On Thursday May 5, the U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe provided eight IVECO trucks, tires, and spare parts for IVECOs to Tajikistan’s Ministry of Defense to help Tajikistan secure its borders.
According to the U.S. Embassy, the vehicles, tires, and spare parts together are valued at $2.3 million and will improve the Ministry of Defense’s mobility in the uneven terrain across Tajikistan.
In October 2021, U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe provided the Ministry of Defense with 20 Jeep J8s valued at US$1.4 million.
This new donation of vehicles and spare parts will ensure that the Ministry of Defense has the ability to sustain this equipment for years to come.
U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission Bridgette Walker and Major-General Khayriddin Hukmiddinzoda, Deputy Minister for Logistics, participated in the handover ceremony for the equipment and vehicles.
Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Chief of Mission Walker noted that, “This donation is just one example of the assistance we provide to Tajikistan’s armed forces and shows our commitment to increasing Tajikistan’s ability to defend against armed militants and eradicate the flow of illegal drugs. The vehicles will significantly aid in deterring counter transnational threats such as narco-traffickers, smugglers, and violent extremists. As evidence of our strong partnership, we have committed over US$60 million in security-sector assistance to Tajikistan to be implemented and delivered over the next two years.”
Since 1992, the U.S. government has provided over US$330 million in security-sector assistance to Tajikistan. This assistance includes training, equipment, and infrastructure. As part of this assistance, the United States has provided 400 vehicles to the Tajik armed forces, valued at over US$13 million. We have also trained over 10,000 soldiers and law-enforcement personnel on effective tactics for responding to terrorist threats, combatting drug trafficking, and carrying out special operations.
The United States has partnered with Tajikistan for 30 years and has provided US$1.8 billion in development and security assistance through programs that support Tajikistan’s security, economic development, health, civil society, and education.
