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Kazakhstan to Establish Major Defense Industry Hub at Semey Tank Repair Plant

Kazakhstan is set to create a large-scale defense industry center based on Central Asia’s only tank repair plant, located in Semey. The announcement was made by Kazakhstan's Defense Minister Ruslan Zhaksylykov during a conference of the Association of Defense Industry Enterprises. According to Zhaksylykov, the facility will go beyond its current role of repairing and modernizing military equipment and will also begin producing weapons. This initiative aims to enhance Kazakhstan’s defense capabilities and reduce the country’s reliance on imported military hardware. The Semey tank repair plant, operational since 1987, specializes in servicing armored personnel carriers (APCs), self-propelled artillery units, and tanks. Transforming it into a defense industry hub will allow Kazakhstan to expand its military production and strengthen its position in the regional defense sector. "Today, 124 companies operate in Kazakhstan's defense industry, but not all are actual manufacturers. Some exist only to receive funds from state defense contracts without producing anything," Zhaksylykov stated. To address these inefficiencies, the minister proposed establishing a special commission comprising representatives from both the Defense Ministry and private sector businesses. Zhaksylykov also underscored the importance of localizing military production. He emphasized that even if advanced military technologies are sourced from abroad, their adaptation and manufacturing should take place within Kazakhstan to ensure technological independence and sustainability.

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UN Pays Kazakhstan $2.6 Million Annually for Military Equipment in Golan Heights

The United Nations pays Kazakhstan $2.6 million per year for the lease of military equipment and weapons used in its peacekeeping mission in the Golan Heights, Kazakhstan's Deputy Defense Minister Shaykh-Khasan Zhazykbayev announced at a Mazhilis meeting. On February 12, Mazhilis deputies ratified a memorandum with the UN outlining the terms of Kazakhstan’s contribution to the mission. Since March 2024, 139 Kazakhstani servicemen have been deployed to the region, supported by 26 units of military equipment. Under the agreement, UN payments are divided into two categories: approximately $2.4 million per year is allocated for personnel maintenance, while $2.6 million covers the lease of military equipment, weapons, and other resources. Each Kazakhstani peacekeeper receives a monthly salary of $1,448, along with additional payments for leave and out-of-pocket expenses. A separate agreement between Kazakhstan and the UN regulates financial transactions. Under this arrangement, payments for military personnel go directly to the soldiers, while funds for leased equipment and property are transferred to the state budget. During 11 months of operations in the Golan Heights, Kazakhstani peacekeepers have neutralized approximately 200 unexploded ordnance and conducted the evacuation of a UN employee. The Ministry of Defense of Kazakhstan reported that in December 2024, the contingent demonstrated a high level of professionalism, efficiency, and coordination. Meanwhile, tensions in the conflict zone remain high. The Kazakh contingent operates in a region where hostilities between Israel and Syria persist. Israel continues to expand military infrastructure in the Golan Heights, which it has controlled since 1967. However, many countries recognize the area as Syrian territory and consider it occupied. Previously, the UN discussed the possibility of evacuating Kazakhstani peacekeepers if the security situation deteriorates.

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Uzbekistan-Afghanistan Relations Falter Over Return of Taliban Helicopters

Uzbekistan has returned some of the helicopters flown into its territory by Afghan pilots during the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan to the United States, Voice of America reported, citing Pentagon officials at an event at the Uzbek Embassy in Washington. Most of the American aircraft brought to Uzbekistan by Afghan pilots have now been returned. Recently, seven Black Hawk helicopters were sent back to the United States, according to Voice of America. Uzbekistan’s decision has drawn criticism from the Taliban-controlled Ministry of Defense, which claims the aircraft belong to Afghanistan and should be returned. “These helicopters were taken to Uzbekistan when officials from the previous administration fled. They are Afghan property and should not be transferred to the United States,” the ministry stated. It also called on neighboring countries to respect Afghanistan’s rights and urged the U.S. to return the aircraft instead of creating further obstacles. U.S. Ambassador to Uzbekistan Jonathan Henick confirmed that in 2021, Washington and Tashkent reached an agreement regarding the aircraft. He noted that some military equipment remains in Uzbekistan and that both countries have begun working on a joint program related to it. Afghanistan’s Ministry of Defense, however, has rejected any such agreement, stating that the U.S. has no right to seize or transfer Afghan property. It urged Uzbekistan to return the aircraft in the spirit of good neighborly relations. According to Afghan media, prior to the Taliban’s takeover in August 2021, Afghanistan had 164 warplanes, but only 81 remain. Some Afghan pilots also flew aircraft to Tajikistan. Uzbekistan has made it clear that the helicopters are now under U.S. jurisdiction. The Taliban, however, continues to insist that they rightfully belong to Afghanistan and should be returned.

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Uzbekistan to Receive Advanced ANKA Drones from Turkish Defense Company TUSAŞ

Uzbekistan will soon receive ANKA drones from Turkish defense company TUSAŞ, according to the SavunmaSanayiST portal. Deliveries are expected to begin in the coming days, though Uzbekistan has not disclosed details regarding the number of drones, their cost, or the terms of the agreement. Originally developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) for the Turkish Armed Forces in the early 2000s, ANKA drones were initially designed for surveillance and reconnaissance. Over time, they have been upgraded with advanced radar systems, precision weaponry, and satellite communication capabilities. The first model, Anka-A, was introduced in 2010, with the Turkish Air Force signing its first contract for the drones in 2013. Subsequent improvements have equipped the drones with a national mission computer, an advanced flight control system, synthetic aperture radar, and a friend-or-foe identification system. TAI currently offers the Anka-B and Anka-S models, while the Anka-I variant was specifically developed for Turkey’s National Intelligence Organization for signals intelligence. As of March 2021, ANKA drones had accumulated over 90,000 flight hours. Uzbekistan has been steadily modernizing its defense forces. Last year, U.S. News ranked Uzbekistan 19th globally in military strength, the highest ranking among Central Asian countries. The acquisition of ANKA drones is expected to further enhance Uzbekistan’s surveillance and defense capabilities, reinforcing its position as a regional military power.

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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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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.