Terror, drugs, corruption: threats to Uzbekistan spelled out openly

The threat of terrorism against Uzbekistan remains a serious risk. This is not my personal assessment. Listen carefully. This was stated by the Chairman of the State Security Service, Colonel General Bahodir Qurbonov.

Speaking at an expanded meeting of the Security Council chaired by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on January 13 this year, which focused on strengthening the country’s military security and defense, the official responsible for national security said that there are still forces in the region seeking to carry out subversive activities.

“Against the backdrop of escalating military-political and economic tensions in the world, terrorist attacks remain the main threat to our region, including Uzbekistan. The subversive intentions of terrorist organizations based in conflict zones toward our republic persist,” the general said.

Today, the internet has become completely exposed, in every sense. Writing just a single word into a search engine is enough. Shameful and meaningful, legal and prohibited, useful and dangerous information appears instantly. There is no need to provide proof.

The head of the State Security Service also noted that the promotion of radical ideas online by representatives of religious extremist movements continues, as does the recruitment of young people, especially labor migrants abroad.

“Last year, 11 planned terrorist attacks in Uzbekistan and abroad were prevented. The destructive activities of 11 individuals from Central Asia connected to these plots were stopped,” Qurbonov said.

He emphasized that the virtual space, where citizens now spend much of their time and which has become part of everyday life, especially social media, has turned into an easy and primary channel for spreading destructive ideas, negatively affecting the religious environment.

The security official said that legal and organizational frameworks aimed at eliminating factors leading to religious radicalization have been improved. In particular, criminal liability has been introduced for illegally providing religious instruction to minors in informal settings.

“Legal and organizational mechanisms to counter factors leading to religious radicalization have been strengthened. Specifically, criminal responsibility has been established for illegally teaching religion to minors in private settings. At the same time, as part of a new approach to protect our labor migrants abroad from radical ideas, regular communication between imams and migrants has been established. Last year, 29 experienced and capable imams were sent on official visits to countries with large numbers of Uzbek labor migrants. More than 50,000 citizens were reached through events held in the United States, South Korea, and Russia,” the SSS chairman said.

Cross-border threats, drug trafficking, and the illegal movement of weapons and goods across the state border remain pressing issues. For this reason, Uzbekistan’s borders are being monitored using Turkish-made Bayraktar drones, widely regarded as among the best in their class.

Uzbekistan’s borders are guarded by Bayraktar drones

Bahodir Qurbonov also disclosed figures reflecting the modernization of the border protection system. According to him, 42 percent of the state border is equipped with video surveillance systems, and 1,117 kilometers of fiber-optic communication lines have been installed. Border troops are equipped with armored vehicles by 18 percent, watercraft by 86 percent, weapons and ammunition by 100 percent, and electro-optical equipment by 78 percent.

You may not know what all these technical terms mean, but the high percentages alone likely create a sense of reassurance.

“Units have been equipped with modern unmanned aerial vehicles. A new special unit equipped with Bayraktar UAVs has been placed on combat duty. The intensity and quality of combat training activities have been increased,” the general said.

The Bayraktar drone

You have almost certainly heard the name “Bayraktar drone” at least once in reports on global conflicts. To explain simply why it is mentioned so often: the Bayraktar TB2 is a long-endurance attack and reconnaissance drone. Its maximum speed is 222 kilometers per hour. It has a wingspan of 12 meters, can remain airborne for up to 24 hours, and can reach an altitude of 8,200 meters, which is among the best results in its category. In other words, it can serve as both a reliable defensive and offensive tool.

There has been no official information on when Uzbekistan purchased Turkish-made Bayraktar drones or how many were acquired. The presence of Turkish UAVs in the country became known after photos were published during President and Supreme Commander-in-Chief Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s visit to a military unit in Surkhandarya region on November 16, 2023.

Uzbekistan is not only using Turkish Bayraktar drones but is also expected to purchase ANKA drones from Turkey in the near future. In addition, the country is developing its own drones under the local Lochin brand.

Uzbek airports to be guarded by Lochin units

We now turn to the activities of the brigade bearing this name. Starting in 2026, the protection and security of all airports in Uzbekistan will be transferred to the State Security Service. A corresponding presidential decision was adopted in 2024, and as part of its implementation, the Lochin brigade was reorganized.

“In a short period, large-scale reforms were carried out within the brigade. Its combat readiness and training were fundamentally revised. In particular, the brigade’s weapons were fully renewed, nearly 100 units of equipment were replaced, and command and control of combat service activities were fully digitized. Combat training facilities capable of accommodating up to 700 servicemen simultaneously were built. Five administrative facilities of the brigade were newly constructed in the regions,” the general said.

According to Qurbonov, a new system has been introduced based on patrol and control groups guarding Tashkent and Tashkent Humo airports. This effective practice is planned to be extended to all airports across the country in 2026.

He added that efforts will continue to equip brigade units with light armored vehicles, quad bikes, and modern night-vision equipment.

SSS chairman admits drug crimes have doubled

Much has been done. Oversight has been strengthened. Protection systems have been modernized. However, those committing crimes appear to be keeping pace. The SSS chairman stated that the number of drug-related crimes has doubled.

In 2025, law enforcement agencies in Uzbekistan seized 3.6 tons of narcotics and halted their circulation. These figures indicate that drug-related crimes in the country doubled between 2024 and 2025.

In 2024, 1,700 kilograms of narcotics were seized from illegal circulation, while in 2025 this figure reached 3.6 tons.

The number of detained offenders increased from 2,600 to 4,500. The number of dismantled clandestine drug laboratories rose from eight to 15. Qurbonov also disclosed data on the growing use of synthetic drugs among young people.

According to him, more than 180 kilograms of synthetic substances and over one million psychotropic pills were seized in 2025.

“Synthetic drugs are becoming widespread among minors, especially those aged 14 to 25. The most alarming aspect is that dependence develops in a very short time after use,” the SSS chairman said.

Speaking about addictions that derail a person’s life, Colonel General Bahodir Qurbonov also addressed another form of dependency that fuels repeated wrongdoing: corruption.

SSS chairman pledges to eradicate corruption

According to him, in 2025, 1,083 employees of state institutions in Uzbekistan were accused of corruption and dismissed from their positions, and 661 of them were held criminally liable.

“In efforts to eliminate the corruption threat, cases of abuse of office, bribery, extortion, and other corruption-related crimes persist within law enforcement bodies and other state institutions. Last year, 1,083 employees involved in corruption and other crimes were removed from the system, and 661 were prosecuted and convicted,” Qurbonov said.

He noted that everyday, low-level corruption remains widespread in state bodies, organizations, and institutions. This is largely due to the high role of the human factor in corruption-prone interactions and the insufficient implementation of digitalization.

The SSS chairman pledged that in 2026, priority will be given to digitizing corruption-risk functions and relations, eliminating legal loopholes, raising public legal awareness, and promoting an intolerant attitude toward corruption through practical and awareness-raising measures.

It must be acknowledged that while many oppose corruption, we live in a society where illegal transactions have become normalized at even the smallest levels. You have likely encountered patients who consider it shameful not to slip a few bills into a doctor’s pocket, or drivers who view handing money to a traffic officer to avoid a fine as a sign of resourcefulness. Not to mention cases involving large sums.

As a result of such normalized offenses, Uzbekistan ranked 121st out of 180 countries in the Corruption Perceptions Index published in early 2025, maintaining its position based on the results of 2024.

The SSS chairman also said that efforts are underway to eliminate corruption in football, a sector he oversees. Football is a game of millions with a wide reach, making security and integrity especially important. For this reason, since 2019, the SSS chairman has simultaneously served as president of the Uzbekistan Football Association.

“As part of football digitalization, a national electronic football platform was developed. An online monitoring system was introduced to oversee training sessions in football academies, schools, and clubs. In addition, to prevent match-fixing and ensure transparency, fans were given access to information on referees’ activities and decisions,” the SSS chairman said.

What weapons does Uzbekistan’s defense rely on?

Did you know that commanders in the Uzbek army can control combat operations from underground positions? The phrase “underground” likely caught your attention. This was revealed by the defense minister during the Security Council meeting.

Major General Shuhrat Kholmuhammedov spoke about modern weapons, military equipment, and newly adopted combat methods within the defense system.

“During the training year, the main focus was on improving combat readiness, mastering new tactical methods, and overall preparedness. Fourteen new tactical techniques were introduced into combat regulations and training programs. Nearly 25,000 activities were conducted across the troops. The number of complex exercises, live-fire drills, and equipment operations increased by one and a half times, with 50 percent conducted at night. Training focused on enabling commanders to manage combat from underground positions, protect units from drone, aviation, and artillery strikes, and carry out rapid missions. A training center for unmanned systems specialists was established, where 340 personnel were trained and tested,” the minister said.

He also disclosed the specific types of weapons being used by Uzbekistan’s armed forces for defense.

“At the Qulquduq training ground, air defense units conducted nighttime and adverse-weather live-fire exercises for the first time using KS-1, FD-2000, Pechora, QVI-1, and FM-90 systems under the ‘one target, one missile’ principle, creating a layered air defense system. At the Kattakurgan training ground, a modernized Su-25 aircraft destroyed a simulated enemy command post and armored vehicle column from an altitude of 4,000 meters using Lizard-3 guided munitions and FAB-250 bombs,” Kholmuhammedov said.

Overall, the meeting shows that Uzbekistan is now seeking to ensure security not only through weapons, but through awareness, technology, and systems. Terrorism today threatens not only through explosions, but also through posts, videos, and ideas. Border security can no longer rely solely on barbed wire; modern technology, surveillance cameras, and drones are taking center stage. Crime statistics are no longer hidden but openly acknowledged. The most important conclusion is that national security is not solely the responsibility of force structures, but is directly linked to the state of public consciousness. If young minds are not protected from radicalism and drugs, and society is not free from corruption, even the most advanced drones, weapons, and laws will not be sufficient on their own. These reports should therefore be seen not as self-praise, but as an open warning. The threat exists, measures are being taken, but responsibility lies not only with the state, but with society — with all of us.

Nurzodbek Vohidov