ASTANA (TCA) — Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev says a new military branch has been established to protect the Central Asian country against cyberthreats, RFE/RL’s Kazakh Service reported.
Nazarbayev spoke on May 7 at a military parade devoted to Kazakhstan’s national army day.
“New highly mobile forces for special operations have been established in order to react effectively to new threats and challenges,” he said in remarks at the Otar military base in the southern region of Zhambyl.
“These new special units carry out measures against cyberthreats. They have been formed and integrated into the country’s defense system,” Nazarbayev said.
Some 3,000 troops, 40 aircraft, and 300 military vehicles took part in the parade.
Kazakhstan’s national army day, formally known as Defender of the Fatherland Day, is marked in the former Soviet republic on May 7.
Addressing veterans, soldiers and officers, Nazarbayev stressed that the armed forces are the main guarantor of security and an unshakable stronghold of the country’s sovereignty, the official website of the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan reported.
“Kazakhstani servicemen are worthy successors of the traditions of military prowess and glory of our fathers and grandfathers who defeated fascism in the most brutal war of all epochs and times. We will always remember their selfless heroism and immortal feat in the name of life and prosperity in their native land,” said the President of Kazakhstan.
Nazarbayev stated that the Kazakh army successfully promotes collective security within the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) and fulfills important peacekeeping functions under the aegis of the UN.
The President of Kazakhstan pointed out that Kazakhstan has a goal – to create a modern, mobile and highly professional army by 2030.
“To this end, from 2020, the necessary funds will be allocated for the needs of defense. In order to respond effectively to new threats and security challenges, highly mobile Special Operations Forces and Territorial Forces have been created and integrated into the defense system,” the head of state concluded.
