Kazakhstan’s President Highlights Defense Sector Priorities
President and Supreme Commander-in-Chief Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized the importance of the Armed Forces of Kazakhstan in protecting the fundamental values of peace and tranquility amid conflicts at an expanded meeting on the development of the army on May 5. The President stressed the necessity of providing professional training and equipping the forces with modern weapons and advanced technologies. The establishment of the Special Operations Command would enhance the capabilities of air assault troops, bolster territorial defense forces, form civil defense units and strengthen special forces units. The domestic military-industrial complex would play a significant role in full-fledged rearmament and modernization of the army. Tokayev suggested increasing the share of high-precision weapons, drones, robotic systems, the fleet of military transport aviation and combat vehicles for higher mobility. The President also spoke about the benefits provided to soldiers, such as admission to higher educational institutions and temporary relief from loan obligations. Tokayev also announced an increase in salaries for military pilots, teachers and doctors working in this field. Another crucial task was to instill the spirit of patriotism in the youth. Kazakhstan has nearly 9,000 military-patriotic organizations involving more than 260,000 young people. Tokayev emphasized that Kazakhstan is a peace-loving country that maintains friendly relations with all countries and stands for solving any issues between states peacefully. The President congratulated service members on the Defender of the Fatherland Day and Victory Day, conferring many with state awards and highest military ranks.
