Unmanned Forces, Two-Stage Conscription, and a Military Ombudsman: Tokayev Approves Sweeping Army Reform

Astana — Chaired by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the Security Council of the Republic of Kazakhstan has officially approved the draft of a comprehensive Military Reform Plan. The Head of State has mandated the rapid transformation of the nation’s military into a modern, highly mobile, and technologically advanced force, Tiek.kz reports.

Opening the session, the President emphasized that the country’s defense capabilities require a radical overhaul to align with modern geopolitical realities and sweeping internal state transformations.

“The task has been set to fundamentally change the quality of the Armed Forces. This concerns command and control, the training of military personnel, personnel policy, military education, defense planning, and technological equipment,” Kassym-Jomart Tokayev stated. “Special attention must be paid to the safety of military service, command culture, and the efficient use of state resources. We are talking about a comprehensive reform. Half-measures will not yield the necessary results.”

Unmanned Forces and a Conscription Overhaul

The core provisions of the Plan, developed with a focus on advanced international combat experience, were presented by the Deputy Secretary of the Security Council, Aida Balayeva. The document outlines profound institutional shifts.

A major structural change will be the creation of an entirely new branch within the Armed Forces: the Unmanned Forces (Drone Command).

Another critical innovation is the transition to a two-stage model of compulsory military service. Under the new regulations, a conscript’s year of service will be strictly divided:

• Phase 1 (Six Months): Conscripts will undergo intensive, specialized training in dedicated military training centers.

• Phase 2 (Six Months): Only after completing this rigorous preparation will soldiers be deployed to active military units to perform duties within combat divisions.

Zero Tolerance for Hazing: The Military Ombudsman

A central pillar of the reform is the absolute prioritization of soldier safety and the strengthening of military discipline. To eradicate hazing (dedovshchina) and protect the legal rights of conscripts, Kazakhstan will establish the institution of military consultants and officially create the position of the Commissioner for Servicemen’s Affairs (Military Ombudsman).

Furthermore, the state will expand the unified system of military-patriotic training, Zhas Aibyn, grounded in the national concept of Adal Azamat (Honest Citizen). The plan also includes expanding the network of specialized military schools and significantly improving the quality of initial military training (NVP) for youth.

Timelines and a Comprehensive Defense Audit

Minister of Defense Aidos Myrzakhmetov reported on the operational details of the impending modernization. According to the Minister, the army will adopt a new information and communication strategy based on the constitutional principle of “Law and Order,” aimed at restoring and elevating public trust in the Armed Forces.

The organizational stages of the Plan will be executed by the end of this year, with the primary conceptual measures set to be implemented throughout 2027.

Concluding the meeting, President Tokayev instructed that the special Commission conducting a comprehensive audit of the Ministry of Defense must finalize its work by the end of the year. The Government and the Security Council have been tasked with jointly coordinating the execution of the newly approved Military Reform Plan.