ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has called for a radical reform of Kazakhstan’s Armed Forces, saying the safety and lives of service officers must be an unconditional priority for commanders at all levels, following the deaths of 14 military personnel during exercises in the Mangystau Region.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev outlines key priorities for the Armed Forces. Photo credit: Akorda.
Speaking at a meeting with the leadership of the Ministry of Defense on Sept. 27, Tokayev said the Caspian Sea tragedy exposed systemic shortcomings in the military and underscored the need for fundamental changes in how the Armed Forces are managed, trained and equipped. He also introduced newly appointed Defense Minister Aidos Myrzakhmetov to the ministry’s leadership, Akorda reported.
The meeting began with a minute of silence for the 14 service officers who lost their lives during the exercises on Sept. 24. Tokayev said he had sent messages of condolence to the families of all those who died and assured them that they would receive the necessary assistance.
“It is time for a radical military reform. This is an urgent task,” Tokayev said.
President orders investigation into military exercise
Tokayev gave a critical assessment of the circumstances surrounding the deaths and said the investigation must go beyond establishing what happened during the exercise.
He instructed officials to examine how the exercise was designed, whether its objectives matched modern security threats, and how the General Staff coordinated its preparation and conduct.
President Tokayev questioned why the Commander-in-Chief of the Naval Forces had not attended the exercise and raised concerns about the military’s crisis-response plans and command procedures.
According to Tokayev, service officers participating in the exercise were not provided with necessary equipment, including marine life jackets.
He instructed the Government commission investigating the incident to assess the actions of all officials responsible for planning and conducting the exercise, supplying personnel and ensuring compliance with safety requirements.
Tokayev stressed that military ranks and positions could not exempt anyone from responsibility.
Comprehensive review of Defense Ministry underway
The Ministry of Defense has also launched a comprehensive review. The inspection covers the organization of military service, supplies, and the Armed Forces’ material and financial provision.
The commission, headed by Deputy Chair of the Security Council Aida Balayeva, has been tasked with identifying violations and determining which officials should be held accountable. The President placed the issue under his personal control.
Ten-day deadline set for military reform plan
Tokayev said the shortcomings revealed by the tragedy demonstrated the need for a comprehensive transformation of the defense establishment.
“The goal of the reform is to create an army of a new type,” he said, adding that Kazakhstan’s military command system should be rebuilt in line with international best practices.
President Tokayev criticized what he described as outdated approaches and called for the Armed Forces to pursue digital transformation, with technology replacing human involvement wherever possible. He said the military needed practical solutions rather than standardized approaches, ceremonial exercises and formal reports.
The Security Council Secretariat, together with the Ministry of Defense, was instructed to submit a Military Reform Plan within 10 days. The plan is expected to be considered at a Security Council meeting in the second half of October. Tokayev also ordered the reform to be presented as a clear, concrete, phased plan rather than a broad concept or roadmap.
Priorities for the new Defense Minister
President Tokayev identified several immediate priorities for Myrzakhmetov. First, improve the efficiency of military spending.
“All funds allocated must produce the maximum possible result for ensuring the country’s defense capability,” Tokayev said, stressing that misuse of funds and embezzlement would not be tolerated.
The second priority is to reform the Armed Forces to meet modern threats. Tokayev also called for transparent criteria for selecting and evaluating military personnel. He said appointments to command positions should be based on experience and competence, not personal loyalty.
The third priority is to strengthen ideological and educational work in the Armed Forces, with an emphasis on constitutional values, military history and the achievements of Kazakh and world culture.
Service officers’ safety placed at center of reform
Tokayev said the army should provide professional training, knowledge and a sense of patriotism, while the safety and lives of service officers must remain an unconditional priority.
“Service in the army should not instill fear and horror,” he said, stressing that the Armed Forces should develop young people into disciplined and patriotic citizens.
He also called for greater attention to service officers who perform strongly and receive recognition from their commanders, saying their service should be reflected objectively in public information.
President Tokayev separately emphasized the need to strengthen social support for service officers and their families. He highlighted the same priority during his Sept. 27 meeting with Myrzakhmetov, when he also instructed the new minister to improve professional training, military infrastructure, weapons and equipment, and the use of modern technologies and digital solutions.
Vice President Erlan Karin also held a meeting to coordinate the work of state bodies and public organizations involved in implementing decisions taken after the incident and conducting public information efforts.
