Special forces troops from Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Qatar, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan and Türkiye merged their strengths at the Eternal Brotherhood-IV military exercises in September 2025.
The training was designed to enhance military cooperation, strengthen regional security and bolster strategic partnerships among the participating militaries in the face of evolving security challenges such as terrorism.
Forging interoperability among diverse participants, each with their own unique capabilities, was the predominant aim of the extensive and varied exercise scenarios. These included combat tactics, search and rescue operations, and operational coordination.
For example, NATO member Türkiye has broad military experience in both combat operations and peacekeeping missions and brings advanced technological capabilities to the table. Pakistani troops, through hard-earned experience, possess skills in counterterrorism. And like Pakistan, Uzbekistan shares a long border with Afghanistan and is alert to instability and extremism emanating from that country.
Eternal Brotherhood sought to send a clear message to any external actors seeking to exploit regional vulnerabilities. Kazakhstan hosted the previous iteration of the exercise, Eternal Brotherhood-III, in September 2024.
The exercises are part of continuing efforts to deepen defense and diplomatic relationships across Eurasia and South Asia. This cooperation also extends to the economic and strategic realms in proposals for energy pipelines and trade corridors.
Sources: The Times of Central Asia, The Caspian Post