Head of State chairs Security Council meeting on military reform

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev chaired meeting of the Security Council of the Republic of Kazakhstan on the the draft Military Reform Plan.

The Head of State instructed the relevant authorities to develop and submit proposals to the Security Council on reforming the defence sector, taking into account the large-scale transformations underway in the country. The President emphasised the particular importance of building a modern, mobile and technologically advanced army in the shortest possible time.

“The task is to transform the capabilities and effectiveness of the Armed Forces. This involves command and control, military personnel training, personnel policy, military education, defence planning and technological equipment. Particular attention must be paid to service safety, command culture and the efficient use of public resources. The relationship between the army and society must also be transformed. This is a comprehensive reform. Half-measures will not deliver the required results,” Kassym-Jomart Tokayev stated.

Two-stage compulsory military service and unmanned forces

At the meeting, Deputy Chairperson of the Security Council Aida Balayeva presented the key provisions of the Plan, which was developed taking into account international experience in military development, modern warfare methods and proposals from domestic experts.

The document provides for institutional reforms aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of the state’s entire military organisation. Plans include reviewing the structure and composition of the Armed Forces, improving command and control and defence planning systems, establishing Unmanned Forces, and strengthening the army’s key components.

A key aspect of the military reform is the transition to a two-stage model of compulsory military service. During the first six months, conscripts will undergo training at training centres. For the following six months, they will serve directly in military units, with an emphasis on combat training and the performance of missions as part of their units.

Particular attention must be paid to ensuring the safety of military personnel and protecting their rights. Plans include establishing military adviser institutions and an Ombudsperson for Military Personnel, as well as introducing measures to prevent hazing and other forms of non-statutory relations and to strengthen military discipline.

The Plan also provides for the development of a unified system of military-patriotic training, “Zhas Aibyn”, based on the “Adal Azamat” concept, the expansion of the network of specialised military schools, and improvements to initial military training.

Modernisation of the Armed Forces

Minister of Defence Aidos Myrzakhmetov briefed the meeting on the planned modernisation of the Armed Forces.

An important component of the military reform will be the adoption of a new information and communications strategy for the Armed Forces and improvements in the quality of military-patriotic and educational work, guided by the constitutional principle of “Law and Order”. These measures are intended to strengthen military discipline and public trust in the Armed Forces.

The organisational measures envisaged in the Plan will be implemented by the end of the current year, while the principal conceptual measures are scheduled for implementation in 2027.

During the meeting, the President instructed that the work of the Commission conducting a comprehensive review of the situation at the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Kazakhstan be completed by the end of the year.

The President emphasised that military security is a matter of national importance requiring coordinated efforts by all relevant government bodies.

Following the meeting, the Military Reform Plan was approved. The Head of State stated that the timely and full implementation of the planned reforms would be of decisive importance.

Coordination of the implementation of the Plan has been assigned to the Government and the Security Council.