The culmination of the week-long celebrations on the occasion of Turkmenistan’s independence was the parade to Ashgabat, held on 27 September 2022 on the square in front of the State Tribune.
Before the parade, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov led a ceremony of laying flowers at the Monument of Independence of Turkmenistan, which was attended by, heads and representatives of the government, parliament, public organizations, political parties, elders, heads of diplomatic missions accredited in Ashgabat and foreign guests.
The solemn parade traditionally opened with a procession of units of all branches of the Armed Forces of Turkmenistan, as well as show of military equipment. The Caspian-based naval forces joined the parade in an online format.
The festivities continued with colorful performances by the branches of the national economic complex and five regions.
Here is a passage from the TDH report about the military hardware displayed at the parade:
Mechanized columns of various branches of the armed forces, headed by a multi–purpose armored car “Typhoon”, pass through the square in front of the podium.
Dongfeng Mengshi SUVs with the National Flag of Turkmenistan and battle banners of all branches of the Armed Forces of the country leave the square.
The armored car “TITAN-DS” is also presented at the current parade.
ATVs “XP-1000”, “MV-850”, “BIG BOSS-570” are designed for the rapid and unhindered performance of combat missions by special forces “Türkmen edermen”, which are equipped with modern technology that allows to destroy low-flying helicopters and armored vehicles.
Military vehicles of the brands “MRZR-D2”, “MRZR-D4”, “DAGOR” are of great help in conducting special operations. These are mobile, powerful tactical vehicles capable of moving with a significant load in areas with limited access and off-road.
The show of the equipment continues with Land Rover and NIMR AJBAN passenger military vehicles, as well as self-propelled anti-tank missile systems “KARAKAL”.
Then armored cars “NIMR” and “Al SHIBL2” drive to the square, which help the special purpose formations “Türkmen edermen” to solve the tasks.
The festive procession is continued by armored personnel carriers “BTR-80A”, used to transport units, their fire support in battle, the destruction of enemy manpower, anti-tank weapons.
This is followed by armored cars “BARS”, “TITAN-DS”, which are equipped with machine guns capable of destroying low-flying helicopters.
The BMC Kirpi MRAP armored personnel carrier with machine guns and mobile anti-aircraft missile systems on board is also presented at the current military parade.
The second mechanized column consists of specialized vehicles representing the main strike group of the land troops of the Armed Forces.
The powerful armored vehicles “T-90S”, modern infantry fighting vehicles – “BMP-2D” and “BMP-3” are in the forefront.
Then the participants of the celebration were shown anti-aircraft and anti-aircraft missile systems “Zsu-23-4 Shilka”, “Strela-10” and “KUB”, designed to destroy low-flying aircraft, helicopters and cruise missiles in all weather conditions.
As a result of the successful implementation of military transformations in the country, rocket artillery troops are being modernized by equipping them with advanced equipment. Self-propelled artillery installations, such as howitzers “2S-1 Gvozdika,” are used in these military formations. The help to disable control points, armored vehicles and enemy personnel.
Further, KAMAZ tractors with a D-30 howitzer and MAN tractors with a D-20 howitzer pass in front of the podium.
122-millimeter BM-21A Belgrad multiple launch rocket systems and the Smerch rocket artillery complex were demonstrated. These machines are featured by high combat characteristics, accuracy, power and the ability to strike long-range targets.
The third mechanized column consists of modern unmanned aerial vehicles, which have been effectively used in the formations of the National Army in recent years. They include Bayraktar TB2, which is considered one of the best in the world in its class.
The presented combat drones of the latest generation “Falko” and “SKY STRIKER” are designed to collect intelligence information, disable armored vehicles and enemy control systems by special purpose groups.
The unmanned aerial vehicles “Orbiter 2B” and gyrocopter “Autogyro Cavalon” being at the disposal of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, were also shown at the parade.
The military procession was continued by the Land Rover brand cars, on which the Rode Schwarz modern communication complexes are installed.
They are followed by advanced anti-aircraft missile systems “FD-2000”, “KS-1A”, “Pechora-2BM” and “FM-90”. According to their combat characteristics, they are considered the best in providing protection from enemy air attacks.
Then, as part of the fourth mechanized column, new cars in service with the State Border Service – KIA KLTV 141 and modern MOTOWEZDEHOD motor vehicles – follow along the area.
The multi-purpose, armored combat vehicles “Toyota HILUX”, “KIA KLTV 141” and “COBRA” are effectively used to protect the borders of the country.
This is followed by armored vehicles of the brand “Mantra” with 120 mm mortars on board. They belong to the border troops.
IVECO cars continue the festive parade. They are equipped with ZU-23 anti-aircraft missile systems for destroying air targets at low altitude and Orbiter 2B drones.
The fifth mechanized column includes modern military equipment adopted for service at the Ministry of National Security. Today’s celebration features armored combat vehicles “IVECO M65” and “Storm-Rider”.
Behind them, the Lazar III armored personnel carriers, designed to disable light armored vehicles, safely transfer a special-purpose group to a designated point, leave the square.
In the sixth mechanized column – equipment of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Armored cars of the “TITAN-DS” and “FORD HENNESSEY” brands participate in the parade.
At the disposal of the Ministry of Internal Affairs – light-armored cars of the brands “FORD ATLAS”, “Toyota Tundra”, “GMC Sierra”, “PMV Survivor II”, “TITAN-DS”.
Then the festive show continues in the air. The Air Force of the country plays a huge role in ensuring the security of the country.
Mi-17V-5 military transport rotorcraft appear in the sky above the square, designed to provide air support for land troops, transport cargo and military equipment.
Mi–24 helicopters are used to increase the firepower and mobility of units of the land forces. They are equipped with high-precision weapons for hitting ground and air targets.
This is followed by helicopters of the Eurocopter-145 brands of the interior ministry and Eurocopter-365 of the national security ministry.
The audience was also shown the helicopters “Agusta-139” and “Agusta-109” of the State Border Service. They are effectively used in the reliable protection and inviolability of the borders.
Next, a special Diamond-42 aircraft flies over the square, designed for reconnaissance flights.
Then air combat vehicles “A-29 Super Tuсano” appear in the sky, provided with high-precision weapons. They are able to support ground operations at night and during the day in various weather conditions.
AN–74 military transport multipurpose aircraft, a modern tactical military transport aircraft C-27J Spartan, as well as a group of Su-25 combat aircrafts appear in the sky.
Among the presented modern aircraft are combat aircraft “M-346”, capable of flying in all weather conditions, at various heights, over any terrain. Equipped with everything necessary to fulfill the tasks facing the Air Force, they are designed to protect the airspace, conduct reconnaissance, and support the ground forces. It should also be noted that the Hero-Arkadag Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov made a test flight on one of these aircrafts.
At the end, a large group of M-346 fighters demonstrated aerobatics and difficult turns.
///nCa, 27 September 2022, photo source – TDH