Defence Minister Aidos Myrzakhmetov held his first working meeting with the leadership of the ministry and set out the priorities for reforming the Armed Forces. Among the main tasks are improving the combat readiness of the troops, digitalising command and ensuring the safety of service personnel.
WHAT TASKS THE DEFENCE MINISTER SET
The meeting was devoted to implementing the Head of State's instructions on a comprehensive reset of the army. When determining the directions of reform, the ministry intends to take into account modern threats, the experience of armed conflicts and the development of military technologies.
Myrzakhmetov identified several priorities: improving combat readiness, perfecting the command system, improving the quality of training of service personnel and developing weapons and military equipment.
HOW COMBAT TRAINING WILL CHANGE
The minister instructed that approaches to training service personnel be reviewed and adapted to modern conditions of conducting combat operations. Training must be based on practical experience and analysis of modern armed conflicts.
Special attention will be paid to mastering new methods of using unmanned systems, electronic warfare, reconnaissance and communications equipment. Commanders have been instructed to ensure the cohesion of units, a high level of training of personnel and constant readiness to carry out the assigned tasks.
WHAT CHANGES WILL AFFECT ARMY COMMAND
One of the directions of reform will be the further digitalisation of command and control of troops. The minister instructed that excessive administrative procedures, reporting and meetings that have no practical value be cut back.
The resources freed up must be directed directly to improving the combat capability of units. In addition, the ministry will continue to improve logistical support, taking into account the real needs of the troops and the priorities of combat training.
WHAT WAS INSTRUCTED ON THE SAFETY OF SERVICE PERSONNEL
Myrzakhmetov also identified the need to strengthen the morale and fighting spirit of personnel. Commanders have been instructed to improve the moral and psychological climate in military collectives, improve the quality of educational work and improve the conditions of service and daily life.
A separate priority was the prevention and suppression of hazing. The minister stressed that the safety of every service member must remain one of the main requirements for the organisation of service.
"The army must develop not for the sake of reporting indicators and show events. Every process, every decision and every allocated resource must have a practical result and be aimed at improving the combat capability of the Armed Forces. Every soldier must feel safe," said Aidos Myrzakhmetov.
The meeting also considered the progress of the comprehensive inspection of the activities of the Ministry of Defence, which is being carried out on the orders of the Head of State. Heads of structural subdivisions were instructed to assist the work of the commission and provide the necessary information.
CONTEXT
Recall that on 24 September, during exercises on the coast of the Caspian Sea in the Mangystau Region, 17 service personnel were swept out to sea after a sharp deterioration in weather conditions and strengthening winds. As a result of the incident, 14 people died.
The search and rescue operation ended on the morning of 25 September after the bodies of the last two missing service personnel were found.
Five officials in the Ministry of Defence system were detained on suspicion of criminal offences related to negligent attitude to service and violation of the rules of navigation, which led to grave consequences. Among them are the chief of staff – first deputy commander-in-chief of the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces, two commanders of military units, a commander of a marine corps company and a boat commander.
On 27 September, Dauran Kosanov was released from the post of defence minister. The new minister became Aidos Myrzakhmetov, who had previously commanded the Special Operations Forces.
After that, the Head of State took personal control of issues of assistance to the victims, an objective investigation and the adoption of systemic measures aimed at preventing similar tragedies. He also instructed that a special plan for reforming the army be prepared within ten days.