Defense - The Times Of Central Asia

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Kazakhstan Again Leads Central Asia in Military Strength

Global Firepower (GFP) has released its Military Strength Ranking for 2025, evaluating the military capabilities of 145 countries based on 60 factors, including resources, financial stability, logistics, and geographic considerations. In Central Asia, Kazakhstan continues to lead the region in military strength, ranking 57th globally, an improvement from its 58th position in 2024. Uzbekistan follows closely in 58th place, climbing seven spots from the previous year. Turkmenistan also made notable progress, rising from 83rd in 2024 to 77th this year. Kyrgyzstan saw a modest improvement, advancing to 100th from 105th, while Tajikistan moved up one spot to 107th this year. The GFP ranking evaluates around 60 criteria, such as troop levels, financial resources, logistics, and the availability of specific military assets. Kazakhstan performed particularly well in heavy weaponry, ranking 17th globally for the number of multiple-launch rocket systems (407 units) and 21st for self-propelled artillery. These strengths have significantly bolstered its defense indicators. Globally, the United States remains the top-ranked military power, supported by the world’s largest defense budget of $800 billion. Russia and China maintain their positions in second and third place, respectively. Bhutan, ranked 145th, is the weakest army on this year’s list.

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Kazakhstan Enhanced Military Capabilities in 2024

In 2024, Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Defense made significant strides in modernizing its Armed Forces, equipping them with advanced weapons and military hardware. The upgrades include air defense systems, armored vehicles, aircraft, and naval equipment, reflecting the country’s growing focus on strengthening its defense capabilities. According to the Ministry of Defense, these enhancements align with Kazakhstan’s military modernization goals outlined in the updated military doctrine approved in 2022. Among the notable additions to Kazakhstan’s military arsenal in 2024: Air Defense Systems: The Armed Forces now operate Buk-M2E and Tor-M2K anti-aircraft missile systems (Russia), Rosa-RB radar stations (Belarus), and Nur radar stations, produced domestically in Kazakhstan. Armored Vehicles: The Ground Forces received 53 Arlan armored wheeled vehicles manufactured by Kazakhstan Paramount Engineering and 45 Cobra II armored vehicles from Turkey’s Otokar. These vehicles improve troop mobility and protection. Military Transport Aircraft: In December, Kazakhstan acquired an A400M military transport aircraft from Spain. The aircraft can transport heavy cargo, including military equipment. Naval Vessel: The high-speed transport and landing boat Shapshan, built in Mangistau region shipyards, was launched in Aktau. Designed for sea and riverine operations, it can transport up to 20 marines, has a range of 450 miles, a speed of 45 knots, and supports medical evacuation missions. The Ministry of Defense also prioritized upgrading its current arsenal, repairing and modernizing 85 pieces of ground and air military equipment in 2024. This includes: 8 helicopters 5 radar stations Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev approved a revised military doctrine in October 2022. The doctrine emphasizes: Strengthening air defense, including radar and missile defense capabilities Developing special operations forces Increasing domestic production of ammunition to reduce reliance on imports Establishing partnerships with foreign defense companies to procure modern equipment and create joint ventures for advanced weapon production In the 2024 Global Firepower Index, which ranks military strength, Kazakhstan placed 58th out of 145 countries. This ranking solidifies its position as having the strongest Armed Forces in Central Asia.

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Uzbekistan Shakes Up Top Security Positions

Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has reshuffled several top posts in the government’s security establishment, a presidential aide said on Sunday. Shukhrat Khalmukhamedov has been promoted to defense minister from his previous post as the ministry’s first deputy minister and chief of the general staff of the military, presidential press secretary Sherzod Asadov said on social media. Khalmukhamedov had held his previous job since 2021. Khalmukhamedov replaced Bahodir Kurbanov, who was defense minister for five years and moved to chairman of the State Security Service, the national intelligence agency, according to the press secretary. Kurbanov, in turn, took over from Abdusalam Azizov, who was transferred to the Security Council secretariat under the president. Azizov previously held several high-level jobs, including defense minister, internal affairs minister and head of the Uzbekistan Football Association. The government did not announce any reasons for the reshuffle. It came one month after a shooting attack on a vehicle in the Tashkent region that prompted reports by Uzbek media organizations and social media posts that a former high-profile figure in the government was traveling in the vehicle and was the target. There were no injuries in the attack. The prosecutor general’s office has said several suspects were arrested, but has provided few other details about the case. Authorities warned that people who spread false information can be prosecuted because it can lead to panic and destabilize society. In other security developments in the region, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has told his government to upgrade protections at key military and civilian facilities because of escalating hostilities between Ukraine and Russia, which launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022.

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Uzbekistan to Create ‘Schools of Courage’ for Pre-Conscription Training

Uzbekistan's President Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed a decree on November 15 to enhance the system of initial pre-conscription training for young citizens. As a result, one “school of courage” will be established at a school in each district and city of the country. The primary objective of these schools is to instill patriotism, physical fitness, and spiritual growth in the younger generation. Students will receive advanced instruction in mathematics, history, physical education, foreign languages, physics, and initial pre-conscription training (IPT). Selection for the “schools of courage” will begin from the fifth grade. These schools will feature an expanded curriculum, including robotics, medical training, legal literacy, and national sports. Practical training will be conducted biannually at military ranges and quarterly at military units. Higher military and paramilitary educational institutions will oversee the schools, providing educational and methodological support. In other schools across the country, pre-conscription training will be taught for two hours weekly, with an additional hour for grades 10–11. Starting June 1, 2025, the position of deputy director for patriotic education will be discontinued, with its responsibilities transferred to the Ministry of Defense. In its place, a new position—head of IPT—will focus on military and patriotic training for schoolchildren. This initiative is part of ongoing efforts to enhance patriotic education, as discussed in a recent presidential meeting. It is envisioned that the “schools of courage” will play a vital role in the national education system, fostering loyal and well-rounded citizens.

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Uzbekistan Leads in Central Asia’s Military Strength Rankings

U.S. News recently published its list of the world’s strongest militaries, with Russia, the U.S., and Israel in the top three. The Times of Central Asia reviewed this rating in the Central Asian countries section. Uzbekistan ranks 19th globally in military strength, the highest in the region. However, U.S. News ranks the country 74th out of 78 in its “Best Countries” category, citing an economy still largely driven by cotton. Uzbekistan remains a major global player in cotton, as the fifth-largest exporter and seventh-largest producer worldwide. Kazakhstan, Central Asia’s largest economy, ranks 22nd for military strength and is noted for its vast reserves of fossil fuels, uranium, and other minerals. Much of Kazakhstan’s economic growth has been oil-driven, and the country ranks 83rd on the “Best Countries” list. U.S. News ranked countries based on cultural influence, entrepreneurship, heritage, openness to business, quality of life, and social purpose. In a separate ranking, the Global Firepower Military Index for 2024 lists Kazakhstan as Central Asia’s top military power, placing it at 58th worldwide. Uzbekistan has fallen by three places since last year’s rankings — the only country in the region not to show an improvement — and is now in the 65th position. In the bottom half of the table, Turkmenistan lies in 83rd place, while Kyrgyzstan is 100th. Global Firepower puts Tajikistan in 107th place, making it the region’s weakest army.

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Kazakhstan May Manufacture Turkish Bayraktar Drones

A delegation headed by Kazakhstan's Minister of Defense , Colonel General Ruslan Zhaksylykov, attended the IV International Exhibition of Defense and Aerospace Equipment SAHA EXPO-2024 opening ceremony in Istanbul. The event brought together leading representatives of the military-industrial complex of Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. It demonstrated the latest developments, including automatic troop and battle management systems, robotic systems, communications, air defense, radio reconnaissance, electronic warfare, radio countermeasures, unmanned aerial vehicles, and laser technologies. During the exhibition, Zhaksylykov held talks with Turkish Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler and Chairman of the Defense Industry Agency Haluk Görgün. He also met with Mohammed bin Mubarak Fadel Al Mazroui, UAE Minister of State for Defense Affairs. Special attention was paid to the talks with Baykar Defense CEO Haluk Bayraktar. The parties agreed on developing a roadmap for the localization of the production of tactical unmanned aircraft systems and barrage munitions at the operational level in Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan is actively developing the production of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with the involvement of foreign partners. One of the significant projects is the joint production of Anka drones with Turkey, which will start in 2024. The agreement between Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) and Kazakhstan Engineering provides for technology transfer and the creation of an assembly line, allowing Kazakhstan to produce drones independently in the future. In addition to Turkey, Kazakhstan cooperates with South Korea and China on drones. In 2023, Petropavlovsk established local drone production using components from China. Such steps contribute to the development of Kazakhstan's defense industry and reduce dependence on imports.