The FBRK editorial team continues to analyse the most expensive state procurements of Kazakh ministries in 2024.
We have already examined the state procurements of the Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Ecology, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Energy, Ministry of Digital Development, Ministry of National Economy and the Ministry of Tourism and Sport. It is time to look at the procurements of the Ministry of Emergency Situations (MES).
In 2024, the MES invested significant funds in updating its technical equipment.
For example, the department's key acquisition was four aircraft with a total cost of 34.2 billion tenge, capable of carrying up to 19 passengers or 2,300 kg of cargo over a distance of up to 2,570 km.
Last year, special attention was paid to the development of the diving service. The MES invested more than 1 billion tenge in specialised equipment, including seven sets of hose gear, 80 breathing apparatuses and 15 modern echo sounders with an impressive depth measurement range of up to 200 metres.
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For reference: Echo sounders are devices that use sound waves to detect and determine the distance to objects. They work on the principle of sound (echo) reflection.
Ground rescue operations also received a significant technical boost. Four fire engines with 30-metre aerial ladders worth 1.57 billion tenge were added to the special equipment fleet.
It is interesting to note the likely reduction in the helicopter procurement programme. Last year, the department purchased four helicopters with a total cost of 355.5 million tenge. At the same time, according to the contract, the initial purchase plan envisaged the acquisition of 24 helicopters worth 1.06 billion.
The introduction of innovative technologies is also noteworthy: the ministry purchased four robotic firefighting platforms for the sum of 380 million tenge, which will be used in particularly dangerous and hard-to-reach places. To ensure operational readiness, 3.5 billion tenge has been allocated for aviation support of rescue operations.
The analysis of the most expensive procurements shows the MES's strategic approach to modernisation: the focus on aviation and diving equipment indicates the priority of developing air-rescue operations and work on water bodies.
The large-scale update of the MES's technical equipment is particularly relevant ahead of the spring season. With the flood season approaching, one can hope that the department, armed with new equipment, will be better prepared for possible natural challenges.
Let us recall that in early March of last year, the FBRK editorial team published a feature on the readiness of the regions for floods. By the end of the month, the media was already full of news about the flooded yards of cities and villages across Kazakhstan.