Kazakhstan reports poor technological protection of its borders

According to Yerlan Aldazhumanov, deputy head of the National Security Committee (KNB) and head of the Border Service of Kazakhstan, 84% of the country’s borders are protected by border servicemen and only 16% of the border are protected with technological means.

«We have deployed special equipment on only 16% of our state border with China, which is obviously not enough. The remaining border is protected by border guards, who physically patrol border areas,» Aldazhumanov said.

The official also noted that the government provides the service with necessary financial resources but does so gradually. He refused to say the exact amount of money needed for the Border Service, although he said that one border station, which oversees a 20-kilometer-long part of the state border, needs $6.3 million to function properly. In total, Kazakhstan has a border of 15,132 kilometers long, so more than $95.9 billion is needed to guarantee that the country’s borders are well protected.

«Of course, we understand what is going on in the country. We see that there are so many problems and we are okay with the money we have been provided with,» the head of the Border Service said.

Kazakhstan is trying to find resources that can be used to improve border control. For instance, the country wants to strengthen its border with Kyrgyzstan, as local authorities report an increase in the illegal trafficking of goods via the border.

All these problems associated with border control have been brought to light after Serik Kudebayev, former head of police in the Almaty region escaped the country. According to KNB, Kudebayev likely left through Kyrgyzstan and then departed this country toward Turkey. Kazakhstani authorities deployed more than 300 police officers during the ground search for him right after he escaped.