Kazakhstan Army

The Kazakhstan Ground Forces operate under the authority of the Ministry of Defence and the General Staff of the Armed Forces. The land branch is structured into four territorial commands: Regional Command Astana headquartered in Karaganda, Regional Command East headquartered in Semey, Regional Command West headquartered in Atyrau, and Regional Command South headquartered in Taraz. These territorial commands oversee mechanized, armored, and artillery brigades assigned to their respective geographic areas. Independent branch structures that work alongside the ground forces include the Air Assault Forces, the Special Operations Forces Command, the Rocket and Artillery Forces, and Territorial Troops.

Armored units operate modernized T-72 and T-72BA main battle tanks, supported by BMPT Terminator tank support combat vehicles. Mechanized infantry formations are equipped with BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicles as well as BTR-80 and BTR-82A armored personnel carriers. Specialized mobile infantry units use Arlan mine-resistant ambush protected vehicles, Alan-2 armored cars, and Cobra II wheeled tactical vehicles. Rocket and artillery units field BM-21 Grad, BM-27 Uragan, and TOS-1A heavy flamethrower multiple launch rocket systems, complemented by towed and self-propelled howitzers. Ground-based air defense units utilize S-300PS, Buk-M2E, and Tor-M2K missile systems to shield land formations. Infantry formations are issued AK-74 and AK-105 assault rifles, with specialized units utilizing Beretta ARX160 rifles.

The primary mission of the ground forces is defending national sovereignty, protecting border sectors, and guarding critical state infrastructure. Prior operational history includes border security operations during the Tajikistani Civil War and non-combat engineering support during post-conflict operations in Iraq. In international operations, Kazakh forces deploy independent national contingents and individual staff officers to United Nations missions. A dedicated force reserve company operates in the Golan Heights under the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force, conducting patrols, medical evacuations, and explosive ordnance disposal using organic Arlan armored vehicles. Kazakh personnel also maintain regular rotations within the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, operating in coordination with partner contingents, as well as serving as military observers in South Sudan, Western Sahara, and the Central African Republic.

Modernization efforts focus on expanding domestic manufacturing and integrating unmanned platforms. Domestic defense producer Kazakhstan Paramount Engineering manufactures Arlan mine-resistant ambush protected vehicles, Alan-2 special forces vehicles, and Barys multi-role armored combat platforms, alongside indigenous combat turrets and small-arms ammunition. Foreign procurement programs have introduced Turkish Cobra II armored vehicles and ANKA tactical unmanned aerial vehicles, supported by localized assembly initiatives. The ground forces are also integrating SUNQAR tactical unmanned systems and EVOMax mini-drones into reconnaissance units to enhance real-time battlefield surveillance and target acquisition.