The largest defense exhibition in the Middle East, IDEX-2025, has opened in Abu Dhabi. Held biennially under the patronage of the President of the UAE with the support of the government and the country's armed forces, the event features Uzbekistan among its participants, showcasing its advanced military developments, Daryo.uz reports.
The domestically produced Arslon 8×8 and Arslon 6×6 armored vehicles, designed for enhanced mobility and protection, are on display. Additionally, the To‘fon self-propelled howitzer, mounted on a truck chassis, is being showcased for the first time at the exhibition.
Uzbekistan Improves Its Position in the Global Firepower Ranking
Uzbekistan’s armed forces recently ranked 58th in the Global Firepower ranking, climbing seven positions compared to the previous year.
Mirshokhid Aslanov, General Director and co-founder of the Center for Progressive Reforms, previously noted that Uzbekistan’s military potential is often underestimated due to a lack of comprehensive official data and outdated information in international rankings. He emphasized that an objective assessment should consider factors such as the number of reserve forces, budget allocation, logistical infrastructure, modernization programs, and energy independence.
Military Modernization and Strategic Resilience
Uzbekistan continues the active modernization of its armed forces, investing in missile systems, cybersecurity, and electronic warfare technologies.
The country’s actual defense budget is approximately $3 billion, while its economic power, measured by purchasing power parity, reaches $319 billion, enabling further military modernization and infrastructure development.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
February 17, 2025