Turkmen Naval Forces

Turkmenistan Military unit
      Yellow, blue, and whiteAnniversariesOctober 9: Navy DayCommandersSupreme Commander-in-ChiefSerdar BerdimuhamedowCommander of the NavyLieutenant Colonel B. Annaev[1]Notable
commandersMajor General Begench Gundogdyev[2]InsigniaEnsign
Military unit

The Turkmen Naval Forces (Turkmen: Türkmenistanyň Harby-deňiz Güýçleri) is the naval warfare branch of the armed forces of Turkmenistan. Turkmenistan's Navy Day is celebrated annually on October 9.[3][4] The naval forces were directed by the Border Guard Service until 2009.

History

The Turkmenistan navy was established in 1992. From 1992 to 1997, the Navy of Turkmenistan existed as a separate division of border guard ships and boats, deployed in the city of Turkmenbashy as part of the Border Troops of the Ministry of Defense of Turkmenistan, and then transferred to the subordination of the State Border Service of Turkmenistan. In August 2009, President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhammedov announced the creation of a new independent navy, saying that it would be used to protect the nation from external threats, such as "international terrorist groups" who "would like to disturb the Turkmen people's peaceful life".[5] On 1 October 2009, Berdimuhammedov declared the previous Turkmen Navy null and void. On 22 January 2010, a 5-year program for the development of the Navy was implemented, which laid the foundation for the creation of a national Navy as part of the Ministry of Defense.[6][7]

At the end of that five-year period in 2015, the navy engaged in its first major action since establishment. Turkmen naval vessels fired on a fishing boat from Iran, sinking it and killing one of the fishermen. Iranian media referred to the navy's actions as "a move beyond diplomatic norms and contrary to international law".[8] In September 2017, it held its first naval exercises in the Caspian Sea.[9] In early 2018, efforts were continued to strengthen the navy.[10]

On 11 August 2021, President Berdimuhammedov commissioned the navy's first domestically assembled corvette, the Deniz Khan.[11][12]

Organization

In 2010, the Turkmenistan Navy consisted of 16 patrol boats and 2,000 servicemen.[13]

Ships[14]

  • Patrol Ship Sanjar
  • Deňiz han-class corvette

Base

The naval headquarters is the "Garshy" or "Dzhanga" Naval Base located at Türkmenbaşy şäherçesi in the Turkmenbashy Gulf.[15][16]

Turkmen Marines

Turkmen marines on parade.

A naval infantry (marine) unit is maintained in the Navy, the Naval Infantry Separate Brigade named after Oghuz Khagan (Turkmen: Oguz Han adyndaky Deňiz Pyýada Goşunynyň Aýratyn Brigadasy). It was issued its new colors in October 2011.[17]

Equipment

Equipment as of 2022 regardless of the operating service

Type Class Origin Number

of Ships

Displacement Length Notes/ Weapons
Corvettes (3)
Corvette Deniz Han

(C-92)

Turkey 1 1600 tonnes 91 meter 1x76mm Super Rapid Gun

8x Otomat Mk2 Anti-Ship Missiles

16x VL Mica SAM

1x 35 mm ASELSAN Gokdeniz CIWS

2x 25mm ASELSAN STOP RWS

2x12.7mm ASELSAN STAMP RWS

6x ROKETSAN ASW Rocket Launcher

2x3 Torpedo Tubes

Molniya Russia 2 550 tonnes 56 meter 1x 76mm Gun

16x Kh-35 Uran Anti-Ship Missiles

4x Igla MANPADS

2x Ak-630 CIWS

Missile Boats (16)
Missile Boat Tuzla (Serhet) Class Turkey 10 430 tonnes 56 meter 2x 40mm OtoMelara Gun

4x Otomat Mk2 Anti-Ship Missiles or 4x Marte Mk2 Anti-Ship Missiles

4x SIMBAD RC MANPADS

2x 25mm ASELSAN STOP RWS

2x 12.7mm ASELSAN STAMP RWS

6x ROKETSAN ASW Rocket Launcher

Fast Attack Missile Boat FAC 33 Turkey 6 135 tonnes 33 meter 4x Marte Mk2 Anti-Ship Missiles

1x 25mm ASELSAN STOP RWS

2x 12.7mm Machine Gun

Patrol Boats (15)
Patrol Boat Point Class USA 1 69 tonnes 25 meter 1x 20 mm Gun
Patrol Boat Sobol Class Russia 2 57 tonnes 30 meter 1x14.5 mm Machine Gun

2x Igla MANPADS

1x 30 mm Grenade Launcher

Patrol Boat Kalkan-M Ukraine 1 24 meter Machine Gun
Fast Intervenion Boat FIB-15 Turkey 10 22 tonnes 15 meter 1x 12.7mm ASELSAN STAMP RWS
Patrol Boat Grif (Grit-T) Ukraine 1 11 meter Machine Gun
Amphibious Warfare Ship (1)
Landing Craft Turkey 1 27 meter 2x 12.7mm RWS
Auxiliary Vessels
Multi-Purpose Offshore

Support Vessel

MPOSV-72 Turkey 5 2700 tonnes 72 meter 2x 12.7mm RWS
Hydrographic Survey Ship HSV-41 Turkey 1 500 tonnes 41 meter 2x 12.7mm RWS
Fast Passenger Ferry Turkey 1 140 tonnes 38 meter
Tug Boat Turkey 2 900 tonnes 32 meter

Under the Defence Ministry

Equipment as of 2015:[18]

Original nation Type Class Name Side number Notes
 Russia Missile boat Project 12418 Edermen 828 [later 211]
 Russia Missile boat Project 12418 Gayratly 829 [later 214]
 Turkey
 Turkmenistan
Speed patrol boat NTPB project Armed with French-produced SIMBAD-RC naval surface-to-air missiles[19]
 Soviet Union ambulance boat etc. SK620 No data No data
 United States landing boat type LCM-1 No data SK 156
 Turkmenistan tow No data No data No data
 Turkmenistan special ship No data No data Launched on 10 October 2015[20]

Under the DSG

Equipment includes:[18]

Original nation Type Class Name Side number Notes
 United States Patrol boat project from Point Merjin SG110 10 May 2010 at Point Jackson
 Turkey
 Turkmenistan
Fleet patrol boat NTPB project Arkadag SG111 2012
 Turkey
 Turkmenistan
Fleet patrol boat NTPB project Berkarar SG112
 Turkey
 Turkmenistan
Fleet patrol boat NTPB project Merdana SG113
 Turkey
 Turkmenistan
Fleet patrol boat NTPB project Erkana SG114
 Turkey
 Turkmenistan
Fleet patrol boat NTPB project Asuda SG115
 Turkey
 Turkmenistan
Fleet patrol boat NTPB project Mergen SG116
 Turkey
 Turkmenistan
Fleet patrol boat NTPB project Hüsgär SG117
 Turkey
 Turkmenistan
Fleet patrol boat NTPB project Synmaz SG118
 Turkey
 Turkmenistan
Fleet patrol boat NTPB project Nayza SG119
 Turkey
 Turkmenistan
Fleet patrol boat NTPB project Ezber SG120
 Turkey
 Turkmenistan
Fleet patrol boat NTPB project Algyr 211
 Turkey
 Turkmenistan
Fleet patrol boat NTPB project Hanjar ? 215
 Turkey
 Turkmenistan
Small missile boat ( Marte 2/N ) Dearsan 33 project Kämil SG121 2015
 Turkey
 Turkmenistan
Small missile boat ( Marte 2/N ) Dearsan 33 project <unknown> SG122
 Turkey
 Turkmenistan
Small missile boat ( Marte 2/N ) Dearsan 33 project Galjaň SG123
 Turkey
 Turkmenistan
Small missile boat ( Marte 2/N ) Dearsan 33 project Gaplaň SG124
 Turkey Fleet patrol boat Type АМВ Bars-12 No data
 Ukraine Patrol boat Кalkan-М No data No data Purchased in 2002.
 Ukraine Patrol boat Grid-T No data No data Purchased in 2002.
 Russia Patrol boat No data SK 131
 Russia Patrol boat No data

Naval education

Turkmen Naval Institute

In June 2010, the State Security Council of Turkmenistan announced the creation of a naval institute (Turkmen: Harby-deňiz institutynda) in Turkmenbashi.[21][22] It was officially opened by President Berdimuhamedow on Navy Day in 2015.[23][24] It is one of the more recently established military educational institutions in Turkmenistan. In September 2014, over 100 cadets of the naval institute attended a training course organized by the OSCE on maritime border security and the management of ports.[25] Candidates are admitted to the Naval Institute based on the results of entrance exams of the Ministry of Defense of Turkmenistan.[26]

The following have served as rectors of the institute:

  • Colonel Serdar Yalkabov (June 2010-3 August 2021)[27][28]
  • Captain 2nd Rank Meylis Byashimov (since 3 August 2021)

Specialized Naval School

The Specialized Naval School is a boarding school for Turkmen youth, part of the defense ministry. Admission to study at the Specialized Naval School requires youth who are in 7th grade as well as morally educated and physically strong students.[29]

Ranks and insignia

Commissioned officer ranks

The rank insignia of commissioned officers.

Rank group General / flag officers Senior officers Junior officers Officer cadet
 Turkmen Naval Forces[30]
  • v
  • t
  • e
Flot admiraly Admiral Wise-admiral Kontr-admiral 1-nji derejeli kapitan 2-nji derejeli kapitan 3-nji derejeli kapitan Kapitan-leýtenant Uly leýtenant Leýtenant Kiçi leýtenant

Other ranks

The rank insignia of non-commissioned officers and enlisted personnel.

Rank group Senior NCOs Junior NCOs Enlisted
 Turkmen Naval Forces[30]
  • v
  • t
  • e
Baş gämi starşinasy Baş starşina Birinji basgançakly starşina Ikinji basgançakly starşina Matros

See also

References

  1. ^ "Turkmenistan Altyn Asyr".
  2. ^ "Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov appointed Yaylym Berdiev Minister of Defence of Turkmenistan, and Begench Gundogdyev Commander of the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Turkmenistan". Retrieved 2017-01-24.
  3. ^ "Turkmenistan celebrates Day of Naval Forces | Turkmenistan.ru". www.turkmenistan.ru. Retrieved 2017-08-14.
  4. ^ "Глава Туркмении провел смотр кораблей ВМС на Каспии". РИА Новости (in Russian). 2015-10-10. Retrieved 2017-08-17.
  5. ^ "Turkmenistan Plans Caspian Naval Base". RFE/RL. 31 August 2009.
  6. ^ "Defense & Security Intelligence & Analysis: IHS Jane's | IHS". articles.janes.com. Retrieved 2017-08-17.
  7. ^ "Туркменские военно-морские силы".
  8. ^ "Turkmen Navy Sinks Iranian Fishing Boat". RFE/RL. 1 February 2015.
  9. ^ Gurt, Murat (5 September 2012). "Turkmen navy holds war games in gas-rich Caspian". Reuters.
  10. ^ "Turkmenistan strengthening its Naval Forces". Azernews. 31 January 2018.
  11. ^ "Turkmenistan: Out at sea | Eurasianet".
  12. ^ "Turkmenistan Comissions [sic]. Its First Turkmen-Class Corvette "Deniz Han"". 16 August 2021.
  13. ^ "Turkmenistan's Naval Plans: Promoting its Maritime and Energy Interests - Jamestown".
  14. ^ "The head of the state has taken part in the opening of new buildings of the Armed Forces of the country".
  15. ^ "SerdarGB visited the Caspian naval base and watched the parade of the national military fleet". News Central Asia. 11 August 2022. Archived from the original on 31 May 2023. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  16. ^ Scarano, Matteo; Dominguez, Gabriel. "Turkmenistan Navy commissions new corvette". Janes. Archived from the original on 29 May 2023. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  17. ^ "Ceremonies of handing military standards held in Turkmenistan | Turkmenistan.ru". www.turkmenistan.ru. Retrieved 2020-12-25.
  18. ^ a b http://www.regnum.ru/news/polit/1454436.html Президент Туркмении учредил День Военно-морских сил страны
  19. ^ "Turkmenistan's Navy Shows Off New French Missiles | Eurasianet".
  20. ^ Глава Туркмении провел смотр кораблей ВМС на Каспии | РИА Новости
  21. ^ "Turkmenistan's naval academy". Eurasianet.
  22. ^ "Turkmenistan establishes Naval Institute under Ministry of Defense". www.turkmenistan.ru.
  23. ^ "Turkmen Navy starts taking shape – Berdiev promoted to 4-star General – News Central Asia (nCa)". www.newscentralasia.net.
  24. ^ "Turkmenistan - Navy". www.globalsecurity.org.
  25. ^ "OSCE Centre trains Turkmenistan cadets in land and maritime security - OSCE". osce.org.
  26. ^ "Türkmenistanyň Goranmak ministrliginiň Harby-deňiz institutyna 2019-2020-nji okuw ýylynda okuwa kabul etmegiň TERTIBI".
  27. ^ "Указ Президента Туркменистана о Ялкабове С.А." tdh.gov.tm. Retrieved 2022-12-26.
  28. ^ "ЯЛКАБОВ Сердар Аймухаммедович | ЦентрАзия". centrasia.org. Retrieved 2022-12-26.
  29. ^ http://milligosun.gov.tm/yoritelesdirilen-harby-deniz-mekdebi/?lang=en[dead link]
  30. ^ a b "TÜRKMENISTANYŇ KANUNY Harby borçlulyk we harby gulluk hakynda (Türkmenistanyň Mejlisiniň Maglumatlary 2010 ý., № 3, 58-nji madda) (Türkmenistanyň 01.10.2011 ý. № 234-IV Kanuny esasynda girizilen üýtgetmeler we goşmaçalar bilen)" [LAW OF TURKMENISTAN On military service and military service (Information of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan, 2010, No. 3, Article 58) (as amended by the Law of Turkmenistan of October 1, 2011 No. 234-IV)] (PDF). milligosun.gov.tm (in Turkmen). Ministry of Defense (Turkmenistan). pp. 28–29. Retrieved 2 June 2021.

External links

  • Janga Naval Base on OpenStreetMap