Shukhrat Kholmukhamedov

Shukhrat Gayratjonovich Kholmukhamedov studied at the Academy of the Armed Forces of Uzbekistan and has served in the military sphere since 1999. Before becoming defence minister he was a deputy minister of defence responsible for armaments and equipment.

By a presidential decree of 2 November 2018 he was appointed Deputy Secretary of the Security Council under the President; Colonel Oybek Ismoilov took over his former post of deputy defence minister. Kholmukhamedov also served as a Deputy Minister of Emergency Situations.

On 23 March 2021 he became First Deputy Minister of Defence and Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, receiving the rank of major general the same day. He replaced Pavel Ergashev and held the post until November 2024.

On 23 November 2024 President Shavkat Mirziyoyev appointed Kholmukhamedov Minister of Defence, succeeding Bakhodir Kurbanov, who moved to head the State Security Service. On 27 August 2025 a presidential decree promoted him to lieutenant general. As of September 2026 he remains defence minister; the ministry's website styles him as a lieutenant general.

In 2016 he received the medal «For Faithful Service» (Sodiq xizmatlari uchun).