Kazakhstani military wants more missiles, drones and air defense systems

The country’s armed forces are also going to upgrade their armored vehicles and communication systems / Collage by Kursiv.media, photo editor: Aruzhan Makhsotova

The Ministry of Defense has outlined how it would allocate additional funds if defense spending is increased to 1% of GDP. The agency also commented on MP Ermurat Bapi’s suggestion to improve the combat readiness of the Kazakhstani army, calling it ‘timely and relevant.’

«These priorities include air defense forces, missile troops and artillery, air weapons and unmanned aircraft systems, which unfortunately have not received enough attention despite their proven effectiveness and significance in recent military conflicts. We will also focus on communication systems, as well as the full repair and modernization of armored vehicles,» the agency stated.

The ministry has also emphasized that the “planned increase in funding” for army re-equipment is a precautionary measure to protect national security from “external threats”. Moreover, the military believes that this additional funding will stimulate the development of the domestic defense industry.

Will the re-equipment meet NATO standards?

In response to another proposal by Bapi, suggesting that Kazakhstan’s army adopt NATO standards for organization and arming, the ministry said that this move would require significant costs.

«We believe that the most efficient way to strengthen our defense is to expand the production capabilities of our defense companies while considering the current realities, including aligning Kazakhstan’s military standards with those of NATO. Some of our military units have already switched to NATO standards. Moreover, the Karaganda Cartridge Plant, Paramount Engineering, Granit Thales and Aselsan Engineering have begun producing weapons, armored vehicles and munitions that meet NATO standards,» the ministry emphasized.

However, the ministry added that it didn’t estimate the possible cost of exchanging all the Soviet weaponry and armored vehicles for modern equipment, as this issue isn’t even on the agenda.

Last month, Kursiv.media reported that Kazakhstan’s defense spending would grow to roughly $1.4 million or 0.68% of the GDP by 2025. However, MP Bapi argued that this would not be enough to prepare the country for a «foreseeable war» that could break out by 2030.

Later, Deputy Finance Minister Yerzhan Birzhanov said that the defense budget could potentially increase to 1% of the GDP, but only under certain conditions.