The U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe has provided six Unmanned Aerial Systems to the National Guard of Tajikistan to help the country secure its borders. The Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), valued at $2.3 million, will enable the National Guard to engage in persistent monitoring in support of counterterrorism operations, the embassy said.
U.S. Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. Joel Ortez and National Guard First Deputy Commander Maj-Gen Bahriddin Azamatzoda participated in a handover ceremony for the systems on October 2. Speaking at the ceremony, Chargé d’Affaires Ortez noted, “This equipment represents more than a transfer of resources. It reflects the trust, partnership, and common goals that have characterized our countries’ relationship over many years. We hope these unmanned systems will contribute to the important work carried out by the dedicated National Guard personnel who keep safe the people of Tajikistan and the region.”
According to the embassy, the U.S. business community is ready to provide products and services that will help Tajikistan operationalize and continually enhance the effectiveness of the UAS and the more than $600 million in security sector assistance the United States has provided to Tajikistan since 1992.
