Kazakhstan Defence Minister Outlines Key Priorities for Military Reform
Astana, The Gulf Observer: Kazakhstan’s newly appointed Defence Minister Aidos Myrzakhmetov has outlined key priorities for the development and reform of the country’s Armed Forces, with particular emphasis on combat readiness, military safety and modernisation.
Myrzakhmetov discussed the reform agenda during his first working meeting with the leadership of the Defence Ministry, held in accordance with instructions from President and Supreme Commander-in-Chief Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
The reform programme is focused on strengthening the Armed Forces’ actual combat readiness, improving the command and control system, enhancing the quality of military training and developing weapons and military equipment in response to modern security challenges and advances in military technology.
Particular attention will be given to the safety and welfare of military personnel. Commanders have been instructed to maintain a healthy moral and psychological environment in military units, improve educational work and service and living conditions, while taking measures to prevent and eliminate hazing.
The Defence Minister also called for a revision of approaches to military training so that it more closely reflects contemporary combat conditions and incorporates practical experience and lessons from recent conflicts. Training is expected to take greater account of unmanned systems, electronic warfare, reconnaissance, communications and other modern technologies.
Commanders have additionally been tasked with ensuring that military units are highly proficient, cohesive and continuously prepared to carry out their assigned missions under different conditions.
The reform agenda also includes further digitalisation of command and administrative processes and a reduction in excessive reporting, administrative procedures and meetings that do not contribute to operational effectiveness. Resources freed through these measures are to be redirected towards strengthening the combat capability of the Armed Forces.
The ministry will also continue efforts to improve military logistics, with procurement and distribution of resources to be based on the actual needs of troops and combat-training priorities. Myrzakhmetov called for the efficient use of budgetary resources, elimination of wasteful expenditure and greater transparency in decision-making.
“The army must develop not for the sake of reporting figures or show events. Every process, every decision, and every allocated resource must produce a practical result and aim at raising the combat capability of the Armed Forces. Every soldier must feel safe,” the Defence Minister said.
The meeting also reviewed progress on a comprehensive audit of the Defence Ministry ordered by President Tokayev. Heads of structural units were instructed to assist the audit commission and provide the information required for its work.
The planned reforms follow President Tokayev’s recent directives to strengthen defence capabilities, improve military administration, modernise equipment and technologies, enhance professional training and make the safety and well-being of military personnel a priority. The Security Council is expected to review the army reform plan in October.
