Military of Kazakhstan
Encyclopedia
The Armed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Kazakh
: Қазақстанның Қарулы күштері Qazaqstannyñ Qarūly küshteri), is the name of the unified armed forces
of Kazakhstan. The Kazakhstani military
is a defence
force
consisting of the Ground Forces, Air and Air Defence Forces, Naval Forces, Republican Guard
.
The national defence policy aims which are based on the Constitution of Kazakhstan are to guarantee the preservation of the independence
and sovereignty
of the state and the integrity
of its land area, territorial waters and airspace and its constitutional order. The armed forces of Kazakhstan are performed under the authority of the Kazakhstan Ministry of Defense. The national defence policy aims which are based on the Constitution of Kazakhstan are to guarantee the preservation of the independence
and sovereignty
of the state and the integrity
of its land area, territorial waters and airspace and its constitutional order. The armed forces of Kazakhstan are performed under the authority of the Kazakhstani Ministry of Defense.
took a number of actions regarding defence. He signed a decree on the 'establishment of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan', the transformation of the State Committee of Defence of the Republic of Kazakhstan into the Ministry of Defence, on the attribution of Sagadat Nurmagambetov the military rank of Colonel General
, and the appointment of General-Colonel Sagadat Nurmagambetov
as Defence Minister of Kazakhstan
.
Mukhtar Altynbayev
served as the Minister of Defence twice, most recently from December 2001 to 10 January 2007.
On July 6, 2000, a Presidential Decree "On the structure of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan" changed the structure: The Armed Forces returned to a dual structure (general-purpose forces and air defense forces). The Air Mobile Troops were created, the transition to the new military-territorial structure, established military districts, harmonized structure and deployment of troops. On August 7, Lieutenant-General A. B. Dzharbulov was appointed commander of the Southern Military District and Lieutenant-General E. Ertaev became commander of the Eastern Military District.
In February 2001 a Presidential Decree divided the functions of the Ministry of Defence and General Staff. According to the decree, the head of the General Staff subordinates all kinds of aircraft and type of troops and military districts, while the Minister of Defence has a mostly administrative and political functions. On March 30, Major General M. K. Sihimov was appointed commander of the Western Military Region. On October 12, M. Saparov was appointed to Chief of the General Staff and First Deputy of the Defence Minister. V. B. Elamanov became commander of the Air Mobile Troops. On December 8, a new Defense Minister was appointed: General K. Altynbayev, and on December 27, Major General K. K. Akhmadiev was appointed commander of the Air Defense Forces.
Today there are four regional commands: Regional Command Astana, Regional Command South at Taraz
, Regional Command East at Semipalatinsk, Regional Command West at Aktobe
, as well as the Air Defence Forces, the Air Mobile Troops with four brigades, and the Artillery and Missile Forces (formed as a separate branch on 7 May 2003).
Kazakhstan has an Individual Partnership Action Plan with NATO & strategic cooperation with the Turkish Armed Forces
.
Immediately prior to its dissolution, the 32nd Army consisted of the 78th Tank Division (Ayaguz); the 5202nd Base for Storage of Weapons and Equipment (BKhVT) Semipalatinsk; the 5203rd BKhVT Ust-Kamenogorsk; and the 5204th BKhVT at Karaganda.
In the middle of the 1990s Kazakhstan's land forces included the 1st Army Corps (HQ Semipalatinsk), with the 68th Motor Rifle Division (Sary-Ozek
, in Kyzylorda Province) – 2 motor-rifle and one tank regiment and the 78th Tank Division (Ayaguz
). While the 68th Division was called a motor-rifle formation, in equipment terms it had almost 300 tanks and about 500 armoured fighting vehicles. The 78th Tank Division had 350 tanks, 290 armoured fighting vehicles and 150 artillery pieces. The 210th Separate Training Center (a former motor rifle training division) had 6,000 soldier and officers and 220 tanks and 220 artillery pieces, so was a strengthened division. (It was often called the Division of Guards by Kazakh sources).
Some of Kazakhstan's officers have trained at the United States Military Academy
at West Point.
Today the Ground Forces include four regional commands:
Infantry Fighting Vehicles
Towed Artillery
Self-propelled Artillery
Rocket Artillery
Mortars
Additionally, a small Republican Guard exists, with 2,500 soldiers (1994), but this force is not considered a part of the Army. The Republican Guard was established on March 6, 1992, when the President of Kazakhstan signed a decree on their creation. The Republican Guard was established on the basis of a separate brigade of operational designation of the Internal Troops deployed in the village of Kaskelen
district of Almaty region. Two Republican Guard regiments were created, stationed in Astana and Almaty.
As of November 2008 the Kazakh Air Force fielded the following equipment:
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Aircraft
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Type
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Versions
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|In service
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Notes
|-
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | Fighter Aircraft
|-----
| Mikoyan MiG-25 || fighter || MiG-25 || 16 ||
|-----
| Mikoyan MiG-29
|| fighter || MiG-29/-29UB || 15 ||
|-----
| Mikoyan MiG-31 Foxhound
|| interceptor || MiG-31/-31B || 42 ||Ten aircraft to be refurbished by RSK MIG, Sept 2007.
|-----
| Sukhoi Su-27 Flanker
|| fighter || Su-27/-27UB || 47 ||
|-
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | Ground-Attack Aircraft
|-----
| Sukhoi Su-24 Fencer
|| bomber ||Su-24 || 40 ||
|-----
| Sukhoi Su-25 Frogfoot
|| attack || Su-25/-25UB || 14 ||
|-----
| Mikoyan MiG-27
Flogger || attack || MiG-27M/-27D || unk || An estimated 40 MiG-23UB/MiG-27 are still operational
|-----
| Mikoyan MiG-23 Flogger || combat-trainer || MiG-23UB || unk ||
|-
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | Transport
and Liaison Aircraft
|-----
| Antonov An-12 Cub
|| tactical transport || An-12 || 3 ||
|-----
| Antonov An-26 Curl
|| tactical transport || An-26 || 5 ||
|-
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | Attack Helicopters
|-----
| Mil Mi-24 Hind
|| attack helicopter (Russian modernisation) || Mi-24P/-24V || 36 ||
|-
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | Transport and Utility Helicopters
|-----
| Mil Mi-8 Hip
|| transport helicopter || Mi-17/-17V-5 || 14 ||
|-----
| Mil Mi-26 Halo
|| transport helicopter || Mi-26T/-26TZ || 22 ||
|-
Surface-to-Air Missile
s include:
forces operating on the Caspian Sea
with a strength of 3,000, equipped with 12 inshore patrol craft; including 4 Almaty, 1 Dauntless, 5 Guardian, and 2 Zhuk class vessels.
Nezavisimoye Voyennoye Obozreniye
said in 2010 that the Kazakh navy consists of 9 patrol boats, including one Turkish-built boat, 4 1950s vintage German boats, 2 new Saigak boats built in Russia (13 tons(?)), 1 Dauntless class boat built in the US, and 1 Berkut-class boat built in Kazakhstan.
Kazakh language
Kazakh is a Turkic language which belongs to the Kipchak branch of the Turkic languages, closely related to Nogai and Karakalpak....
: Қазақстанның Қарулы күштері Qazaqstannyñ Qarūly küshteri), is the name of the unified armed forces
Armed forces
The armed forces of a country are its government-sponsored defense, fighting forces, and organizations. They exist to further the foreign and domestic policies of their governing body, and to defend that body and the nation it represents from external aggressors. In some countries paramilitary...
of Kazakhstan. The Kazakhstani military
Military
A military is an organization authorized by its greater society to use lethal force, usually including use of weapons, in defending its country by combating actual or perceived threats. The military may have additional functions of use to its greater society, such as advancing a political agenda e.g...
is a defence
Defence
Defense or defence may refer to:-Tactics and strategy of defending against attack:* Defense * Defense ** Defender ** Defenceman * Biological defense...
force
Force
In physics, a force is any influence that causes an object to undergo a change in speed, a change in direction, or a change in shape. In other words, a force is that which can cause an object with mass to change its velocity , i.e., to accelerate, or which can cause a flexible object to deform...
consisting of the Ground Forces, Air and Air Defence Forces, Naval Forces, Republican Guard
Republican Guard (Kazakhstan)
The Republican Guard of the Republic of Kazakhstan is one of the branches of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan, along with Land Forces, Naval Forces, Air Defense Forces and the Border Guards...
.
The national defence policy aims which are based on the Constitution of Kazakhstan are to guarantee the preservation of the independence
Independence
Independence is a condition of a nation, country, or state in which its residents and population, or some portion thereof, exercise self-government, and usually sovereignty, over its territory....
and sovereignty
Sovereignty
Sovereignty is the quality of having supreme, independent authority over a geographic area, such as a territory. It can be found in a power to rule and make law that rests on a political fact for which no purely legal explanation can be provided...
of the state and the integrity
Integrity
Integrity is a concept of consistency of actions, values, methods, measures, principles, expectations, and outcomes. In ethics, integrity is regarded as the honesty and truthfulness or accuracy of one's actions...
of its land area, territorial waters and airspace and its constitutional order. The armed forces of Kazakhstan are performed under the authority of the Kazakhstan Ministry of Defense. The national defence policy aims which are based on the Constitution of Kazakhstan are to guarantee the preservation of the independence
Independence
Independence is a condition of a nation, country, or state in which its residents and population, or some portion thereof, exercise self-government, and usually sovereignty, over its territory....
and sovereignty
Sovereignty
Sovereignty is the quality of having supreme, independent authority over a geographic area, such as a territory. It can be found in a power to rule and make law that rests on a political fact for which no purely legal explanation can be provided...
of the state and the integrity
Integrity
Integrity is a concept of consistency of actions, values, methods, measures, principles, expectations, and outcomes. In ethics, integrity is regarded as the honesty and truthfulness or accuracy of one's actions...
of its land area, territorial waters and airspace and its constitutional order. The armed forces of Kazakhstan are performed under the authority of the Kazakhstani Ministry of Defense.
History
On May 7, 1992, the President of KazakhstanKazakhstan
Kazakhstan , officially the Republic of Kazakhstan, is a transcontinental country in Central Asia and Eastern Europe. Ranked as the ninth largest country in the world, it is also the world's largest landlocked country; its territory of is greater than Western Europe...
took a number of actions regarding defence. He signed a decree on the 'establishment of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan', the transformation of the State Committee of Defence of the Republic of Kazakhstan into the Ministry of Defence, on the attribution of Sagadat Nurmagambetov the military rank of Colonel General
Colonel General
Colonel General is a senior rank of General. North Korea and Russia are two countries which have used the rank extensively throughout their histories...
, and the appointment of General-Colonel Sagadat Nurmagambetov
Sagadat Nurmagambetov
Sagadat Nurmagambetov is a retired Soviet and Kazakhstani general who served as Chairman of Kazakhstan's State Defense Committee in 1991-1992 and Kazakhstan's first Minister of Defense following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, holding the office of Defense Minister from May 1992 to...
as Defence Minister of Kazakhstan
Defence Minister of Kazakhstan
The Republic of Kazakhstan has had seven defence ministers.*General-Colonel Sagadat Nurmagambetov was the first defence minister.*2nd Minister*Mukhtar Altynbayev served as the Minister of Defence 30 октября 1996 — 9 августа 1999,...
.
Mukhtar Altynbayev
Mukhtar Altynbayev
Mukhtar Qapashuly Altynbayev served as the Minister of Defense and General of the Army of Kazakhstan twice, most recently from December 2001 to 10 January 2007. Prime Minister Karim Massimov replaced him with former Prime Minister Daniyal Akhmetov in a political shakeup...
served as the Minister of Defence twice, most recently from December 2001 to 10 January 2007.
On July 6, 2000, a Presidential Decree "On the structure of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan" changed the structure: The Armed Forces returned to a dual structure (general-purpose forces and air defense forces). The Air Mobile Troops were created, the transition to the new military-territorial structure, established military districts, harmonized structure and deployment of troops. On August 7, Lieutenant-General A. B. Dzharbulov was appointed commander of the Southern Military District and Lieutenant-General E. Ertaev became commander of the Eastern Military District.
In February 2001 a Presidential Decree divided the functions of the Ministry of Defence and General Staff. According to the decree, the head of the General Staff subordinates all kinds of aircraft and type of troops and military districts, while the Minister of Defence has a mostly administrative and political functions. On March 30, Major General M. K. Sihimov was appointed commander of the Western Military Region. On October 12, M. Saparov was appointed to Chief of the General Staff and First Deputy of the Defence Minister. V. B. Elamanov became commander of the Air Mobile Troops. On December 8, a new Defense Minister was appointed: General K. Altynbayev, and on December 27, Major General K. K. Akhmadiev was appointed commander of the Air Defense Forces.
Today there are four regional commands: Regional Command Astana, Regional Command South at Taraz
Taraz
Taraz , is a city and a center of the Jambyl Province in Kazakhstan. It is located in the south of Kazakhstan, near the border with Kyrgyzstan, on the Talas River...
, Regional Command East at Semipalatinsk, Regional Command West at Aktobe
Aktobe
Aktobe , formerly known as Aktyubinsk , is a city on the Ilek River in Kazakhstan. With a population of 277,700, it is the capital of Aktobe Province. Aktobe has a mixed ethnic community, including Kazakhs, Russians, Ukrainians, Tatars, Uyghurs, Chechens, Armenians, Jews and Greeks...
, as well as the Air Defence Forces, the Air Mobile Troops with four brigades, and the Artillery and Missile Forces (formed as a separate branch on 7 May 2003).
Kazakhstan has an Individual Partnership Action Plan with NATO & strategic cooperation with the Turkish Armed Forces
Turkish Armed Forces
The Turkish Armed Forces are the military forces of the Republic of Turkey. They consist of the Army, the Navy , and the Air Force...
.
Ground forces
On November 1, 1992, the First Army Corps was created in Kazakhstan, with its headquarters in Semipalatinsk. Later, at its base was established the Eastern Military District, retitled on 13 November 2003 as Regional Command East.Immediately prior to its dissolution, the 32nd Army consisted of the 78th Tank Division (Ayaguz); the 5202nd Base for Storage of Weapons and Equipment (BKhVT) Semipalatinsk; the 5203rd BKhVT Ust-Kamenogorsk; and the 5204th BKhVT at Karaganda.
In the middle of the 1990s Kazakhstan's land forces included the 1st Army Corps (HQ Semipalatinsk), with the 68th Motor Rifle Division (Sary-Ozek
Sary-Ozek
Sary-Ozek may refer to one of the following, related to places in Kazakhstan.*Sary-Ozek station, a railway station*Sary-Ozek, Kazakhstan, a settlement*Sary-Ozek military range, witnessed demolition of Soviet ICBMs *Sary-Ozek...
, in Kyzylorda Province) – 2 motor-rifle and one tank regiment and the 78th Tank Division (Ayaguz
Ayaguz
Ayagoz or Ayakoz City of regional submission in Kazakhstan, administrative centre Ayagoz districts of the East Kazakhstan area. It's located in eastern Kazakhstan, till both parties of the proceeding river Ayagoz. The population is over 40,000 ....
). While the 68th Division was called a motor-rifle formation, in equipment terms it had almost 300 tanks and about 500 armoured fighting vehicles. The 78th Tank Division had 350 tanks, 290 armoured fighting vehicles and 150 artillery pieces. The 210th Separate Training Center (a former motor rifle training division) had 6,000 soldier and officers and 220 tanks and 220 artillery pieces, so was a strengthened division. (It was often called the Division of Guards by Kazakh sources).
Some of Kazakhstan's officers have trained at the United States Military Academy
United States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
at West Point.
Today the Ground Forces include four regional commands:
- Regional Command "Astana" (Headquarters KaragandaKaragandaKaragandy , more commonly known by its Russian name Karaganda, , is the capital of Karagandy Province in Kazakhstan. It is the fourth most populous city in Kazakhstan, behind Almaty , Astana and Shymkent, with a population of 471,800 . In the 1940s up to 70% of the city's inhabitants were ethnic...
) - the administrative boundaries of Akmola, Karagandy Province, Kostanay ProvinceKostanay ProvinceKostanay Province is a province of Kazakhstan. Its capital is Kostanay City. The population of the province is 900,300. Population living in Kostanay is 207,000 that makes 23 % of the population of province...
and North Kazakhstan. The command acts as the Supreme Commander's reserve. The commander of the district is Major GeneralMajor GeneralMajor general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
Vladimir Shatsky (as of April 2008). The District includes the 7th Separate Motor Rifle Brigade at KaragandaKaragandaKaragandy , more commonly known by its Russian name Karaganda, , is the capital of Karagandy Province in Kazakhstan. It is the fourth most populous city in Kazakhstan, behind Almaty , Astana and Shymkent, with a population of 471,800 . In the 1940s up to 70% of the city's inhabitants were ethnic...
. - Regional Command "East" (Headquarters Semipalatinsk) - in the administrative boundaries of East Kazakhstan and Pavlodar Province (Families, Ust-Kamenogorsk, George, and Ayagoz Usharalsky garrisons). Commander of the district is Lt. Gen. Nikolai Pospelov (as of September 2008). The District has the 3rd Mechanized Division (formerly the 78th Tank Division) at AyaguzAyaguzAyagoz or Ayakoz City of regional submission in Kazakhstan, administrative centre Ayagoz districts of the East Kazakhstan area. It's located in eastern Kazakhstan, till both parties of the proceeding river Ayagoz. The population is over 40,000 ....
, three (?) bases for storage of military equipment, 3rd Separate Motor Rifle Brigade at UsharalUsharalUsharal is a town in Alakol District in the Almaty Province of south-eastern Kazakhstan. It is the capital of the district....
(Military Unit No.40398, formed on the basis of a motor rifle regiment of the 155th Motor Rifle Division), 4th Separate Motor Rifle Brigade at Novo-Akhmirovo, Ust-Kamenogorsk (Military Unit No.27943), a cannon artillery brigade, and an air defence missile brigade. - Regional Command "West", (Headquarters AtyrauAtyrauAtyrau , known as Guryev until 1991, is a city in Kazakhstan, and the capital of Atyrau Province. It is located at the mouth of the Ural River, 2700 kilometers west of Almaty and 350 kilometers east of the Russian city of Astrakhan. Other transliterations include Aterau, Atirau, Atyraw, Atyraou,...
) - in the administrative boundaries of the West Kazakhstan ProvinceWest Kazakhstan ProvinceWest Kazakhstan Province is a province of Kazakhstan. Its capital is Oral , a city of about 200,000 inhabitants.-Geography:...
, Aktobe Province, Atyrau ProvinceAtyrau ProvinceAtyrau Oblast is a province of Kazakhstan. It is situated in the west of the country around the northeast of the Caspian Sea. Its capital is the city of Atyrau, with a population of 142,500 people; the province itself has 480,000 people...
and Mangystau Province. The main task is ensuring the integrity of state borders, territorial integrity, sovereignty and economic interests of Kazakhstan in the Kazakh sector of the Caspian Sea. In 2008, the commander of the district appointed general Alimzhan Kanagatovich Erniyazov. The District has separate motor rifle and artillery brigades. - Regional Command "South", (Headquarters TarazTarazTaraz , is a city and a center of the Jambyl Province in Kazakhstan. It is located in the south of Kazakhstan, near the border with Kyrgyzstan, on the Talas River...
) - in the administrative boundaries of Almaty ProvinceAlmaty ProvinceAlmaty is a province of Kazakhstan. Its capital is Taldykorgan, which has a population of 118,400. The province itself has 1,603,700 people.-Geography:...
, Zhambyl ProvinceZhambyl ProvinceJambyl Province is a province of Kazakhstan. Its capital is Taraz. The population of the province is 1,000,000; the city is 335,100. The province borders Kyrgyzstan, and is very near Uzbekistan. Jambyl also borders three other provinces: Karagandy Province, South Kazakhstan Province and Almaty...
, South Kazakhstan ProvinceSouth Kazakhstan ProvinceSouth Kazakhstan Province is the southernmost province of Kazakhstan, with a population of 2,282,500 people. Its capital is Shymkent, with 539,600 people. Other cities in South Kazakhstan include Turkestan, Sayram, Kentau, Arys, Shardara, Jetysu, Saryag'ash and Lenger...
and Kyzylorda Province. The district's main task is ensuring security in the south-eastern borders of the country. In 2008, General Alikhan Brimzhanovich Dzharbulov was appointed commander of the district. The District includes the 4th Motor Rifle Division at Sary-OzekSary-OzekSary-Ozek may refer to one of the following, related to places in Kazakhstan.*Sary-Ozek station, a railway station*Sary-Ozek, Kazakhstan, a settlement*Sary-Ozek military range, witnessed demolition of Soviet ICBMs *Sary-Ozek...
in Almaty ProvinceAlmaty ProvinceAlmaty is a province of Kazakhstan. Its capital is Taldykorgan, which has a population of 118,400. The province itself has 1,603,700 people.-Geography:...
, the 5th Separate Motor Rifle Brigade (TarazTarazTaraz , is a city and a center of the Jambyl Province in Kazakhstan. It is located in the south of Kazakhstan, near the border with Kyrgyzstan, on the Talas River...
, Military Unit No.85395, 1,500 personnel), the 6th Separate Motor Rifle Brigade (ShymkentShymkentShymkent , formerly known as Chimkent , is the capital city of South Kazakhstan Province, the most populated region in Kazakhstan. It is the third most populous city in Kazakhstan behind Almaty and Astana with a population of 629,600 . A major railroad junction on the Turkestan-Siberia Railway, the...
, Military Unit No.35748, with five motor rifle and tank battalions, two artillery battalions), a mountain battalion, and the 210th Training Center. The 206th Reserve Division was previously stationed in this command area.
The Air Mobile Force
- the 35th Air Assault Brigade at Kapshagai,
- the 36th Air Assault Brigade at AstanaAstanaAstana , formerly known as Akmola , Tselinograd and Akmolinsk , is the capital and second largest city of Kazakhstan, with an officially estimated population of 708,794 as of 1 August 2010...
, - the 37th Air Assault Brigade at TaldykorganTaldykorganTaldykorgan , formerly known as Taldy-Kurgan , is the administrative center of Almaty Province, Kazakhstan. It has a population of 118,400 . Most of the people are Kazakhs.-Education:...
- Peacekeeping Brigades KAZBRIG & KAZBAT at AlmatyAlmatyAlmaty , also known by its former names Verny and Alma-Ata , is the former capital of Kazakhstan and the nation's largest city, with a population of 1,348,500...
Ground Forces equipment
Ground forces equipment includes:- T-72T-72The T-72 is a Soviet-designed main battle tank that entered production in 1970. It is developed directly from Obyekt-172, and shares parallel features with the T-64A...
B tanks - 650-1000 - T-62T-62The T-62 is a Soviet main battle tank, a further development of the T-55. Its 115 mm gun was the first smoothbore tank gun in use.The T-62 was produced between 1961 and 1975. It became a standard tank in the Soviet arsenal, partly replacing the T-55, although that tank continued to be...
tanks - 280
Infantry Fighting Vehicles
- BMP-1BMP-1The BMP-1 is a Soviet amphibious tracked infantry fighting vehicle. BMP stands for Boyevaya Mashina Pekhoty 1 , meaning "infantry fighting vehicle". The BMP-1 was the world's first mass-produced infantry fighting vehicle...
/BMP-2BMP-2The BMP-2 is a second-generation, amphibious infantry fighting vehicle introduced in the 1980s in the Soviet Union, following the BMP-1 of the 1960s....
- 508 - MT-LBMT-LBThe MT-LB is a Soviet multi-purpose fully amphibious auxiliary armoured vehicle which was first introduced in the late 1960s...
- 686 (plus some 1,000 in store) - BTR-70BTR-70The BTR-70 is an eight-wheeled armored personnel carrier , originally developed during the late 1960s under the industrial designator GAZ-4905. On August 21, 1972, it was accepted into service and would later be exported to the Warsaw Pact and other allies...
/BTR-80BTR-80BTR-80 is an 8x8 wheeled armoured personnel carrier designed in the Soviet Union. Production started in 1986 and replaced the previous versions, BTR-60 and BTR-70 in the Soviet army. -Description:The Soviets based the BTR-80 on the BTR-70 APC...
- 84 - BRDMBRDMBRDM is an initialism for Boyevaya Razvedyvatelnaya Dozornaya Mashina, , literally "Combat Reconnaissance Patrol Vehicle". The BRDM is a four wheeled amphibious vehicle which is very lightly armoured by today's standards. Both versions were produced in the Soviet Union and other Eastern Bloc...
- 140 - BRM - 65
- 122 mm howitzer 2A18 (D-30) - 161
- 152 mm towed gun-howitzer M1955 (D-20)152 mm towed gun-howitzer M1955 (D-20)The 152 mm gun-howitzer M1955, also known as the D-20, is a manually loaded, towed 152 mm artillery piece, manufactured in the Soviet Union during the 1950s. It was first observed by the west in 1955, where it was designated the M1955. Its GRAU index is 52-P-546...
- 74 - 152 mm howitzer 2A65152 mm howitzer 2A65The 2A65 "Msta-B" is a Soviet towed 152 mm howitzer. The "B" in the designation is an abbreviation for Buksiruemyi, or towed. This weapon has been fielded in Russian forces since at least 1987 and is currently in service with Russian front and army level artillery units...
- 90 - 152 mm gun 2A36152 mm gun 2A36The 2A36 Giatsint-B is a Soviet/Russian towed 152 mm gun which entered service in 1976. The 2A36 is designed to suppress and destroy enemy manpower and equipment. It is also suitable for counter-battery fire. The gun can be used in various weather conditions and has been tested in temperatures...
- 180
Self-propelled Artillery
- 152 mm 2S3 Akatsiya2S3 AkatsiyaSO-152 is a Soviet 152.4 mm self-propelled artillery developed in 1968. It was a response to the American 155 mm M109. The development started in 1967 according to the Resolution of the Council of Ministers of USSR from July 4, 1967. In 1968 the SO-152 was completed and in 1971 entered...
- 89 - 122 mm 2S1 Gvozdika - 74
- 120 mm 2S9 Nona - 26
Rocket Artillery
- 122 mm BM-21 Grad - 57
- 220 mm BM-27 Uragan - 90
Mortars
- 120mm 2B11/M-120 - 145
Security agencies and commando units
There are a number of special forces units reporting to various Kazakh security agencies which are not part of the Armed Forces. The National Security Committee of the Republic of Kazakhstan has the Arystan commando unit, KNS' Border Guards has a unit, the Police have units, and the Presidency is reported to have its own units also.Additionally, a small Republican Guard exists, with 2,500 soldiers (1994), but this force is not considered a part of the Army. The Republican Guard was established on March 6, 1992, when the President of Kazakhstan signed a decree on their creation. The Republican Guard was established on the basis of a separate brigade of operational designation of the Internal Troops deployed in the village of Kaskelen
Kaskelen
Kaskelen is a town and seat of Karasay District in the Almaty Province of south-eastern Kazakhstan....
district of Almaty region. Two Republican Guard regiments were created, stationed in Astana and Almaty.
Kazakh Air and Air Defence Forces
Today the Kazakh Air and Air Defence Force has four fast jet bases:- 600th Guards Air Base, ZhetigenZhetigenZhetigen or Zhetygen is a small town in Almaty Province of Kazakhstan. It is located some 50 km north of Almaty, on the Turksib rail line.- Accident :...
, Nikolayevka, Almaty, with MiG-29s and Su-24s, - 602nd Air Base, Chimkent, with Su-17s and Su-25s,
- 604th Air Base, Taldy-Kurgan, with MiG-27s and Su-27s,
- 610th Air Base, Sary-Arka AirportSary-Arka AirportSary-Arka Airport is the airport in Karaganda, Kazakhstan. It is located 20 kilometers south of the city.- History :...
, KaragandaKaragandaKaragandy , more commonly known by its Russian name Karaganda, , is the capital of Karagandy Province in Kazakhstan. It is the fourth most populous city in Kazakhstan, behind Almaty , Astana and Shymkent, with a population of 471,800 . In the 1940s up to 70% of the city's inhabitants were ethnic...
, with MiG-31s.
As of November 2008 the Kazakh Air Force fielded the following equipment:
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Aircraft
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Type
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Versions
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|In service
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Notes
|-
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | Fighter Aircraft
Fighter aircraft
A fighter aircraft is a military aircraft designed primarily for air-to-air combat with other aircraft, as opposed to a bomber, which is designed primarily to attack ground targets...
|-----
| Mikoyan MiG-25 || fighter || MiG-25 || 16 ||
|-----
| Mikoyan MiG-29
Mikoyan MiG-29
The Mikoyan MiG-29 is a fourth-generation jet fighter aircraft designed in the Soviet Union for an air superiority role. Developed in the 1970s by the Mikoyan design bureau, it entered service with the Soviet Air Force in 1983, and remains in use by the Russian Air Force as well as in many other...
|| fighter || MiG-29/-29UB || 15 ||
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| Mikoyan MiG-31 Foxhound
Mikoyan MiG-31
The Mikoyan MiG-31 is a supersonic interceptor aircraft developed to replace the MiG-25 "Foxbat". The MiG-31 was designed by the Mikoyan design bureau based on the MiG-25.-Development:...
|| interceptor || MiG-31/-31B || 42 ||Ten aircraft to be refurbished by RSK MIG, Sept 2007.
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| Sukhoi Su-27 Flanker
Sukhoi Su-27
The Sukhoi Su-27 is a twin-engine supermanoeuverable fighter aircraft designed by Sukhoi. It was intended as a direct competitor for the large United States fourth generation fighters, with range, heavy armament, sophisticated avionics and high manoeuvrability...
|| fighter || Su-27/-27UB || 47 ||
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! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | Ground-Attack Aircraft
Ground attack aircraft
Ground-attack aircraft are military aircraft with primary role of attacking targets on the ground with greater precision than bombers and prepared to face stronger low-level air defense...
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| Sukhoi Su-24 Fencer
Sukhoi Su-24
The Sukhoi Su-24 is a supersonic, all-weather attack aircraft developed in the Soviet Union. This variable-sweep wing, twin-engined two-seater carried the USSR's first integrated digital navigation/attack system...
|| bomber ||Su-24 || 40 ||
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| Sukhoi Su-25 Frogfoot
Sukhoi Su-25
The Sukhoi Su-25 is a single-seat, twin-engine jet aircraft developed in the Soviet Union by the Sukhoi Design Bureau. It was designed to provide close air support for the Soviet Ground Forces. The first prototype made its maiden flight on 22 February 1975...
|| attack || Su-25/-25UB || 14 ||
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| Mikoyan MiG-27
Mikoyan MiG-27
The Mikoyan MiG-27 is a variable-geometry ground-attack aircraft, originally built by the Mikoyan design bureau in the Soviet Union and later license-produced in India by Hindustan Aeronautics as the Bahadur . It is based on the Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23 fighter aircraft, but optimized for...
Flogger || attack || MiG-27M/-27D || unk || An estimated 40 MiG-23UB/MiG-27 are still operational
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| Mikoyan MiG-23 Flogger || combat-trainer || MiG-23UB || unk ||
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! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | Transport
Airlift
Airlift is the act of transporting people or cargo from point to point using aircraft.Airlift may also refer to:*Airlift , a suction device for moving sand and silt underwater-See also:...
and Liaison Aircraft
Liaison aircraft
A liaison aircraft is a small, usually unarmed aircraft primarily used by military forces for artillery observation or transporting commanders and messages. The concept developed before World War II and included also battlefield reconnaissance, air ambulance, column control, light cargo delivery...
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| Antonov An-12 Cub
Antonov An-12
The Antonov An-12 is a four-engined turboprop transport aircraft designed in the Soviet Union. It is the military version of the Antonov An-10.-Design and development:...
|| tactical transport || An-12 || 3 ||
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| Antonov An-26 Curl
Antonov An-26
The Antonov An-26 is a twin-engined turboprop military transport aircraft, designed and produced in the USSR from 12 March 1968.-Development:...
|| tactical transport || An-26 || 5 ||
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! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | Attack Helicopters
Attack helicopter
An attack helicopter is a military helicopter with the primary role of an attack aircraft, with the capability of engaging targets on the ground, such as enemy infantry and armored vehicles...
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| Mil Mi-24 Hind
Mil Mi-24
The Mil Mi-24 is a large helicopter gunship and attack helicopter and low-capacity troop transport with room for 8 passengers. It is produced by Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant and operated since 1972 by the Soviet Air Force, its successors, and by over thirty other nations.In NATO circles the export...
|| attack helicopter (Russian modernisation) || Mi-24P/-24V || 36 ||
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! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | Transport and Utility Helicopters
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| Mil Mi-8 Hip
Mil Mi-8
The Mil Mi-8 is a medium twin-turbine transport helicopter that can also act as a gunship. The Mi-8 is the world's most-produced helicopter, and is used by over 50 countries. Russia is the largest operator of the Mi-8/Mi-17 helicopter....
|| transport helicopter || Mi-17/-17V-5 || 14 ||
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| Mil Mi-26 Halo
Mil Mi-26
The Mil Mi-26 is a Soviet/Russian heavy transport helicopter. In service with civilian and military operators, it is the largest and most powerful helicopter ever to have gone into production.-Design and development:...
|| transport helicopter || Mi-26T/-26TZ || 22 ||
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Surface-to-Air Missile
Surface-to-air missile
A surface-to-air missile or ground-to-air missile is a missile designed to be launched from the ground to destroy aircraft or other missiles...
s include:
- Lavochkin SA-2 GuidelineS-75 DvinaThe S-75 Dvina is a Soviet-designed, high-altitude, command guided, surface-to-air missile system...
- Isayev SA-3 GoaS-125The Isayev S-125 Neva/Pechora Soviet surface-to-air missile system was designed to complement the S-25 and S-75. It has a shorter effective range and lower engagement altitude than either of its predecessors and also flies slower, but due to its two-stage design it is more effective against more...
- Almaz SA-5 Gammon
- S-300 missile systems
- S-300PMU-2 Favorit missile systems
Naval Force
Kazakhstan maintains navalNavy
A navy is the branch of a nation's armed forces principally designated for naval and amphibious warfare; namely, lake- or ocean-borne combat operations and related functions...
forces operating on the Caspian Sea
Caspian Sea
The Caspian Sea is the largest enclosed body of water on Earth by area, variously classed as the world's largest lake or a full-fledged sea. The sea has a surface area of and a volume of...
with a strength of 3,000, equipped with 12 inshore patrol craft; including 4 Almaty, 1 Dauntless, 5 Guardian, and 2 Zhuk class vessels.
Nezavisimoye Voyennoye Obozreniye
Nezavisimoye Voyennoye Obozreniye
Nezavisimoye Voyennoye Obozreniye, NVO is a Russian weekly newspaper supplement to Nezavisimaya Gazeta dedicated to military posture, military science, activity of secret services, military technology, weapons, military history of Russia, as well as of other countries.The first issue of NVO was...
said in 2010 that the Kazakh navy consists of 9 patrol boats, including one Turkish-built boat, 4 1950s vintage German boats, 2 new Saigak boats built in Russia (13 tons(?)), 1 Dauntless class boat built in the US, and 1 Berkut-class boat built in Kazakhstan.