Turkmen Naval Forces
The Turkmen Naval Forces is the naval warfare branch of the armed forces of Turkmenistan. Turkmenistan's Navy Day is celebrated annually on October 9. The naval forces were directed by the Border Guard Service.
History
The Turkmenistan navy was established in 1992. From 1992 to 1997, the Navy of Turkmenistan existed as a separate division of border guard ships and boats, deployed in the city of Turkmenbashi as part of the Border Troops of the Ministry of Defense of Turkmenistan, and then transferred to the subordination of the State Border Service of Turkmenistan. In August 2009, President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhammedov announced the creation of a new independent navy, saying that it would be used to protect the nation from external threats such as "international terrorist groups" who "would like to disturb the Turkmen people's peaceful life". On 1 October 2009, Berdimuhammedov declared the previous Turkmen Navy null and void. On 22 January 2010, a 5-year program for the development of the Navy was implemented, which laid the foundation for the creation of a national Navy as part of the Ministry of Defense.At the end of that 5 year period in 2015, the navy was engaged in its first major action since establishment. Turkmen naval vessels fired on an fishing boat from Iran, sinking the boat and killing one of the fishermen as a result. Iranian media referred to the navy's actions as "a move beyond diplomatic norms and contrary to international law". In September 2017, it held its first naval exercises in the Caspian Sea. In early 2018, efforts were continued to strengthened the navy.
Organization
The main naval base of Turkmenistan is Dzhanga Naval Base located in the port of Turkmenbashi. In order to control and regulate access to the naval base, barriers were installed by the NICE Ltd. at several points: at the entrance of the base, the military lodgings, the construction site, the docks, and the ammunition depot. In 2010, the navy of Turkmenistan consisted of 16 patrol boats and 2,000 servicemen. A naval infantry battalion is maintained in the through the Turkmen Ground Forces.Equipment
Under the Defence Ministry
Equipment as of 2015:| Original nation | Type | Class | Name | Side number | Notes |
| Missile boat | Lightning 12418 | Edermen | 828 | ||
| Missile boat | Lighting 12418 | Gayratly | 829 | ||
| Speed patrol boat | NTPB project | Armed with French-produced SIMBAD-RC naval surface-to-air missiles | |||
| ambulance boat | etc. SK620 | No data | No data | ||
| landing boat | type LCM-1 | No data | SK 156 | ||
| tow | No data | No data | No data | ||
| special ship | No data | No data | Launched on 10 October 2015 |
Under the DSG
Naval education
Turkmen Naval Institute
In June 2010, the State Security Council of Turkmenistan announced the creation of a naval institute in Turkmenbashi. It was officially opened by President Berdimuhamedow on Navy Day in 2015. In September 2014, over 100 cadets of the naval institute attended a training course organized by the OSCE on maritime border security and the management of ports.Candidates are admitted to the Naval Institute based on the results of entrance exams of the Ministry of Defense of Turkmenistan.