QAZ.ARMY

Kazakhstan and the world

Kazakhstan’s military sphere: history, education and peacekeeping

A public guide to the legal framework, historical milestones, military education, museums and Kazakhstan’s participation in peacekeeping missions.

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The Armed Forces and other formations

The Constitution and the Law on Defence and the Armed Forces set the legal framework for defence. The law distinguishes the Armed Forces from other troops and military formations. The National Guard belongs to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, while the Border Service belongs to the National Security Committee; their official resources and remits differ.

The Military Doctrine is a separate official document setting out the state’s views on military security and defence. It does not replace legislation and does not support conclusions about the forces’ current condition.

Current Constitution of Kazakhstan · Law on Defence and the Armed Forces · National Guard · Border Service · Military Doctrine

Public historical sources separately identify the Land Forces, Air Defence Forces and Navy. The Law on Territorial Defence sets a distinct legal framework for protecting the population and territory during the periods specified by law. These definitions do not describe current units or plans.

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Peacekeeping: law, missions and training

The 2015 law establishes Kazakhstan’s legal framework for peacekeeping activity. In 2000, the Government approved regulations for the Kazakh peacekeeping battalion. In August 2003, the first Kazbat engineering and sapper detachment arrived in Iraq; the official history also notes that it provided local residents with drinking water and medical assistance. In 2014, a Kazakh service member was first sent as a UN military observer to Western Sahara; in 2018, Kazakhstan’s first company deployed to Lebanon as part of UNIFIL.

In 2024, the UN issued Kazakhstan a mandate to deploy a contingent independently in the UNDOF mission. The Ministry of Defence describes peacekeeper training, including international humanitarian law and language preparation. These are historical facts; they do not state the current composition or posting of personnel.

Law on Peacekeeping Activity · History of peacekeeping missions · Notice on the UNDOF mandate · UN public data on contributors

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Military education

The Ministry of Defence list on the date checked includes nine institutions:

  • National Defense University – Astana.
  • Sagadat Nurmagambetov Military Institute of the Land Forces – Almaty.
  • Talgat Begeldinov Military Institute of the Air Defence Forces – Aktobe.
  • Military Engineering Institute of Radioelectronics and Communications – Almaty.
  • Shokan Ualikhanov Military College – Shchuchinsk.
  • Sagadat Nurmagambetov Military College – Astana.
  • Bauyrzhan Momyshuly Military College – Almaty.
  • Sabyr Rakhimov Military College – Shymkent.
  • Talgat Begeldinov Military College – Karaganda.

This is an institution list, not an admissions notice. Age limits, documents, dates and conditions can change; check the notice for the relevant admissions cycle.

Ministry of Defence: military education and science

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Chronology: from independence to current legal acts

  • 1991: A constitutional law proclaimed Kazakhstan’s state independence.
  • 7 May 1992: A presidential decree created the Armed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
  • 1993: A Law on Defence and the Armed Forces was adopted; the Land Forces (21 April) and the Navy (2 April) were established. The 1993 law was later repealed and replaced by the 2005 law.
  • 1995: A Constitution was adopted by referendum; it remained in force until 1 July 2026.
  • 1997–1998: A presidential decree and a defence minister’s directive related to creating the Air Defence Forces preceded the Armed Forces reforms.
  • 2000: Mobile Forces were established; they later became the Airmobile Forces and, in 2017, the Air Assault Forces. That year, the Government also approved regulations for the Kazakh peacekeeping battalion.
  • 2003: The Kazbat peacekeeping detachment arrived in Iraq.
  • 2015: The Law on Peacekeeping Activity was adopted.
  • 2022: The Armed Forces marked 30 years since their creation; the Special Operations Forces Command was established on 19 January.
  • 2025: A separate Law on Territorial Defence was adopted.
  • 15 March 2026: A new Constitution was adopted by referendum and entered into force on 1 July 2026.

State Independence Act · Decree creating the Armed Forces · Law on Territorial Defence

1993 law (historical) · 1995 Constitution (no longer in force)

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Museums and military memory

A Ministry of Defence publication lists three institutions within the National Military-Patriotic Centre: the Military History Museum in Astana, the Museum of Military Glory in Almaty and a branch of the Military History Museum in the village of Rodina, Akmola Region. Their exhibits preserve documents, photographs, awards and other materials related to military history.

The publication also mentions an open-air museum display of 20th-century military equipment.

This is a reference list, not visitor hours. Before travelling, confirm opening times and access with the museum or its official institution.

Ministry of Defence: military history museums · Museum branch in Rodina

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