Kazakhstan is the largest, and richest, country in Central Asia. It's a close ally of Russia, and a significant player in the regional geopolitics. It also has some fairly large armed forces, and over the last few years has made interesting choices in equipment for them. This is a thread to discuss the Land Forces (Army) of Kazakhstan.
So first off, Kazakhstan is the only country in the world whose armed forces currently operate the BMPT Terminator. They purchased 4-10 of them, on iirc T-90S chassis, back in 2010, with deliveries completed in 2011. It's unclear whether additional purchases are planned, but it seems quite likely. This is the first actual purchase for these vehicles. Different sources name different numbers. 3 of them were demonstrated at a parade in Astana.
bmpd -
Kazakhstan also purchased the TOS-1, heavy flamethrower/MLRS. It's a short range MLRS that uses thermobaric warheads to incinerate a large area. So far it's been almost exclusively used by the Russian NBC forces flamethrower btlns. This will be it's first export contract. The numbers purchased are unclear, but 3 were shown at the same parade. Possibly a total of 10 were delivered.
Kazakhstan also purchased the BTR-82A. This is a BTR-80 derivative that features slightly improved protection, and a new combat module with a stabilizer. This is also the first export contract for the type. In fact Kazakhstan ordered them immediately after they passed state trials in the Russian Army. They took delivery of 30 of them in 2011, and have signed a contract for 90 more this year, with 70 to be delivered before year end, and 20 more next year. Reportedly an additional 3-year contract is in the works. However Kazakhstan has also ordered a small trial party of BTR-4 APCs from Ukraine. The fate of the larger 3-year deal may rest on competitive trials.
bmpd -
Kazakhstan also purchased a number of BPM-97 Vystrel/Dozor (different publications name them differently) APCs. These are light APCs with typically no built-in combat modules, instead featuring a top hatch allowing for the standard assortment of crew-served weapon mounts. However after receiving the first batch of iirc 17 units, Kazakhstan was thoroughly dissatisfied with their performance, and chose not to purchase additional units. Interestingly enough the Russian military submitted a request that a reworked version of the Vystrel be prepared, because they too were dissatisfied with the results of experimental exploitation. However, despite this, the Russian military continued to acquire the original BPM-97 in considerable quantities. Currently they've been sighted in guard units in the Strategic Rocket Forces, at several Russian units in the North Caucus, and even in an NBC brigade (presumably being tested as a BRDM-2 replacement).
It seems that Kazakhstan is mirroring Russian Army procurement patterns a lot closer then almost any other country. And they have reaped certain rewards. For example they received 10 btlns of S-300 systems for free, from Russian PVO surplus. Not only is this one of the largest S-300 exports ever, but it was a gift. At the same time Kazakhstan has been reaching out to other countries for military technical cooperation and equipment purchases. Quite notably it's been working together with Israel on a new self-propelled artillery piece, and has purchase HMMVW armored vehicles from iirc the US. Given that they are possibly Russia's closest ally in the ex-USSR, if not the world, and given that any large conflict in Central Asia will affect them, it will be very interesting to see how they continue to modernize their armed forces.
So first off, Kazakhstan is the only country in the world whose armed forces currently operate the BMPT Terminator. They purchased 4-10 of them, on iirc T-90S chassis, back in 2010, with deliveries completed in 2011. It's unclear whether additional purchases are planned, but it seems quite likely. This is the first actual purchase for these vehicles. Different sources name different numbers. 3 of them were demonstrated at a parade in Astana.
bmpd -
Kazakhstan also purchased the TOS-1, heavy flamethrower/MLRS. It's a short range MLRS that uses thermobaric warheads to incinerate a large area. So far it's been almost exclusively used by the Russian NBC forces flamethrower btlns. This will be it's first export contract. The numbers purchased are unclear, but 3 were shown at the same parade. Possibly a total of 10 were delivered.
Kazakhstan also purchased the BTR-82A. This is a BTR-80 derivative that features slightly improved protection, and a new combat module with a stabilizer. This is also the first export contract for the type. In fact Kazakhstan ordered them immediately after they passed state trials in the Russian Army. They took delivery of 30 of them in 2011, and have signed a contract for 90 more this year, with 70 to be delivered before year end, and 20 more next year. Reportedly an additional 3-year contract is in the works. However Kazakhstan has also ordered a small trial party of BTR-4 APCs from Ukraine. The fate of the larger 3-year deal may rest on competitive trials.
bmpd -
Kazakhstan also purchased a number of BPM-97 Vystrel/Dozor (different publications name them differently) APCs. These are light APCs with typically no built-in combat modules, instead featuring a top hatch allowing for the standard assortment of crew-served weapon mounts. However after receiving the first batch of iirc 17 units, Kazakhstan was thoroughly dissatisfied with their performance, and chose not to purchase additional units. Interestingly enough the Russian military submitted a request that a reworked version of the Vystrel be prepared, because they too were dissatisfied with the results of experimental exploitation. However, despite this, the Russian military continued to acquire the original BPM-97 in considerable quantities. Currently they've been sighted in guard units in the Strategic Rocket Forces, at several Russian units in the North Caucus, and even in an NBC brigade (presumably being tested as a BRDM-2 replacement).
It seems that Kazakhstan is mirroring Russian Army procurement patterns a lot closer then almost any other country. And they have reaped certain rewards. For example they received 10 btlns of S-300 systems for free, from Russian PVO surplus. Not only is this one of the largest S-300 exports ever, but it was a gift. At the same time Kazakhstan has been reaching out to other countries for military technical cooperation and equipment purchases. Quite notably it's been working together with Israel on a new self-propelled artillery piece, and has purchase HMMVW armored vehicles from iirc the US. Given that they are possibly Russia's closest ally in the ex-USSR, if not the world, and given that any large conflict in Central Asia will affect them, it will be very interesting to see how they continue to modernize their armed forces.
