DUSHANBE, January 7, 2016, Asia-Plus – The winter training has been launched for the armed forces of Tajikistan.

“The training program includes marching drill, firing instruction, citizenship training and physical drill,” an official source at the Ministry of Defense (MoD) said, adding that tactical maneuvers and field exercises will also be conducted during the winter training.

According to him, the winter training period will last until July 1.

Tajikistan''s National Army now consists of Air and Air Defense Forces, Land Forces and Mobile Forces.  The Mobile Force of Tajik Army was founded in 2005 without increase in a total strength of the country’s armed forces.  Air and Air-Defense Forces were also united in 2005.  Tajikistan’s armed forces also include National Guard and Security Forces (internal and border troops).

Unlike the other former Soviet states of Central Asia, Tajikistan did not form armed forces based upon former Soviet units on its territory.  Instead, the Russian Ministry of Defense took control of the Dushanbe-based 201st Motor Rifle Division; actually control simply shifted from the former district headquarters in Tashkent (now-independent Uzbekistan) to Moscow.