Turkmen Air Force

The Turkmenistan Air Force is structured around a core of Soviet-era units and equipment inherited after the collapse of the USSR, now undergoing a deliberate modernization program. It operates as a distinct service branch under the Ministry of Defense, with its headquarters in Ashgabat and primary operational airbases near Mary and Ashgabat. The force is organized into several aviation regiments and squadrons, including the 99th Aviation Base at Mary-2, which operates MiG-29 fighters and Su-25 attack aircraft. A separate mixed aviation squadron based at Ashgabat fields transport aircraft and helicopters. While many older airframes inherited from the Soviet Union are not operational, the core combat capability for air defense and ground attack is maintained.

The force's operational capabilities are focused on territorial air defense and supporting ground forces. Its strategic doctrine is strictly defensive, in line with Turkmenistan's constitutionally enshrined policy of permanent neutrality, which precludes participation in military alliances. This doctrine emphasizes maintaining sufficient military strength to deter aggression and protect national sovereignty, prioritizing diplomatic and non-military measures to prevent conflict. Military exercises focus on defensive scenarios, such as repelling air attacks and countering sabotage groups. There have been no reported combat engagements, consistent with its neutral foreign policy.

A targeted program aims to replace legacy Soviet systems with a mix of Western and Turkish platforms. This effort has focused on enhancing ground-attack, transport, and reconnaissance capabilities. Recent acquisitions include Italian Leonardo M-346 Master light combat aircraft and C-27J Spartan transport aircraft. To bolster its counter-insurgency and light attack capabilities, the air force procured Embraer A-29B Super Tucano aircraft from Brazil, which are equipped with electro-optical/infrared sensors and can deploy a range of munitions. Furthermore, Turkmenistan has acquired Bayraktar TB2 unmanned aerial vehicles from Turkey, significantly expanding its unmanned surveillance and strike options. These acquisitions represent a shift from reliance on traditional Russian suppliers and provide a qualitative improvement for border security and COIN-style operations, likely driven by instability in neighboring Afghanistan.