BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 27. President of
Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has instructed the Security
Council Staff and the Ministry of Defense to prepare a military
reform plan within 10 days, during today’s meeting with Defense
Ministry leadership in Astana.
This was reported by the press service of the President of
Kazakhstan.
The meeting began with a minute of silence for the 14 servicemen
who died during military exercises in the Mangystau region on
September 24.
Tokayev said the servicemen had not been provided with the
necessary equipment during the exercises, including marine life
jackets.
He instructed the government commission investigating the
incident to assess the actions of all officials responsible for
preparing and conducting the exercises, supplying the servicemen
and ensuring compliance with safety measures.
A comprehensive review of the Defense Ministry has also begun.
The review will cover the organization of service, the state of
supplies, and the material and financial provision of the Armed
Forces.
The commission, headed by Deputy Chair of the Security Council
Aida Balayeva, is expected to identify violations and determine
those responsible. Tokayev stressed that military ranks and
positions cannot serve as grounds for exemption from
responsibility.
“It’s time for a fundamental military reform. This is an urgent
task,” Tokayev said, adding that Myrzakhmetov would have to address
“extremely complex tasks” as the new defense minister.
The president said the reform should involve a comprehensive
transformation of the military command system in line with
international practices and the introduction of digital
technologies.
“Our army is stuck in the last century,” Tokayev said. “At the
same time, the command system needs to be completely restructured
in line with advanced international experience.”
He said the goal of the reform was to create a new-model army,
while calling for technology to replace human involvement wherever
possible.
Tokayev also instructed the new defense minister to improve the
efficiency of budget spending, ensure that military reforms take
into account modern threats, and introduce transparent criteria for
the selection and assessment of personnel.
He said appointments to command positions should be based on
experience and competence rather than personal loyalty.
The president also called for stronger educational and
ideological work among servicemen based on the values of the
Constitution, military history, and achievements of Kazakh and
world culture.
Tokayev stressed that the safety and lives of servicemen must be
an unconditional priority.
He further instructed officials to prepare a clear, specific and
phased reform plan rather than broad concepts or road maps. The
plan is expected to be considered at a meeting of the Security
Council in the second half of October.
The president assigned the Security Council Staff to coordinate
the military reform process.
