A ceremonial military parade commemorating the 34th anniversary of Turkmenistan's independence took place in the capital. The event took place in front of the State Tribune Complex and was attended by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, the State News Agency of Turkmenistan reports.

The ceremony began with the raising of the national flag of Turkmenistan to the sounds of the national anthem. Defense Minister and Secretary of the State Security Council Begench Gundogdyev asked the President for permission to begin the military parade, after which the head of state gave the command to begin the review.

The parade opened with a flag corps carrying the national flag of Turkmenistan and the battle flags of all branches of the armed forces, accompanied by a ceremonial march. National Army service members swore a sacred oath of allegiance to their homeland, the people, and the President of the country.

The first to march past the podium were cadets from the Berdimuhamed Annayev Specialized Military School of the Ministry of Defense, marching in step. They were followed by female service members who had dedicated their lives to defending the Fatherland, followed by battalions of highly trained officers from various security agencies.

Cadets from the Military Institute and the Naval Institute of the Ministry of Defense, as well as students from the Institute of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Institute of National Security, and the Border Institute, took part in the parade. Units of motorized riflemen, a battalion of Turkmen Air Force pilots, a tank battalion, artillery and anti-aircraft battalions, and marines marched.

The march of the special forces units of the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of National Security, and the State Border Service attracted particular attention. Their distinctive features were their high level of combat, theoretical, and physical training, courage, and determination.

A true highlight of the parade was the procession of mounted units on legendary Akhal-Teke horses—the "heavenly" horses that are the pride of the Turkmen people. The defenders of the Motherland, riding in DAGOR military vehicles, served alongside their faithful companions—Turkmen Alabai dogs.

The military equipment review showcased modern weaponry adopted by law enforcement agencies in recent years. The first mechanized column was led by an INKAS TITAN-DS APS armored combat vehicle. Land Rover light military vehicles, NIMR and Al SHIBL2 armored vehicles, and KIA KLTV-181 multi-purpose combat vehicles equipped with machine guns and man-portable air defense systems also passed through the square.

The second mechanized column was led by a Typhoon multipurpose armored vehicle, followed by T-90S tanks and modern BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicles. The artillery units demonstrated 2S-1 Gvozdika self-propelled howitzers.

The third column included Bayraktar TB2 combat unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) on a Mercedes-Benz ATEGO and Falco drones on a MAN TGM, as well as modern SKY STRIKER ORBITER-2B and CW-15D UAVs for tactical precision strikes. The anti-aircraft missile systems represented included the KS-1A, FD-2000, and FM-90 systems—among the most advanced modern air defense systems.

The fourth column consisted of KIA KLTV 141 military vehicles of the State Border Service and Motowezdehod motorized vehicles. The mechanized component was completed by Toyota Hilux vehicles carrying border guards and Turkmen Alabai dogs, Kia Kltv 141 and Cobra multi-role armored combat vehicles, and Mantra armored vehicles with 120mm mortars.

The aerial portion of the parade opened with Mi-17V-5 helicopters supporting ground forces and transporting cargo. This was followed by Eurocopter-145 helicopters of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Eurocopter-365 helicopters of the Ministry of National Security, each boasting high combat capabilities. Agusta-109 and Agusta-139 helicopters of the State Border Service were also on display.

The display included A-29 Super Tucano combat aircraft—light fighters designed for training Air Force pilots, destroying lightly armored vehicles, and conducting aerial reconnaissance along the border. They were followed by Su-25 and MiG-29 combat aircraft of the Ministry of Defense. Among the aircraft on display were M-346 combat aircraft, capable of flying in all weather conditions at various altitudes and designed for air defense. The air display concluded with a modern C-27J Spartan tactical military transport aircraft and two Su-25 combat aircraft.

The military unit was followed by a large civilian procession. On behalf of the government, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov was presented with an Ahal-Teke horse named Zaman, born in 2022 and belonging to the legendary Gelshikli line. This was followed by a spectacular procession of Turkmen horsemen carrying the national flags of Turkmenistan and the UN.

The performance of the Galkynyş National Equestrian Games Group, which won a gold medal at the International Circus Arts Festival in Monte-Carlo earlier this year, attracted particular attention. The riders demonstrated their refined horsemanship and complex acrobatic stunts.

Representatives of the Halk Maslahaty, the Mejlis, and public organizations participated in the celebration. Festively decorated floats representing all five regions of the country, featuring images of historical and architectural monuments and modern landmarks, paraded through the square.

Individual platforms represented various sectors of the economy: athletes from the State Committee for Physical Culture and Sports, workers in education, healthcare, construction and architecture, industry, energy, textile and carpet industries, transport and communications, the oil and gas industry, the financial and economic sector, and agriculture.

The procession concluded with cultural representatives. The celebration concluded with a vibrant vocal and choreographic performance by singers and dance groups from the country's five regions, celebrating Turkmenistan's achievements.

As noted in the statement, the parade demonstrated the high level of defense capability and combat readiness of the Armed Forces of Turkmenistan, as well as the country's achievements in various areas over the years of independence.