Kazakh Ground Forces

Kazakh Ground Forces
Қазақстан Республикасының Құрлық әскерлері Qazaqstan Respublikasynyñ Qūrlyq äskerlerı Сухопутные войска Республики Казахстан
Shoulder Patch of the Kazakh Ground Forces
Founded	9 April 1993
Country	Kazakhstan
Type	Army
Size	80,000
Part of	Armed Forces of Kazakhstan
Directorate of the Commander-in-Chief	44 Victory Avenue, Astana
Anniversaries	7 May
Engagements	Tajikistani Civil War Iraq War
Commanders
Supreme Commander-in-chief	Kassym-Jomart Tokayev
Chief of the General Staff	Lieutenant General Murat Bektanov
Commander of the Ground Forces	Major General Talgat Koibakov

The Kazakh Ground Forces (Kazakh: Қазақстан Құрлық әскерлері, Qazaqstan Qūrlyq äskerlerı; Russian: Сухопутные войска Казахстана) is the land service branch of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan. It is one of the three uniformed military services, and is the most senior branch of the Kazakh military in order of precedence. The main tasks of the Ground Forces include the following:^[1] maintaining the readiness of troops to repel aggression, the armed defense of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Kazakhstan, protecting the state and military facilities, peacekeeping missions. In its duties, it primarily engages in land warfare and combined arms operations, including armored and mechanized operations as well as airborne and air assault operations. It is headed by a chief military officer, the Commander of the Ground Forces who is also a member of the General Staff.

Many large units of the Turkestan Military District were redeployed from the Turkmen SSR to Eastern Kazakhstan back in the 1960s. Immediately prior to its dissolution, the 40th Army (Soviet Union), the former 32nd Army, consisted of the 78th Tank Division, the 5202nd Base for Storage of Weapons and Equipment (prior to 1989, the 71st Motor Rifle Division), the 5203rd Storage Base in Ust-Kamenogorsk (prior to 1989, the 155th Motor Rifle Division), the 5204th Storage Bade at Karaganda (prior to 1989, the 203rd Zaporozhye Khingan Motor Rifle Division), the 69th Tank Division and the 10th Fortified Area.^[2] The 69th Tank Division and the 10th Fortified Area were both disbanded in 1992.

The 57th Separate Airborne Brigade based in Aktogay, East Kazakhstan Region was the only unit of the Soviet Airborne Forces based in Kazakhstan.^[3]

The Kazakh Army was founded on 9 April 1993, by the order of Defense Minister Sagadat Nurmagambetov. It followed the enacting of the law, "On Defense and Armed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan", which is the legal basis for the Kazakh military structures.^[4] The former Soviet structure of troops was preserved, with the Kazakh Army being made up of the Soviet 32nd Army, which had been serving in the Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic for many years before it came under Kazakh government control in May 1992.^[5] That month, on the basis of the 5203rd Military Equipment Storage Base (formerly the 155th Motorized Rifle Division), the 511th Motorized Rifle Regiment was re-formed with a deployment in the settlement. Georgievka, Semipalatinsk Region.

In the middle of the 1990s, the Kazakh Ground Forces included the 1st Army Corps (HQ Semipalatinsk), the 68th Motor Rifle Division (Sary-Ozek in the Kyzylorda Province), with 2 motor-rifle and one tank regiments, and the 78th Tank Division (HQ Ayaguz).^[6] The IISS reported that as of 1 June 1995 Kazakh ground forces included a corps HQ; a tank division; an artillery brigade; two motor-rifle divisions (one training); an artillery regiment; an independent motor rifle regiment; a multiple rocket launcher brigade with BM-21 and 9P140 "Urugan,"; and an air assault brigade.^[7] While the 68th Division was called a motor-rifle formation, in equipment terms it had almost 300 tanks and about 500 armored fighting vehicles. The 78th Tank Division had 350 tanks, 290 armored fighting vehicle, and 150 artillery pieces. The 210th Guards Training Center (often called the Division of Guards by Kazakh sources), had 6,000 soldiers and officers 220 tanks, and 220 artillery pieces, so was a strengthened division. In 1997, the 2nd Army Corps was created with headquarters in Almaty, under which all units and formations in the Almaty, Zhambyl and South Kazakhstan regions were transferred.

On 17 November 1997, the General Purpose Forces were formed.^[8] In 2000, on the basis of the 35th Guards Airborne Assault Brigade, the Mobile Forces of the Armed Forces were created, which in 2003 were renamed into Airmobile Forces as part of the Ground Forces. In 2015, Airmobile Troops were renamed Air Assault Troops.^[9][10] Since 2002, the ground forces have begun the transition to a brigade structure. In this regard, there was a process of disbandment of divisions and the creation of brigades on the basis of regiments.^[11]

On July 6, 2000, military districts (Kazakh: әскери округтер) were created to control the ground forces:^[12]

• Central Military District (HQ Karaganda)
• Eastern Military District (HQ Semey)
• Western Military District (HQ Atyrau)
• Southern Military District (HQ Taraz)

The Eastern Military District was formed on the basis of the administration of the 1st Army Corps.^[13] The Directorate of the Southern Military District (Military Unit 03858) was created in Taraz on 15 September 2000, on the basis of the directorate of the 2nd Army Corps and the Directorate of the Ground Forces.^[14][15] On 7 May 2003, the military districts were renamed into regional commands (Kazakh: өңірлік қолбасшылықтар)^[16][17] Currently, the ground forces include four regional commands:^[18]

• Regional Command "Astana" (HQ Karaganda)
• Regional Command "East" (HQ Semey)
• Regional Command "West" (HQ Atyrau)
• Regional Command "South" (HQ Taraz)

Each of the commands have the following general composition:^[19]

• One mechanized division (comprising three tank regiments and one artillery regiment)
• One motor rifle division (comprising one tank brigade, two motor rifle regiments, and one artillery regiment)
• One training center with two motor rifle regiments
• One motor rifle training regiment
• One tank training regiment
• One artillery regiment
• Three independent motor rifle brigades
• Two artillery brigades
• One engineer brigade

It is located within the administrative boundaries of Akmola, Karagandy Province, Kostanay Province and North Kazakhstan. The command acts as the Supreme Commander's reserve. The District includes the following units:^[20]

• 7th Separate Motor Rifle Brigade at Karaganda
• Reconnaissance Regiment at Aktas
• 401st Cannon Artillery Brigade at Ungurtas
• 402nd Rocket Artillery Brigade at Priozersk
• 403rd Anti-tank Artillery Brigade at Priozersk
• Training Center for Combat Training of Junior Specialists and the Reserve at Spassk
• Missile Forces and Artillery Training Center at Priozersk

The command has had the following commanders:

• Major General Vladimir Shatsky (April 2008–?)^[20]
• Colonel Mereke Kuchekbaev (since 9 January 2020)^[21]

It is located within the administrative boundaries of East Kazakhstan and Pavlodar Province (Families, Ust-Kamenogorsk, George, and Ayagoz Usharalsky Garrisons). The District has the following units:^[20]

• 3rd Mechanized Brigade (formerly the 78th Tank Division) at Ayaguz
• 3rd Separate Motor Rifle Brigade at Usharal (Military Unit No.40398, formed on the basis of a motor rifle regiment of the 155th Motor Rifle Division)
• 4th Mechanized Brigade at Novo-Akhmirovo, Ust-Kamenogorsk (Military Unit No.27943)
• 8th Mechanized Brigade at Semey.^[22] On 14 November 2016 the brigade, Military Unit 30217, celebrated the 27th anniversary of its originator, the 71st Motor Rifle Division.^[23]
• 11th Tank Brigade at Ayagoz
• 34th Artillery Brigade at Usharal
• 101st Missile Brigade at Semey
• 102nd Rocket Artillery Brigade at Semey
• 103rd Cannon Artillery Brigade at Semey
• Separate Reconnaissance Regiment at Semey
• Separate Communications Brigade at Semey
• Artillery Brigade
• Air Defence Missile Brigade
• Three Storage Bases

The command has had the following commanders:^[20]

• Lieutenant General Nikolai Pospelov (September 2008–?)
• Major General Asan Zhusupov (since September 2019)^[24]

It is located within the administrative boundaries of the West Kazakhstan Province, Aktobe Province, Atyrau Province and Mangystau Province. The main task is ensuring the integrity of state borders, territorial integrity, sovereignty and economic interests of Kazakhstan in the Kazakh sector of the Caspian Sea. The District has the following units:^[20]

• 100th Artillery Brigade at Aktobe (reportedly the former 2028th VKhVT with в/ч 32355)
• Separate Motorized Rifle Battalion at Aktobe
• 390th Guards Naval Infantry Brigade at Aktau
• Separate Reconnaissance Regiment at Atyrau
• Separate Motorized Rifle Battalion at Beineu
• Separate Motor Rifle Brigade
• Artillery Brigade

The command has had the following commanders:^[20]

• General Alimzhan Erniyazov (November 6, 2008 – July 28, 2009)
• Major General Aldiyarov Nurlan Kapanovich (May 6, 2021 – June 9, 2022)
• Major General Ospanov Daulet Ryskulbekovich (June 9, 2022)

It is located within the administrative boundaries of Almaty Province, Zhambyl Province, South Kazakhstan Province and Kyzylorda Province. The district's main task is ensuring security in the southeastern borders of the country. The District includes the following:^[20]

• 5th Mountain Rifle Brigade at Taraz
  • Separate Motor Rifle Battalion at Lugovoi
  • Separate Tank Battalion at Lugovoi
  • Separate Reconnaissance Battalion at Lugovoi
  • Separate Motor Rifle Battalion at Merke
• 6th Mechanized Brigade at Shymkent
• Separate Mountain-Jaeger Regiment
• 40th Otar Military Base
  • 12th Mechanized Brigade^[25][26][27]
  • 54th Guards Artillery Brigade
  • 23rd Engineer Brigade
  • Training Center of the Ground Forces named after Karasai Batyr
• 221st Separate Communications Brigade at Taraz
• 232nd Engineer Brigade at Kapchagai

The command has had the following commanders:^[20]

• General Uali Elamanov (2003—2004)
• General Bakhtiyar Syzdykov (2004—2007)
• General Bulat Darbekov (2007—2008)
• General Alikhan Dzharbulov (2008–?)
• Major General Talgat Koibakov (2012–2016)
• Major General Marat Khusainov (2016–2019)
• Major General Kaidar Karakulov (since 2019)

The Kazakh Air Assault Forces were formed by grouping the 35th Guards Air Assault Brigade (which arrived from Germany in April 1991 and was taken over by Kazakhstan in 1992) with new brigades formed from previous Soviet units. In October 2003, the 36th Separate Air Assault Brigade was formed on the basis of the 2nd Motor Rifle Brigade. On the basis of the Taldykorgan Motor Rifle Regiment, in April 2003 the 37th Separate Air Assault Brigade was formed. The 38th Air Assault Brigade is also known as the KAZBRIG Peacekeeping Brigade and was given its current name in 2007.^[28]

The Airmobile Forces consists of the following units:

• 35th Guards Air Assault Brigade (Kapshagai)
• 36th Air Assault Brigade (Astana)
• 37th Air Assault Brigade (Taldykorgan)
• 38th Air Assault Brigade^[20][29][30]

The Artillery and Missile Forces of Kazakhstan was formed in 1992 on the basis of the headquarters of the Missile Forces and Artillery of the Central Asian Military District of the Soviet Armed Forces. At first, they were structurally part of the Special Forces of the Ministry of Defense, and then the General Purpose Forces. Since 2003, they have operated as a separate branch of the military under the Ground Forces. Units and subunits are equipped with all the necessary types of missile and artillery systems of caliber from 82 to 300  mm.

The Department of Artillery has been operating at the Military Institute of the Ground Forces since 1993, which annually graduates up to 60 officers-artillerymen. In 2014, on the basis of the National University of Defense, the Department of Missile Forces and Artillery was created. Professional officers of this profile are also trained at the Mikhailovskaya Military Artillery Academy in St. Petersburg. Additionally, the forces are replenished by graduates of the military departments of the Karaganda State Technical University and the Almaty Satbayev University. In 1998, at the Matybulak training ground, three Tochka-U tactical missiles were launched, the launch of the first rocket from which was then carried out by President Nazarbayev. In 2002, at the Saryshagan training ground, operational-tactical exercises of the Rocket Forces and Artillery “Shield of the Motherland” were held.^[31]

The current commander is Colonel Askar Zholamanov.^[32] 19 November is celebrated as the Day of Missile Forces and Artillery.^[33]

The Military Institute of the Kazakh Ground Forces (Kazakh: Qurlyq áskerleriniń áskerı ınstıtýty / Құрлық әскерлерінің әскери институты) is the main educational institute of the Ground Forces and one of the leading Kazakh military academies. It has many notable alumni, including Lieutenant General Murat Maikeyev, Colonel General Saken Zhasuzakov and Major General Abibilla Kudayberdiev.^[34]

The training of junior specialists of rank and file in military accounting specialties for the Ground Forces is carried out in the following training centers:

• Training Center for Junior Specialists of the Kazakh Ground Forces named for Karasai Batyr – Jambyl Region^[35]
• Training Center for Combat Training of Junior Specialists and the Reserve of the Ground Forces – Spassk, Karaganda^[36]
• Training Center of the Missile Forces and Artillery – Priozersk, Karaganda

The Cadet Corps named after Shoqan Walikhanov is an institution of the Ministry of Defense was formed on 1 July 1996 as a secondary school that prepared Kazakh youth for service in the military. A month after its formation, the corps had 96 enlisted cadets, most of whom came from the Alma-Ata Higher All-Arms Command School. On its first graduation day in 1999, the corps received its own battle flag from the then head of the corps, Colonel Kuangaliev, and defense minister Mukhtar Altynbayev. The corps is currently based in the city of Shchuchinsk in the Akmola Region.^[37]

Some of Kazakhstan's officers have trained at the United States Military Academy at West Point.

Name	Origin	Caliber	Notes
Pistols
Makarov	Soviet Union	9×18mm Makarov
Stechkin	Soviet Union	9×18mm Makarov
Assault rifles
AK-47	Soviet Union	7.62×39mm
AKM	Soviet Union	7.62×39mm
Beretta ARX160	Italy	7.62×39mm
AK-74	Soviet Union	5.45×39mm	Standard assault rifle
Designated marksman rifles
SVD Dragunov	Soviet Union	7.62×54mmR

Name	Photo	Origin	Type	In service	Notes
Т-72БА		Kazakhstan	Main battle tank	350[38][39]+1000	Soviet T-72s were modernized.

Name	Photo	Origin	Type	In service	Notes
BMP-2		Soviet Union	Infantry fighting vehicle	300	Kazakhstan has mastered its own production of 30 mm shells for 2A42
BMP-1		Soviet Union	Infantry fighting vehicle	210

Name	Photo	Origin	Type	In service	Notes
BMPT-72 Terminator 2		Soviet Union /  Russia	Tank destroyer	10[40]	Chassis from Soviet T-72 Tank.

Name	Photo	Origin	Type	In service	Notes
BTR-82		Russia	Amphibious armoured personnel carrier	63[41]
BTR-80A		Russia	Amphibious armoured personnel carrier	70[41]
BTR-80		Soviet Union	Amphibious armoured personnel carrier	150[41]
BTR-60		Soviet Union	Amphibious armoured personnel carrier	approximately no more than 30	Only in the modification KShMР-145БМ[42]
MT-LB		Soviet Union	Amphibious armoured personnel carrier	50[41]

Name	Photo	Origin	Type	In service	Notes
Arlan		Kazakhstan	Infantry mobility vehicle	163[41]	Arlan is a multi–purpose armored wheeled vehicle with enhanced mine protection of the MRAP type. Produced at the Kazakhstan Paramount Engineering LLP[43]
Otokar Cobra		Turkey	Infantry mobility vehicle	17+[40]	Manufactured locally with license[44]
Cobra II		Turkey	Infantry mobility vehicle	?/45	It is planned to purchase 45 units of these vehicles for the needs of the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan.[45]
Humvee		United States	Armored car	40[40]
GAZ Tigr		Russia	Infantry mobility vehicle	21[40]
BRM-1		Soviet Union	БРМ	60[46]
BRDM-2		Soviet Union	БРМ	40[46]
BPM-97		Russia	Armoured personnel carrier, MRAP	18[40]

Surveillance Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Name	Origin	Photo	In service	Notes
Surveillance Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Elbit Skylark I-LEX	Israel		unknown	In service since 2014.[46]
Unknown Elbit UAV				[46]
Orlan-10E	Russia			[41]
Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles
CAIG Wing Loong I	China		4[47]	In service since 2016. (Can be armed with two Blue Arrow 7 AGMs or YZ-100 guided bombs).[47]
TAI Anka	Turkey		3[48]	In service since 2022. (Can be armed with four MAM-L or MAM-C guided bombs).[41]
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles - Prototypes
Shagala	Kazakhstan		unknown	[49]
Leyla				[49]

• International Institute for Strategic Studies (1995). The Military Balance 1995-96. Tavistock Street, London: Oxford University Press for the IISS. ISBN 0-19-828055-6.