Kazakhstan has approved a military reform plan that will create a Drone Force and introduce a two-stage model for conscript service: six months of training in training centers and another six months in military units. The document was reviewed at a Security Council meeting chaired by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the Akorda reported. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.

The head of state stressed the need to create a modern, mobile and technologically advanced army as soon as possible. He had previously instructed officials to prepare proposals for reforming the defense sector, taking into account large-scale transformations in the country.

«The task is to change the quality of the Armed Forces. This concerns management, the training of servicemen, personnel policy, military education, defense planning and technological equipment. The safety of service, the culture of command, and the efficiency of using state resources require special attention. The interaction of the army with society should also change. This is about a comprehensive reform. Half-measures here will not produce the necessary result,» Tokayev said.

The plan provides for dividing conscript service into two stages. In the first six months, recruits will train at training centers. They will spend the next six months in military units, where the main emphasis will be on combat training and performing tasks as part of subunits.

To ensure the safety of servicemen and protect their rights, the plan envisages creating institutions of military consultants and a Commissioner for Servicemen's Affairs. Measures are also envisaged to prevent hazing and strengthen discipline.

The main provisions of the plan were presented by Deputy Chair of the Security Council Aida Balayeva. The document was prepared taking into account international experience in military construction, modern methods of warfare and proposals from Kazakh specialists.

The reform involves revising the structure and composition of the Armed Forces, improving management and defense planning, forming a Drone Force and strengthening key components of the army. Institutional transformations should increase the efficiency of the entire military organization of the state.

In addition, the plan provides for the development of a unified system of military-patriotic training «Zhas Aibyn» based on the «Adal Azamat» concept, expanding the network of specialized military schools and improving initial military training.

Defense Minister Aidos Myrzakhmetov reported on the planned modernization of the army. One element of the reform will be a new information and communication strategy for the Armed Forces. The quality of educational work is planned to be improved based on the constitutional principle «Law and Order.» These measures are aimed at strengthening discipline and public trust in the army.

The organizational measures of the plan are scheduled to be implemented by the end of 2026, and the main conceptual measures in 2027.

Tokayev also instructed that the work of the commission for a comprehensive review of the state of affairs at the Ministry of Defense be completed by the end of the year. He stressed that military security requires coordinated action by all relevant agencies.

Following the meeting, the plan was approved. The president noted the importance of timely and full implementation of the transformations. Coordination of this work was assigned to the government and the Security Council.

Earlier, Kursiv reported that Tokayev demanded a military reform plan be prepared after 14 servicemen died during exercises in the Mangistau region. A special commission was created to comprehensively review the state of affairs at the Ministry of Defense.