Kazakhstan ramps up defence reforms with focus on mobility, technology

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has directed the Ministry of Defence to intensify efforts to enhance the combat readiness and operational capability of the country’s armed forces, underscoring the strategic importance of military modernization in a rapidly evolving global security environment.

According to a statement released by the presidential press service, Tokayev convened a high-level meeting with Defence Minister Ruslan Zhaksylykov to discuss the future trajectory of Kazakhstan’s defence capabilities, Caliber.Az reports.

The president outlined a series of priorities designed to reshape and strengthen the military structure in line with contemporary security challenges.

Among the key areas of focus are increasing the mobility of troops, reinforcing air defence systems, expanding the use and development of unmanned aerial units, and upgrading the nation’s military infrastructure. These initiatives, Tokayev stressed, are critical to ensuring that Kazakhstan's armed forces remain agile, responsive, and technologically equipped to safeguard national interests.

“Tokayev tasked the minister with further increasing the army’s combat potential,” the official statement noted, signaling a renewed emphasis on defence preparedness.

In addition to combat readiness, the president highlighted the necessity of improving the safety and well-being of service members. He called for enhanced measures to prevent injuries and accidents within the armed forces, pointing to the need for better safety protocols and risk mitigation strategies during training and active duty operations.

By Vafa Guliyeva