Kazakhstan is set to modernize its Armed Forces following the approval of a comprehensive military reform plan by the country’s Security Council. At a meeting chaired by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on October 21, the council laid out plans to enhance military management, training, and establish a new Unmanned Forces branch. The reform aims to create a military that is modern, mobile, and technologically advanced.
President Tokayev highlighted the importance of strengthening service safety, improving command standards, and using public resources efficiently. He also emphasized fostering better relations between the military and society. The reform plan draws from international military experiences and modern warfare lessons, coupled with domestic specialist recommendations.
A notable aspect of the reform is the introduction of a two-stage model of compulsory military service. Recruits will complete six months of training at military centers, followed by another six months of active service in military units, focusing on combat readiness and operational duties. Additional measures will protect servicemen’s rights, enhance military discipline, and strengthen safety standards.
The government plans to expand military-patriotic education, establish more specialized military schools, and improve initial military training. A new information and communications strategy will be introduced, along with strengthened educational programs adhering to the constitutional principle of law and order.
Organizational changes are expected to be completed by the end of 2026, with the main conceptual reforms slated for implementation in 2027. President Tokayev has instructed officials to conduct a comprehensive review of the Defence Ministry by the end of 2026. The government and Security Council will coordinate the implementation, with military security identified as a national priority requiring cross-institutional cooperation.