The first deliveries of weapons, military and special equipment to strengthen the Tajik-Afghan border are expected in the fall of 2026. This was stated by CSTO Secretary General Talalatbek Masadykov in an interview with TASS.
According to him, the countries of the organization have already agreed on a list of lethal and non-lethal means necessary for Tajikistan, as well as equipment to strengthen the protection of the southern border.
“I think the first deliveries will begin already in the fall of this year,” Masadykov said.
The CSTO Secretary General emphasized that the security of the Tajik-Afghan border is important not only for Tajikistan. This section is the southern frontier of the organization’s area of responsibility, and possible destabilization, according to him, could affect all CSTO countries and the region.
“If, God forbid, something happens there, it is not only a Tajik problem, it is a problem for all member countries of the organization, as well as for other states that are also part of the CIS,” clarified the CSTO Secretary General.
In June, Masadykov personally visited several sections of the Tajik-Afghan border. Together with the command of Tajikistan’s Border Forces, he familiarized himself with the situation at border posts and the progress of road construction in difficult mountainous terrain in the Shuroabad direction. At that time, the parties also discussed the implementation of the CSTO program to strengthen the border.
According to Masadykov, during the trip he traveled more than 700 kilometers along the border with Afghanistan. Its total length is approximately 1,300 kilometers.
At the same time, the main role in supplying weapons and equipment to Tajikistan, as noted by the CSTO Secretary General, falls to Russia.
He emphasized that Moscow is ready to continue providing assistance to its allies, despite existing difficulties.
What does the CSTO program provide for?
The targeted interstate program to strengthen the Tajik-Afghan border was approved by the CSTO Collective Security Council on November 28, 2024 in Astana. The decision to develop it was made back in 2013, and the program itself is designed for five years.
Its implementation is divided into several stages. In 2025, Tajikistan and other CSTO states determined the needs, capabilities of manufacturers and sources of financing. For 2026–2027, practical deliveries of weapons, military equipment and technical security means to the most difficult border sections are planned.
In 2027–2029, activities should cover the entire Tajik-Afghan section.
The need to strengthen the border came back into focus following a series of incidents. In particular, on the night of November 26, 2025, an armed attack was carried out from Afghan territory on a facility in the Shamsiddin Shokhin district. According to Tajikistan’s Foreign Ministry, the attackers used firearms and a drone with grenades, resulting in the deaths of three Chinese citizens.
Tajikistan’s authorities stated that criminal groups located on Afghan territory continue to take actions aimed at destabilizing the situation in border areas. This is why Dushanbe and its CSTO allies view strengthening the Tajik-Afghan border as one of the key tasks of regional security.
