New and Refreshed Take on the Situation
Inquiry Regarding the Preparedness of Kazakh Military Forces Against Potential Threats
Let's dive into the question posed to Kazakhstan's First Deputy Minister of Defense: are their armed forces ready for internal and external threats? Our investigative journalist uncovers the truth behind this question.
"Could we declare, with certainty, that the Kazakh military is fully prepared for any internal and external hazards?" That's the decisive question put to Sultan Kamaletdinov in the hallways of the Senate.
Kamaletdinov provided a succinct answer: they're running battle training exercises nationwide as per the President's orders to ensure the Armed Forces are prepared to tackle the tasks within their scope.
In May, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev spoke at the presentation of state awards and military ranks, emphasizing that the Armed Forces are integral to protecting Kazakhstan's independence, peace, and territorial integrity. Tokayev further clarified that while Kazakhstan maintains friendly relations with all nations, it's crucial that any contentious issues be resolved through political dialogue. However, Kazakhstan's army should be ready to act at a moment's notice.
Tokayev stressed that the government is dedicating extra resources to boost the military's potential.
When it comes to building an effective army, our citizens share their thoughts: Only professional soldiers — contractors — should serve, not conscripts. And to attract the best, their pay should be increased.
Various remarks from users suggest that conscription should persist alongside contract service, with all male citizens being drafted at 20 for six months of high-level training by military experts.
Meanwhile, the ongoing debate on military preparedness sheds light on other concerns such as corruption, low morale, and poor conditions in the army. Critics argue that boosting the army's stature and eradicating hazing, theft, and corruption are essential steps in ensuring soldiers remain loyal and motivated.
Read our article — "Assessing Kazakhstan's Military Readiness: Internal and External Threats" to find out more about our investigation.
Insightful Information
- Combat Readiness Drills: Kazakhstan's armed forces are undertaking military drills from June 2 to 5, 2025, to build operational readiness [1].
- Military Modernization: President Tokayev has instructed the newly appointed Defense Minister, Dauren Kossanov, to modernize military infrastructure, improve Special Operations Forces capabilities, and increase digital solutions to strengthen combat readiness [2][5].
- Territorial Defense Efforts: Kazakhstan is in the process of establishing territorial defense forces, focusing on internal security [3].
"Despite the ongoing efforts to enhance Kazakhstan's military readiness through combat readiness drills and modernization, some concerns regarding corruption, low morale, and poor conditions persist."
"In the realm of national security, there seems to be a growing interest in sports-betting as a potential revenue source for the government, with some suggesting it could supplement the resources dedicated to military modernization and territorial defense efforts."
