-UAV systems are produced at 'The Center of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles', which have so far been installed on buildings of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and on other government buildings. [8]
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Several types of anti-drone radars and electro-optical devices on display at the 'The Center of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles'. |
Also in the inventory of Turkmenistan are a number of German Rohde & Schwarz communications jamming system new electronic warfare (EW) systems installed. These highly-advanced systems can be used to intercept and disrupt enemy communications in the HF/VHF/UHF range. The truck-based system features a combined wideband detector and exciter, which enables it to jam both normal and more advanced frequency-hopping radiocommunications systems at high hop rates. [2] It seems plausible that Turkmenistan will attempt to further its capabilities in the field of jamming, with the Turkish Koral EW systems being a logical contender for purchase.
Turkmenistan's recent purchases of Chinese, Turkish and Israeli UCAVs and loitering munitions has meanwhile allowed the country to become the strongest drone power in the region. Although Kazakhstan operates four Chinese Wing Loong Is and has recently purchased three TAI Ankas from Turkey, it seems unlikely that Turkmenistan is ever to lose its lead. Considering its the country's regular purchases of arms equipment it is likely to continue to advance its UAV capabilities to maintain its lead and follow worldwide developments.
Future additions to its drone fleet could include accompanying jammer systems such as the KORAL from Turkey's Aselsan and newer types of drones such as the TAI Aksungur and the Bayraktar Akıncı. Especially the addition of the latter would allow it novel capabilities, such as precision-guided bombs, cruise missiles and even air-to-air missiles. These are lacking in the inventory of the Turkmenistan Air Force today, allowing it to be a leader in drones.
[1] Turkish Drones Are Conquering Central Asia: The Bayraktar TB2 Arrives To Kyrgyzstan https://www.oryxspioenkop.com/2021/12/turkish-drones-are-conquering-central.html
[2] Belarus To Manufacture Drones In Turkmenistan https://eurasianet.org/belarus-to-manufacture-drones-in-turkmenistan
[3] Zala Aero To Deliver UAVs To Ministry of Internal Affairs of Turkmenistan https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/uv-online/zala-aero-to-deliver-uavs-to-ministry-of/
[4] Italia: ecco le armi esportate da Berlusconi a dittatori e regimi autoritari https://www.unimondo.org/Notizie/Italia-ecco-le-armi-esportate-da-Berlusconi-a-dittatori-e-regimi-autoritari-135097
[5] L’export armato italiano ai regimi dell’ex URSS Intervista a Giorgio Beretta https://www.rainews.it/dl/rainews/articoli/L-export-armato-italiano-ai-regimi-dell-ex-URSS-Intervista-a-Giorgio-Beretta-b0a850b2-32fd-457e-b715-9f43da2b047e.html?refresh_ce
[6] Президент Бердымухамедов осмотрел центр по производству беспилотников https://www.hronikatm.com/2021/02/uav-production/
[7] Белоруссия начала поставку беспилотников в Туркменистан https://www.hronikatm.com/2016/07/belorussiya-nachala-postavku-bespilotnikov-v-turkmenistan/
[8] The President of Turkmenistan inspects the activity of the Center of unmanned aerial vehicles https://tdh.gov.tm/en/post/26063/president-turkmenistan-inspects-activity-center-unmanned-aerial-vehicles
