President of Turkmenistan visits “Garşy” Naval Forces in Western region

Ashgabat, 11 August 2022 (TDI): Serdar Berdimuhamedov, President of Turkmenistan and the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the country, visited the “Garşy” military unit of the Naval Forces in the western region, today.

Whilst there, he inspected the “Deňiz han” corvette class warship. The pledge of security of Turkmenistan, as well as the reliability and inviolability of sea borders, are priority objectives of state policy.

This is defined in accordance with the Military Doctrine of independent neutral Turkmenistan, which is purely defensive in nature.

In this context, it was the first time in the country’s history that a garrison of the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces was established.

In the modern era, the Navy’s material and technical resources, like those of the other troops of the National Army of Turkmenistan, are constantly upgraded by providing it with cutting-edge technology and equipment, as well as ships of various classes and types.

The Naval Institute of the Ministry of Defense was established with a specialized school within it, which is a personnel training center for the Navy.

It trains highly professional personnel in demand for service on the Ministry of Defense’s warships and the State Border Service.

During the demonstrative tactical exercises, military sailors demonstrated high combat skills and mastery of the latest technology while working in coordination with representatives of all types of troops from the country’s Armed Forces.

The Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the country arrived at the venue by helicopter early in the morning. President Serdar Berdimuhamedov was greeted warmly by the heads of the military and law enforcement agencies.

B. Gundogdyev, Minister of Defense and Secretary of the State Security Council reported to the President of Turkmenistan on the readiness for the presentation of the Naval Forces’ corvette class military vessel “Deňiz han.”

After accepting the report, the country’s Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces drove to the pier.

It should be noted that a year ago, Arkadag Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, the former President personally opened and commissioned the “Garşy” military unit.

It is pertinent to note that the Deňiz han combat vessel opened the Navy’s review at the solemn parade held on October 27, 2021, to commemorate the sacred independence of the native land’s 30th anniversary.

During the examination of the warship specifications by the President, the ship captain expressed gratitude for creating the conditions for the successful fulfillment of responsible tasks.

He assured, on behalf of the entire Naval Forces personnel, Head of State Serdar Berdimuhamedov that they would continue to honestly perform their duties within the framework of military doctrine.

The advanced technologies and digital system installed in the naval vessel, as well as the electronic map and special software for the information and control system, will allow continuous monitoring of passenger and military ships in the Caspian Sea.

The review was then launched by the President of Turkmenistan. Various types of ships, combat boats of the Naval Forces, the State Border Service, the Ministries of Internal Affairs, and National Security were presented.

The parade kicked off by the “Arkadag” border patrol boat, which has proven to be effective in protecting the country’s sea borders.

It was followed by the Navy’s main strike forces, including the “Edermen” and “Gaýratly” missile boats, which were outfitted with cutting-edge weapons.

These boats are designed to destroy enemy surface and low-flying air targets, neutralizing the enemy’s landing group and reliably protecting the state at sea.

Subsequently, the 60-meter-long tug and supply ship “Eserdeň” of the Naval Forces paraded. It is used to supply fuel, drinking water, food, and other provisions and equipment, as well as in rescue operations and assisting the crews of the wrecked ships.

The naval review was followed by patrol vessels of various classes. These included border patrol boats “Asuda,” “Mergen,” “Hüşgär,” and “Synmaz” built under the “Galkan” project.

Moreover, “Nayza,” “Kämil,” “Galjan,” and “Gaplan” built under the “Sakçy” project and owned by the State Border Service followed after.

These ships are capable to engage the enemy’s underwater, surface, and air targets, as well as search and rescue missions. They are also used for reconnaissance and ship surveillance in addition to reliably guarding the sea borders.

The “Umman” hydrographic ship, which is designed to ensure the safety of ships in the Turkmen section of the Caspian Sea as well as carry out hydrographic and oceanographic work, was also presented to the country’s President.

The ship’s primary functions include bathymetric measurements in the sea, exploration of seabed relief, underwater video and photo recording, and water composition research.

Following that were the tugboats “Gujurly” and “Zarply” of the State Border Service’s Naval Forces, used for sea rescue operations, fire extinguishment, transporting non-self-propelled vessels, and supporting their maneuvers.

The State Border Service’s cargo ship “Kuwwatly” and the Naval Forces’ landing storm-boat “Berkarar,” designed to land Special Forces, troops, and military equipment as well as transport them, continued the parade.

Another ship presented at the review was the “Asuda” hydrographic vessel, which is used to explore the relief of the sea depths, measure the depth of the seabed, and collect underwater data.

It is noteworthy that after the opening of the Turkmen Ministry of Defense’s shipbuilding and ship repair enterprise in 2015, this ship began to explore the seabed.

Three border patrol boats from the State Border Service’s “TG-12 Bars” project followed. In inland waters, these vessels are used for patrol, search, and reconnaissance.

In addition, four “Master-651” type patrol boats from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, high-speed “Zodiac” type motor boats from the Ministry of National Security, and “Dahl 20” type combat boats with outboard motors from the State Border Service were all displayed.

On the occasion, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov emphasized that the state would continue to pay special attention to enhancing the material and technical resources of the Naval Forces.

This would entail improving the professional skills of military sailors, and ensuring the reliability and inviolability of sea borders, after expressing satisfaction with the high level of the review of the national fleet in the Caspian Sea.

The sacred duty of these types of troops, according to Turkmen President, is to carry out the tasks outlined in the defensive Military Doctrine.

The President of the country issued specific instructions to the heads of law enforcement agencies after expressing firm confidence that the officers and sailors of the Naval Forces will carry out the assigned responsible and noble mission with honor.

As is well known, at the initiative of the former President, a comprehensive foundation was laid for the formation of a powerful Navy in the western region. He stressed that the Caspian Sea should be a sea of friendship, good relations, and effective cooperation,

What’s more, under the leadership of Serdar Berdimuhamedov, the current President of Turkmenistan, large-scale work for the further development of the Naval Forces is being carried out this year under the motto “People’s Epoch with Arkadag.”

Currently, the Navy’s material and technical resources are being steadily upgraded, both through the purchase of the most modern equipment, machinery, and ships and through the construction of its own ships.

Military sailors’ combat and theoretical training are improved. Besides that, measures are being taken to systematically improve their service and living conditions.

In this regard, the recent event was yet another example. Furthermore, a review of the ships of the Navy of the Armed Forces of the country demonstrated unequivocally that the sea borders of independent neutral Turkmenistan are in safe hands.

Likewise, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov highlighted that one of the priorities of Turkmenistan’s state policy and ongoing military reform is the creation of optimal conditions for the service and life of homeland defenders.

In the end, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov left the venue, wishing everyone success in performing sacred military duties and proper fulfillment of the responsible mission to maintain peace and security at the Caspian Sea border.