Turkmenistan & other Central Asia air forces

[OPSSG]

Turkmenistan has strengthened its air force through the acquisition of new M-346s and the upgrade of its MiG-29s and Su-25s.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1440663974274424841

In May 2020 the Italian Senate disclosed that Turkmenistan had placed a 293.1 million euros order for four M-346FAs (Fighter Attack) and two M-346FTs (Fighter Trainer) in 2019. Based on the types of weaponry known to have been purchased for the A-29Bs, it is possible that no precision-guided armament has (yet) been acquired for the M-346s.

 

[Masquerader]

Last April there were reports that the Uzbek Air Force was considering buying the JF-17 Thunder.

Uzbekistan Eyes Acquisition of China's JF-17 Multirole Fighter Jets

Uzbekistan is reportedly moving toward acquiring China's advanced JF-17 Block 3 multirole fighter jets to enhance its air capabilities.

caspianpost.com

With Over Fifty Aging MiG-29s and Su-27s, Uzbekistan Seeks Replacement From China, Not russia | Defense Express

This interest could be a stark example of how China is pushing out not only russian but also European competitors in the global arms market

en.defence-ua.com

 

[Feanor]

Last April there were reports that the Uzbek Air Force was considering buying the JF-17 Thunder.

Uzbekistan Eyes Acquisition of China's JF-17 Multirole Fighter Jets

Uzbekistan is reportedly moving toward acquiring China's advanced JF-17 Block 3 multirole fighter jets to enhance its air capabilities.

caspianpost.com

With Over Fifty Aging MiG-29s and Su-27s, Uzbekistan Seeks Replacement From China, Not russia | Defense Express

This interest could be a stark example of how China is pushing out not only russian but also European competitors in the global arms market

en.defence-ua.com

It would be a logical purchase. Russia's "cheap" option is the heavy twin-seater Su-30SME for friends and neighbors, and some Su-30MK variant for others. The MiG-29 line theoretically can put out MiG-29Ms or MiG-35s but they're low volume, making them potentially more expensive than the extremely mass-produced Flanker family. And in the current climate, it's unlikely Uzbekistan would buy western jets. They would be expensive and pose significant integration difficulties.