OMM Newsroom
Kazakhstan is preparing sweeping army reforms after 14 servicemen died during exercises in the Caspian Sea. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev approved the plan on October 21, AnewZ reported. Major changes to training, oversight and defence capabilities are expected to begin in 2027.
The reforms were decided on after deadly exercises on September 24. The incident exposed serious shortcomings in military planning and personnel safety. A broader inspection at the Defence Ministry resulted in 13 criminal cases being opened over embezzlement, abuse of office and other violations.
The inspection’s findings raised serious questions about military leadership and accountability. Tokayev called for broad reforms rather than relying on individual measures.
“Special attention must be paid to the safety of military personnel, command culture and the efficient use of state resources,” Tokayev said. He also said relations between the army and society must change.
Two-stage training system for conscripts
One of the main reform areas is the introduction of a new two-stage system for Kazakhstan’s compulsory 12-month military service. From 2027, conscripts will spend their first six months at specialised training centres. During the second half of their service, they will continue combat training in military units and perform operational duties alongside the units to which they are assigned.
The new system is intended to help conscripts adapt to military life and reduce violence and hazing. Political commentator Gaziz Abishev wrote on Telegram that the changes could make it easier to detect violations and increase officers’ accountability. He said violence was harder to monitor in regular military units, while specialised training centres allowed for closer supervision.
Focus on oversight and unmanned forces
The reforms aim to improve personnel safety and strengthen discipline in the armed forces. The government plans to establish military adviser posts and create an authorised body to oversee issues concerning military personnel.
Other measures include expanding specialised military schools, improving basic training and strengthening military-patriotic education. A new communications strategy is intended to increase public confidence in the armed forces. Internal education programmes will place greater emphasis on the “Law and Order” principle enshrined in the Constitution.
Military modernisation is also a key priority: Kazakhstan plans to establish a separate branch of the armed forces for unmanned systems. The initiative draws on experience from modern conflicts, particularly the war in Ukraine, where relatively inexpensive drones have been able to destroy military equipment worth far more.
Kazakhstan is seeking to strengthen its regional defence capabilities. In the 2026 Global Firepower ranking, the country ranks 58th among 145 states. Uzbekistan is 53rd, Turkmenistan 78th, Tajikistan 100th and Kyrgyzstan 109th. Global Firepower estimates Kazakhstan’s 2026 defence budget at about $5.84 billion.
The reforms, presented by Aida Balayeva, deputy chair of Kazakhstan’s Security Council, incorporate lessons from international military practice, developments in modern warfare and recommendations from local experts.
Defence Minister Aidos Mirzakhmetov has outlined plans to modernise the armed forces. Tokayev has instructed officials to complete a comprehensive inspection of the Defence Ministry by the end of 2026.
Preparatory work is expected to be completed by the end of this year, paving the way for the main reforms to take effect in 2027. The government and Security Council will oversee their implementation.
