Shield and Glory of the Fatherland: Turkmenistan Celebrates Independence Day
The nation’s principal holiday, marking three and a half decades of sovereign development, was celebrated with grand festivities across the country. The centerpiece of the September 27th anniversary was a massive military parade and a colorful celebratory review held in the square before the State Tribune in Ashgabat; the event was attended by President of Turkmenistan and Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, General of the Army Serdar Berdimuhamedov.
The anniversary morning began with a tribute to the roots of sovereignty: the Head of State took part in a solemn flower-laying ceremony at the Independence Monument—a majestic symbol of the freedom and enduring statehood of the Turkmen people.
The festivities then shifted to the square in front of the State Tribune, where members of the Government, the Khalk Maslakhaty, and the Mejlis gathered alongside heads of military and law enforcement agencies, regional governors (hyakims), and leaders of ministries, departments, and public organizations. Among the distinguished guests were heads of foreign diplomatic missions and numerous international delegations that had arrived in the white-marble capital to share in the joy of this historic anniversary with the Turkmen people.
At 10:00 a.m., President of Turkmenistan and Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the country's Armed Forces, Army General Serdar Berdimuhamedov, arrived at the parade venue. After receiving the report from the Minister of Defense and Secretary of the State Security Council, Begench Gundogdyev, regarding the personnel's readiness for inspection, the Head of State reviewed the parade formations, greeting the servicemen who stand guard over the peace and tranquility of their native land.
Ascending the state reviewing stand, Serdar Berdimuhamedov signaled the start of the parade. The National Anthem played, and the State Flag of Turkmenistan was raised high above the square. Precise ranks of officers, soldiers, and cadets—united in spirit—swore an oath of loyalty to the Motherland, the people, and the President. Marching with precision, the color guard led the ceremonial procession.
Next came the cadets of the Ministry of Defense’s Berdimuhamed Annaev Specialized Military School—the future of our army, its pride, and the bearers of its glorious traditions. A proud marching contingent of female service members added a special highlight to the celebratory formation.
Displaying courage and impeccable discipline, the Ministry of Defense officers' battalion, along with parade contingents from the State Border Service, the State Customs Service, and the State Migration Service, marched past the reviewing stand. The continuity of generations and the high standard of modern military education were demonstrated by the orderly columns of cadets from the Institute of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Institute of National Security, and the Border Institute.
Motorized infantry, tank crews, artillery units, and a battalion of Air Force pilots demonstrated the highest level of combat readiness.
For the first time in the history of these celebratory parades, military signal troops marched across the square. Marine units, mountain infantry battalions, and the legendary elite special forces units known as "Türkmen edermen"—comprising personnel from the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of National Security, and the Border Guard Service—stood as an impenetrable wall in the face of any challenge.
A traditionally picturesque highlight of the parade was the appearance of mounted units from military and law enforcement agencies; a disciplined formation of 35 riders on noble Akhal-Teke horses vividly evoked the centuries-old traditions of the Turkmen warrior.
The display of military hardware showcased the ongoing modernization of the national army and Turkmenistan’s formidable defense capabilities. On a massive screen positioned in front of the reviewing stand, spectators watched a live broadcast of a naval parade taking place in the Caspian Sea. Leading the naval flotilla was the Navy’s flagship, the corvette Deňiz han, equipped with high-precision missile and artillery systems capable of engaging targets across all operational environments. It was followed by the missile ships Edermen and Gaýratly, which reliably safeguard the country’s maritime borders.
The ground-based segment of the military hardware parade featured six mechanized columns showcasing the latest weaponry. The first column included "Inkas Titan" armored vehicles; "Dagor" vehicles accompanied by loyal four-legged guardians—Turkmen Alabay dogs; "Land Rover" all-terrain vehicles equipped with "Rohde & Schwarz" communication systems; "Al Shibl-2," "Al Asifa-2," and "Nimr" armored vehicles; as well as "KIA KLTV-181" vehicles carrying state-of-the-art reconnaissance assets—"DJI Matrice 30T" UAVs. The formidable "Türkmen Edermen" special forces contingent was represented by "BTR-80A" armored personnel carriers and "Kirpi" armored vehicles, equipped with MANPADS and machine guns.
The second column showcased the "Typhoon" multi-role armored vehicle; heavy transport platforms carrying modernized "T-72M" and "T-90S" tanks, "BMP-2D" and "BMP-3" infantry fighting vehicles, and "Cobra" armored vehicles; "ZSU-23-4 Shilka" anti-aircraft systems; and "2S1 Gvozdika" howitzers towed by "MAN" trucks. Firepower capabilities were demonstrated by "BM-21A Belgrad" and "Smerch" multiple launch rocket systems. Engineering troops presented "HZ-100" pontoon bridge sets mounted on "Shacman" chassis.
Led by the "Inkas Titan" armored vehicle, the third column stood as a triumph of unmanned technology. Passing before the reviewing stand on Mercedes-Benz Atego and MAN mobile platforms were Bayraktar TB2 strike-reconnaissance UAVs; high-precision systems such as the Sky Saker FX-80, Sky Striker, Orbiter-2B, and CW-15D; Point Blank loitering munitions; and—making their parade debut—ThunderB-VTOL drones. A true highlight was the Kata:Na Plus system, featuring remotely controlled surface vessels. The high level of technical reconnaissance capabilities was demonstrated by the ÝLS-18A radar complex and the DWL-002 electronic monitoring system.
Impeccable precision in maintaining an air defense shield was demonstrated by the FM-90, KS-1A, and FD-2000 surface-to-air missile systems, as well as the state-of-the-art FK-2000 air defense missile-artillery system mounted on the KDP-2000 platform.
Specialized vehicles belonging to the Border Service, the Ministry of National Security, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs demonstrated high mobility and advanced equipment. Parading across the square were KIA KLTV 141 combat vehicles, ATVs, and Toyota Hilux off-roaders—carrying service Alabay dogs alongside military personnel—as well as PMW Survivor II and Mantra armored vehicles (equipped with 120mm mortars), Storm-Rider and Lazar III vehicles, and assault vehicles including the Ford Hennessey, Ford Atlas 150, Toyota Tundra, and GMC Sierra. Motorized columns of Honda and Yamaha motorcycles added a striking, distinctive touch.
Then, aircraft appeared in the skies over Ashgabat. True aces commanded the aerial parade. The shifting dynamics of the flight display were a veritable poem in motion: first, light combat and patrol helicopters—Mi-17V-5s, Mi-24Ps, Eurocopter-145s, Eurocopter-365s, and Agusta-139s—swept over the square like swift, agile "iron dragonflies."
Following them, like mighty mountain eagles soaring smoothly, confidently, and proudly over their native expanses, came the heavy aircraft: the C-27J Spartan military transport giants, A-29 Super Tucano and M-346 combat aircraft, and the formidable Su-25 attack aircraft of the country's Air Force, leaving symbolic festive trails in the sky.
The military portion of the parade concluded with the precision maneuvers of the Separate Honor Guard Battalion and a performance by the Combined Military Orchestra of the Armed Forces; their musical performance served as an inspiring prelude to the civilian segment of the celebration.
The festivities continued with a symbolic moment: two horsemen in national costumes led a dun-colored steed named Vatan ("Homeland") into the square. Adorned in ornate, jewel-studded tack, this descendant of the legendary Khankerven and Shaperi bloodlines was presented as a gift to President Serdar Berdimuhamedov on behalf of the country's government officials, in honor of the 35th anniversary of independence.
Next, the riders of the world-renowned "Galkynysh" National Equestrian Games Group paraded across the square; they are champions of international circus festivals and winners of the Audience Choice Award at the European World Equestrian Championship, having triumphantly showcased the art of Turkmenistan in Monaco, Azerbaijan, Turkey, and the Netherlands.
Pages of history came to life in a vibrant, costumed spectacle before the grandstands: a theatrical performance evoked the figure of the nation’s forefather, Oguz Khan, alongside other great historical figures.
Then, a grand showcase of achievements in peaceful development unfolded. A unified festive procession featured floats representing parliamentarians, public organizations, and the city of Arkadag—which holds the special legal status of a city of state significance—as well as the white-marble capital, Ashgabat, and the country’s five provinces (velayats): Ahal, Balkan, Dashoguz, Lebap, and Mary. These regions displayed their major historical monuments and magnificent new developments on picturesque panels.
The procession featured key ministries, agencies, and sectors: sports, education, healthcare, urban planning, the chemical and energy industries, trade, the textile industry, the finance and economy sector, transport, the economic flagship—the oil and gas complex—as well as the agro-industrial sector and masters of culture.
Following the parade, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov took part in a ceremony awarding state honors to the heads of military and law enforcement agencies, acknowledging their invaluable contribution to strengthening the independence and ensuring the security of the Motherland.
The anniversary celebrations continued into the evening. The day concluded magnificently with a festive concert featuring performing artists and pop singers in the square in front of the "Älem" Cultural and Entertainment Center. As darkness fell over white-marble Ashgabat, the capital’s night sky was illuminated by a grand, dazzling fireworks display, painting the peaceful sky of independent Turkmenistan with millions of brilliant lights.
