The tactical exercises with instruction practice are held in Turkmenistan each year on the eve of the national holiday – Victory Day to demonstrate professional technique and fighting capacity of the national army standing ready to repulse any encroachment on security of the native land and peaceful life of the people. The ‘seat of war’ is the Kelyata-Southern Central Training Centre of the Ministry of Defence of Turkmenistan near the settlement Kelyata. President of Turkmenistan, Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Turkmenistan General of the Army Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov arrived to the Kelyata-Southern Central Training Centre in the early morning.
This year’s large-scale maneuvers engaging modern military equipment and machines were tasked to detect and liquidate the subversive groups and terrorist formations, to release hostages and to neutralize gunmen. This year’s tactical exercises were titled symbolically Galkan – the Shield. The choice of the title is conditioned by the threats and challenges the world faces nowadays. Actively collaborating with the world community to combat international terrorism Turkmenistan joined 12 UN fundamental conventions. Our country profoundly contributes to the international efforts to struggle against organized crime, illicit drug trafficking and terrorism that threatens the whole mankind.
Flatly condemning any violence and encroachment on the life and freedom of an individual Turkmenistan has been heading for establishing wide mutually beneficial co-operation with the large international organisations and different countries worldwide from the very first days of independence.
Any self-sufficient state must be able to protect itself. President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov keeps saying that the sole assignment of the armed forces of independent neutral Turkmenistan is to aim its fighting strength at serving peace and emphasizes that Turkmenistan’s military doctrine is purely defensive. It is the policy of peaceableness, good neighbourliness and transparency initiated and consistently pursued by the Turkmen leader that serves as an effective instrument for maintaining stability in the Central Asian region, creating the new relationships among the members of the international community. The best evidence of that is the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy recently opened in Ashgabat that was predestined by the march of modern history of the Turkmen state
Being aware of importance of the close contacts and well-coordinated, concerted efforts for ensuring global security and localizing the existing seats of tension Turkmen specialists takes an active part in various forums and seminars to share knowledge and experience with foreign counterparts. By the way, the scenario of this year’s tactical exercises was based on the achievements and best practice of the special services of different countries that successfully perform the military operations to liquidate the terrorist groups worldwide. The fact that peaceful negotiations with criminals to prevent any possible human casualties played the special role in the conditional situations testified to the humanistic policy of the Turkmen state that regards the human life as the highest value.
On that day the President’s plane landed on the special platform not far from the arena of military operations. Minister of Defence A. Mammetgeldiev reported to the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Turkmenistan on the preparedness for the tactical exercises.
The high-ranking officials and the heads and military attaches of the diplomatic missions accredited to Turkmenistan, the foreign and Turkmen journalists were present at the polygon as observers.
The military units fulfilled the task. The young soldiers passed ‘an examination’ and demonstrated that peaceful life of the Turkmen people was in the reliable hands.
In conclusion of the military show the Turkmen pilots demonstrated the aerobatics in the skies. The spectators applauded the pilots for their brilliant technique and professionalism.
After the tactical exercises were completed President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov talked to the foreign diplomats accredited to Turkmenistan and cordially congratulated them on Victory Day. Sharing impressions the heads of the diplomatic missions noted that the tactical exercises had testified to the maturity and professionalism of the Turkmen armed forces that improved the professional skills and increase the fighting capacity with every passing year.
Emphasizing that the ultimate goal of Turkmenistan’s military doctrine was to ensure the defence capacity, the peaceful life and welfare of the Turkmen people Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov stated that the Turkmen state would stand steadfast to this course, condemn and combat any manifestation of extremism.
The Turkmen leader informed that in 2009 the tactical exercises would be held in the sea and emphasized that Turkmenistan would adhere to the international commitments that evolved from the status of permanent neutrality. Then Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov examined the up-to-date military equipment, radar installation and radio communication aids and the samples of the new military uniform for the special services.
Highly appreciating the skills and professionalism of the military units engaged in tactical exercises the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Turkmenistan emphasized that Turkmenistan would buy modern military equipment to protect the achievements of independence and neutrality. Upon concluding the meeting Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov cordially congratulated those present on Victory Day and wished happiness and peace that was of highest value in the Turkmen state.
