Demonstration of unity
Uzbek military practiced drone strikes and storming defenses in exercises with Turkey and Azerbaijan
**Demonstration of Unity**
Servicemen from Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, and Turkey conducted large-scale joint exercises "Strength of Unity — 2026". The maneuvers took place at the "Gyzylgaya" training centers in the Karabakh Economic Region, "Karabakhlar" in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, as well as at the "Boyuk Zira" training ground in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea.
More than 3.5 thousand servicemen from the three countries participated in the exercises. The military practiced actions in the face of modern threats: drone attacks, electronic warfare, cyberattacks, disinformation, operations in mountainous terrain, and the liberation of seized facilities.
Special attention during the maneuvers was paid to the use of drones. More than 130 drones, over 70 units of armored vehicles, more than 90 artillery systems, and over 20 aircraft were deployed at the Gyzylgaya training ground.
The military trained to repel attacks by drone swarms, conduct aerial reconnaissance, strike mock advancing columns, and use drones to deliver ammunition and supplies. The units also practiced breaching defensive lines, mine clearance, and advancing armored vehicles.
During the maneuvers, the servicemen also learned to respond to cyberattacks and the spread of disinformation, as well as to suppress attempts of illegal border crossings using drones.
Separate episodes took place in the Caspian Sea. The military practiced liberating a seized vessel and an offshore facility, rescuing hostages, and landing amphibious forces.
Thus, Uzbekistan practiced interoperability with the armed forces of Azerbaijan and Turkey in several areas at once — from the use of UAVs and land operations to actions in maritime and information environments.
The Minister of Defense of Uzbekistan, Lieutenant General Shukhrat Kholmukhamedov, stated that the personnel demonstrated a "high level of combat readiness" and the ability to jointly perform assigned tasks.
Representatives from Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Serbia, Slovakia, Tajikistan, Georgia, Turkmenistan, the UAE, and Iran arrived at the maneuvers as observers.
The "Strength of Unity — 2026" exercises became the first joint maneuvers of such scale involving the armed forces of Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, and Turkey.