Constructing a Modern Military in Kazakhstan

In July, Kazakhstan fulfilled a preexisting offer by opening an airport near Almaty to the United States Air Force for use in emergencies. The opening prompted speculation that Kazakhstan will become the fourth Central Asian state to serve as a base for American and allied forces in the war on terrorism. But this arrangement may signal that Kazakhstan means to revitalize its own military.

For the time being at least, Kazakh Foreign Minister Kasymzhomart Tokayev has denied that his country is deepening its commitments to the United States. Like all Central Asian officials, Tokayev knows that his native armed forces suffer from low standards, inadequate training and small budgets. Despite Kazakhstan's participation in the NATO Partnership for Peace Program since 1994, and the recent high profile training of its Special Forces by its US counterparts, the military remains undistinguished. So Kazakhstan seeks to build a modern military, in part through contact with the world's sole military superpower.

Kazakhstan has restructured its armed forces without improving their standards, according to former military commissar General Asker Kusmanovich. The country hopes to have professional soldiers comprising half its force by 2010. It has deepened its links with NATO, signing onto an alliance planning and analysis process program on June 9. Kazakh Defense Minister Colonel General Mukhtar Altynbayev has described the American presence in his country as part of an overall push toward a sounder military. Kazakhstan is keen to acquire modern weaponry as cheaply as possible. Although it has traditionally looked to Russia for military equipment, the United States has offered to supply arms and military training to consolidate the