President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has announced the need for a deep transformation of the Ministry of Defence. The Apparatus of the Security Council, together with the ministry, must submit a military reform plan within ten days. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.
"At a recent meeting with the Apparatus of the Security Council, I outlined the priorities for work in the military sphere. Our army has frozen in the past century. At the same time, the command system must be completely rebuilt in accordance with advanced international experience. A comprehensive approach is needed; for this, one must have a vision, and only competent officers with a broad outlook possess a vision. The goal of the reform is the formation of a new-model army," Tokayev emphasized.
The head of state instructed that the army be transferred onto the tracks of digital transformation and that technologies be used instead of people wherever possible.
"New approaches to the development of the army are required. Template solutions, 'showcase' maneuvers, and beautiful reports are needed by no one," the president noted.
"All allocated funds must yield maximum results for ensuring the state's defence capability. Misuse of funds, especially embezzlement, is unacceptable. No one will escape responsibility for such actions," Tokayev said.
"Promotion to command positions should be carried out exclusively on the basis of experience and competencies, and not on the principle of personal loyalty," he stated.
"Defence of the Motherland is the sacred duty of every citizen. Those who have dedicated their lives to military service deserve the care and support of the state. Service in the army should not inspire fear and horror; the army is called upon to be an institution that, using the best examples of the past and present, educates young warriors and true patriots of their Fatherland," the head of state said.
Tokayev also called for objective coverage of the service of military personnel, primarily those who have received high marks and commendations from the command.
The president emphasized that he expects a clear, phased reform plan, rather than voluminous concepts and roadmaps. The document will be considered at a meeting of the Security Council in the second half of October. The reform of the army will be coordinated by the Apparatus of the Security Council.