 In 1942, the USSR again moved to strengthen the Afghan Armed Forces by providing small arms and aircraft, and establishing training centers in Tashkent (Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic).Soviet-Afghan military cooperation began on a regular basis in 1956, and further agreements were made in the 1970s, which saw the USSR send advisers and specialists.In 1978, after witnessing India's nuclear test, "Smiling Buddha", President Daud Khan initiated a military buildup to counter Pakistan's armed forces and Iranian military influence in Afghan politics.