Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, May 12 / Trend H.Hasanov /
Turkmen President Gurbangulu Berdimuhammedov lauded the Galkan-2010 ("Shield-2010") military tactical exercises on the eve of the Victory Day, the Altin Asir television channel reported today.
Berdimuhammedov made the statement at the Turkmen State Security Council. The training was "a further confirmation of the high combat readiness and defense capacity of the army," he said.
Soldiers were awarded state medals for exemplary duty.
Turkmenistan adheres to the status of a neutral state and has not joined any military or political blocs. Such exercises in Turkmenistan are held each spring to conduct operational activities for the capture and destruction of subversive and terrorist groups.
The Turkmen media reported that the army recently received new military equipment, such as combat aircraft and helicopters, T-90 tanks, BMP-3 infantry combat vehicles, and Tornado multiple launch rocket systems.