Army
The Uzbek army totals approximately 40,000 troops spread across four military districts. There are two operational commands in addition to a command located in Tashkent (the capital).
In 2003, a spokesman for the Uzbek Defense Ministry, Komil Jabborov, announced that the length of service for conscripts would be decreased from 18 months to 12. Furthermore, soldiers who have higher education will serve only nine months.
Uzbek officials believe shorter terms of service will help stem corruption among recruitment officials. Over the past decade, young Uzbeks have routinely paid bribes to avoid serving in the national army. Many young men resist military service because of difficult conditions. The problem of "dedovshchina," the often brutal hazing of new recruits by older soldiers, is widespread.
Uzbekistan, is considering the creation of a professional army in the long term. Much emphasis has been placed on the necessity for mobile, skilled forces that would be capable of combating terrorism and fighting other possible threats to internal and regional stability. Uzbekistan is reportedly already planning to gradually decrease the number of conscripted servicemen. Eventually, the bulk of the army’s personnel will serve on a contract basis. In addition, growing ties with the United States and Europe, as a result of the Global War on Terrorism, have increased opportunites for language training (English, French) which facilitates the training of Uzbek officers in foreign military schools.
