Upon the arrival of the Head of State to the 40th military base Otar, Major-General Murat Bektanov, the Commander of the Parade and the Commander-in-Chief of the Land Forces of the Armed Forces of Kazakhstan reported on the readiness for the military parade and the delivery of combat banners to the units of territorial troops.
Addressing veterans, soldiers and officers, Nursultan Nazarbayev stressed that the Armed Forces are the main guarantor of security, an unshakable stronghold of sovereignty and peaceful rest of our Motherland.
- Kazakhstani servicemen are worthy successors to the traditions of military prowess and glory of our fathers and grandfathers who defeated fascism in the most brutal war of all epochs and times. We will always remember their selfless heroism and immortal feat in the name of life and prosperity on their native land, the President of Kazakhstan said.
Nursultan Nazarbayev has stated that our country pursues a consistent and peaceful policy. At the same time, Kazakhstan’s Army reliably stands guard over independence, successfully promotes collective security within the CSTO and performs worthy peacekeeping functions under the auspices of the UN.
Noting the great attention and maximum support that the government provides to strengthening the Army's potential, the President of Kazakhstan indicated that our country has a goal - to create a modern, mobile and highly professional army by 2030.
- In order to get that done, from 2020, the necessary funds will be allocated for defence. To respond effectively to new threats and security challenges, highly mobile Special Operations Forces and Territorial Forces have been created and integrated into the defence system. I am confident that the new parts deserve to bear the military banners handed to them today, the Head of State concluded.
After the ceremony of awarding the combat banners of the territorial defence brigades to the akims of the regions, Astana and Almaty cities, ceremonial squads of servicemen of the Special Operations Forces, the State Guard Service, the National Guard, the special task force of the Navy, and territorial troops marched in review.
During the execution of tactical episodes on the destruction of the conventional base of illegal armed formations, the capabilities of the missile and artillery weapons were demonstrated: the Tochka-U tactical missile systems, Grad rocket launcher and Prima rocket launchers, MSTA-B and D-30 howitzer, Solntsepek heavy flamethrower systems, Shturm-S anti-tank missile system, etc. Ground forces and troops of the Air Defence Forces fired real rocket launches, bombing, combat firing from all types of weapons. Aircraft and helicopters of the front and army aviation of the Air Force conducted an air battle in the sky. Zhetysu Barysy aerobatic team showed aerobatics figures.
About 3,000 servicemen took part in the military parade, 300 units of weapons and military equipment, 40 aircraft units were involved.
In conclusion, the Head of State inspected the latest samples of military equipment and weapons, and thanked all the participants in the combat parade for the demonstrated skill in conducting the battle in the field, accuracy in shooting and combat training.
- The battle parade has become a real demonstration of the level of your military skill and coherence in the field. I am confident that holding the parade will serve to further increase the professionalism and combat readiness of the Armed Forces of Kazakhstan. I congratulate you all on the Day of the Fatherland Defender and the coming Victory Day!, Nursultan Nazarbayev said.
