Armed Forces of the Kyrgyz Republic

The Armed Forces of the Kyrgyz Republic[4] (Kyrgyz: Кыргыз Республикасынын Куралдуу Күчтөрү; Kırgız Respublikasının Kuralduu Küçtörü) is the national military of Kyrgyzstan. It was originally formed from the former Soviet forces of the Turkestan Military District stationed in newly independent Kyrgyzstan. It consists of the Ground Forces, the Air Force and the National Guard. Affiliated security forces to the armed forces included the Internal Troops, the State Committee for National Security and the Border Troops.

Armed Forces of the Kyrgyz Republic
Кыргыз Республикасынын Куралдуу Күчтөрү
Kırgız Respublikasının Kuralduu Küçtörü
Seal of the Kyrgyz Armed Forces
Ensign of Kyrgyz Armed Forces
MottoМилдет, Намыс, Ата-Мекен
Mildet, Namys, Ata-Meken
(Duty, Honor, and Fatherland)
FoundedMay 29, 1992[1]
Service branchesService branches
 ∟ Ground Forces
 ∟ Air Force
 ∟ National Guard
Independent formations
 ∟ Frontier Force
 ∟ Internal Troops
HeadquartersMinistry of Defence, Bishkek
Websitemil.gov.kg
Leadership
Commander in Chief Sadyr Japarov
Minister of Defense Major General Baktybek Bekbolotov
Chief of the General Staff Major General Erlis Terdikbayev
Personnel
Military age18
Conscription12 months (high school graduates)
9 months (university graduates)
Available for
military service		3,351,670 (2020 est.), age 15–49
Fit for
military service		3,471,900 (2020 est.), age 15–49
Reaching military
age annually		900,000 (2022 est.)
Active personnel23,000 (2022 est.)
Reserve personnel300,000 (2022 est.)
Expenditures
Budget$600,000,000 (2022 est) [2]
Industry
Foreign suppliers Russia[3]
 China
 Kazakhstan
 Uzbekistan
 United States
 Pakistan
 India
 United Kingdom
 Turkey
Related articles
History
Kyrgyz peacekeeping forces participated:
RanksMilitary ranks of Kyrgyzstan

History

Early years

The Armed Forces were formed on 29 May 1992 when President of the Kyrgyz SSR Askar Akayev signed a decree which effectively consolidated all the formations and units of the Soviet Army deployed in the territory of the new republic under the jurisdiction of Bishkek and not Moscow.[5] Until 1988, these troops were part of the Central Asian Military District. 29 May is today celebrated as the Day of the Armed Forces.[6] In 1993, the State Defense Committee was renamed to the Ministry of Defense on the basis of the headquarters of the 17th Army Corps. In 1998, the 1st Koy Tash, 2nd Osh, and 3rd Balykchinsk Infantry Brigades were created on the basis of the 8th Guards Motor Rifle Division. In August 1999, the Batken Conflict occurred in southwestern Kyrgyzstan, during which militants of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU) made incursions of into Uzbek and Kyrgyz territory from their camps in Tajikistan.

21st century

In 2006, the Air Force and Air Defense Forces were combined to form the Kyrgyz Air Force. The same year, the term of service was reduced from 18 to 12 months (1 year). In February 2014, the Armed Forces General Staff was expanded to have complete control over the military apparatus, with the ministry of defense becoming a state defense committee which plays a smaller and more administrative role.[7] Despite this arrangement, many former military/security officials such as Taalaibek Omuraliev and Adyl Kurbanov were in favor of returning the military to its former organization.[8]

Following the inauguration of President Sadyr Japarov in early February 2021, the Ministry of Defense was reestablished following a 7 year hiatus.[9] After signing the new Constitution of Kyrgyzstan in May 2021, President Japarov called for reform in the military, particularly the need to "organize the army according to the principle of special units, fully trained and technologically equipped to conduct military operations in mountainous conditions." He also at the same time called for the creation of "people’s guards", which according to him, will provide mobilization readiness amongst the population living in border areas.[10]

Military units

Armed Forces of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan
  • Сарбаздар Катары / Sarbazdar Katary (Russian: Zveno) — 4 units
  • Аскер Бөлүгү / Asker Bölügü (Russian: Отделение/Otdeleniye) — 8 units
  • Взвод / Vzvod — 32 units
  • Ширкет / Shirket (Russian: Рота/Rota) — 96 units
  • Табур, Батальон / Tabur, Batalion (Russian: Батальон/Batalion) — 540 units
  • Полк / Polk — 2700 units
  • Тугай, Бригада / Tugaý, Brigada — 5400 units
  • Бөлүм, Дивизия / Bölüm, Diviziya — 10.000+ units
  • Колоор, Корпус / Koloor, Korpus — 30.000+ units

Special forces units list

National Guard of Kyrgyzstan
Main article: National Guard (Kyrgyzstan)

National Guardee of Kyrgyz Republic/NGKR
Кыргыз Республикасынын Улуттук Уланы/КРУУ

  • BKT/BARS, Commandant's Brigade «BARS», Kyrgyz: «БАРС» комендант тугайы, БКТ
  • ÉTAT/EDELWEISS, Mountain Rifle Brigade "Edelweiss", Kyrgyz: «Эдельвейс» тоо-аткыч тугайы, ЭТАТ
  • PANTHER, Special Forces Brigade "Panther", Kyrgyz: «Пантера» Өзгөчө Багыттагы Тугайы ПӨБТ
  • Guard of Honor Company, Kyrgyz: Ардак Кароолунун Ширкети АКШ
  • MANAS, Detachment "Manas", Kyrgyz: "МАНАС" жасагы
  • «GÜRZA» reconnaissance company, Kyrgyz: "ГҮРЗА" Барлоо Ширкети ГБШ

Army
Main article: Kyrgyz Army

For much of the Soviet period, since 1967, the 8th Guards 'Panfilov' Motor Rifle Division was the main military force in the country. In 1967 the division had been moved to Bishkek from the Baltic Military District, where it had previously been based. It was only disbanded in January 2003.[11] However, in 2011 reports said the division had been reformed with its headquarters in Tokmak. The Army of Kyrgyzstan includes the 1st Motor Rifle Brigade (Mountain) at Osh, a brigade at Koy-Tash, in the Bishkek area, the 25th Special Forces Brigade, independent battalions at Karakol and Naryn, a brigade at Balykchi, and other units. Two Groups of Forces, the Southern, and more recently the Northern, have been active during Kyrgyzstan's history. In 2004, the Northern Group of Forces was reported as consisting of the Balykchynsky brigade, the brigade deployed in suburb of Bishkek, separate battalions in Karakol and Naryn, and other army units.[12]

The Army controls the Combat Training Center and Training Center "Ala-Too".

Air Force
Main article: Kyrgyz Air Force

Kyrgyzstan's air arm was inherited from the central Soviet air force training school. This presented the nation a fleet of nearly 70 L-39s, dismantled MiG-21's and several Mi-8's and Mi-24's. However, only a few L-39s and the helicopters are capable of flight. All Kyrgyz military aircraft are reportedly based at Kant, alongside the Russian 999th Air Base.[13] Because of expense and military doctrine, Kyrgyzstan has not developed its air capability; a large number of the MiG-21 interceptors that it borrowed from Russia were returned in 1993, although a number of former Soviet air bases remain available. In 1996 about 100 decommissioned MiG-21s remained in Kyrgyzstan, as of 2017 only 29 MiG-21s are in working order, in service along with ninety-six L-39 trainers and sixty-five helicopters. The air defense forces have received aid from Russia, which has sent military advisory units to establish a defense system. The Russians also help patrol Kyrgyz airspace as part of the Joint CIS Air Defence System. Presently Kyrgyzstan has twenty-six SA-2 and SA-3 surface-to-air missiles in its air defense arsenal. In 2002 the Kyrgyzstan government allowed the United States to use Manas air base for support operations in the War on terror. This agreement lasted until June 2014.[14][15]

National Guard

The National Guard of Kyrgyzstan was founded on December 6, 1991 and took their first oath July 20 the following year.[16][17] In 2014, the Internal Troops were absorbed into the National Guard as a result of the ongoing military reforms. This would remain this way until September 2018 when they were separated once again.[18]

Equipment
Military equipment of the Armed Forces of the Kyrgyz Republic
Name Image Origin In service Notes
Tanks
T-72 "Ural" Early  Soviet Union N/A [19]
T-72 "Ural" Late N/A [19]
T-72A N/A [19]
Armoured fighting vehicles
BRDM-2  Soviet Union N/A [19]
BRDM-2MS  Russia N/A [19]
MT-LB  Soviet Union
 Kyrgyzstan		 N/A (Some with ZU-23 AA Guns).[19]
Infantry fighting vehicles
BMP-1  Soviet Union N/A [19]
BMP-1(P) N/A [19]
BMP-1D N/A [19]
BMP-2 Obr. 1984 N/A [19]
BMP-2D N/A [19]
BMD-1 N/A [19]
Armoured personnel carriers
BTR-70  Soviet Union N/A [19]
BTR-70M  Russia N/A [19]
BTR-80  Soviet Union N/A [19]
Infantry mobility vehicles
GAZ Tigr-M  Russia N/A [19]
CS/VN3 Dajiang  China N/A [19]
Tiger N/A [19]
EQ2050F N/A [19]
Technicals
Toyota Land Cruiser  United Arab Emirates N/A [19]
Ford Ranger  United States N/A [19]
Towed artillery
100mm BS-3  Soviet Union N/A (Used for avalanche control).[19]
100mm KS-19 N/A (Used for avalanche control).[19]
122mm D-30 N/A [19]
152mm 2A65 Msta-B N/A [19]
Self-propelled artillery
120mm 2S9 Nona  Soviet Union N/A [19]
122mm 2S1 Gvozdika N/A [19]
Multiple rocket launchers
122mm BM-21 Grad  Soviet Union N/A [19]
122mm 9P138 Grad-1 N/A [19]
Towed anti-aircraft guns
23mm ZU-23  Soviet Union N/A [19]
Self-propelled anti-aircraft guns
ZSU-23-4 'Shilka'  Soviet Union N/A [19]
Static surface-to-air missile systems
S-75  Soviet Union N/A (One site protecting the capital Bishkek).[19]
S-125 N/A (Two sites protecting the capital Bishkek).[19]
Self-propelled surface-to-air missile systems
9K35 Strela-10  Soviet Union N/A [19]
Radars
P-15 'Flat Face A'  Soviet Union N/A [19]
P-18 'Spoon Rest D' N/A [19]
Smart Hunter  China N/A (For use in conjunction with MANPADS).[19]
SNR-75 'Fan Song'  Soviet Union N/A (For S-75).[19]
SNR-125 'Low Blow' N/A (For S-125).[19]
Reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicles
Orlan-10E  Russia N/A (Not yet seen).[19]
WJ-100  China N/A [19]
Unmanned combat aerial vehicles
Bayraktar Akıncı  Turkey N/A [20]
Bayraktar TB2 N/A (Armed with four MAM-C or MAM-L PGMs).[19]
TAI Aksungur 2 [21]
Saara-02  Kyrgyzstan N/A (Armed with two Bask-80 PGMs).[19]

Foreign military presence and international cooperation

In terms of foreign presence, the U.S.-led Operation Enduring Freedom coalition used the Manas Air Base (Bishkek's international airport) until June 2014. In response, Russia set up the 999th Air Base at Kant to counter the American military presence in the former Soviet state. Moscow is believed to have promised Bishkek $1.1 billion for modernizing its army. Agreements to this effect were reached during the visits to Bishkek by Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov in August and President Vladimir Putin in September 2012.[22] As of October 2023, Russia supplies various military equipment and also begins to form a joint air defense system.[23][24] Since May 1992, Kyrgyzstan has been a member of the Collective Security Treaty Organization. In addition, its leaders work within the framework of the Council of Ministers of Defense of the CIS. Kyrgyzstan hosted the Second CIS Military Sports Games in 2017 in Balykchy. The games included various competition in shooting, fighting, etc.[25] On 16 July 2018, the opening of the Kyrgyz-Indian Mountain Training Center took place in Balykchy at the Edelweiss Training Center, built with funds allocated by the Government of India.[26][27]

The personnel of the armed forces also take part in UN peacekeeping missions. Currently, Kyrgyz forces are serving in Sierra Leone, Liberia, Sudan, East Timor, Ethiopia and Kosovo.[28]

Personnel

Military education
Military guard of honor near a monument in Bishkek's main square

The main military educational institutions include:

Kyrgyzstan has an agreement with the Russian Federation, according to which Kyrgyz soldiers are trained in military academies in Russia. The training of officers is carried out in the military educational institutions of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Republic of Turkey and the People's Republic of China.

Training centers

The Center for Advanced Training of Officers and NCOs of the Defense Ministry was opened in early 2007. It was designed to offer one month professional training courses. In 2005, the NCO Training School of the Combined Arms Training Center of the Armed Forces was opened at the base of the 2nd Independent Motorized Rifle Brigade.[29] In 2013, the border guard opened classes at more than 100 secondary schools.[30] The Edelweiss Training Center operates in the Issyk-Kul Region.

High schools

The Kyrgyz State National Military Lyceum and MVD High School are secondary schools that trains middle-tier commanders in the armed forces.

Kyrgyz State Medical Academy Faculty
Cadets of the institute during a victory day parade in central Moscow in 2020.

The Military Faculty of Kyrgyz State Medical Academy was created in the beginning of the Second World War, specifically in October 1941 when there was a shortage of medical personnel in the medical service. Originally it was the Sanitary Department of Defence, and in 1942 it was renamed to the Department of Military and Health Training, and has since 1944 been known as the Department of Military Medical Training. It currently engages in the military training of students of medical, pediatric, dental, sanitary and pharmaceutical departments of the armed forces.[31]

Conscription

Kyrgyz Armed Forces have inherited conscription from the Armed Forces of USSR. The length of conscription was reduced to 12 months from initial 18 in 2006. Today, Kyrgyz Armed Forces employ a policy of reducing the service period for university graduates to 9 months.[32] Alternative service exists, however, it is only offered to conscripts who belong to certain religious groups.[33]

Affiliated security forces

References
  1. "As it turns out, May 29th marks the anniversary of the creation of the Kyrgyz Military". 2014-05-29.
  2. "Садыр Жапаров: Если из-за "дедовщины" у солдата пойдет кровь, командиры, предупреждаю, вас посадят". ИА АКИpress (in Russian). 2022-11-26. Archived from the original on 2022-11-26. Retrieved 2022-11-26.
  3. "Peace Research Institute". Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. 2017. Retrieved 30 November 2017.
  4. Kyrgyz: Кыргыз Республикасынын Куpaлдуу Kүчтөpү, Kırgız Respublikasının Kuralduu Küçtörü
  5. Вооруженные силы — Государство — О Киргизии — Добро пожаловать в Киргизию!
  6. AnydayGuide. "Armed Forces Day in Kyrgyzstan / May 29, 2017". AnydayGuide. Retrieved 2017-09-14.
  7. "В Кыргызстане создан Генеральный штаб вооруженных сил". www.vesti.kg. 2014-02-04. Retrieved 2019-05-22.
  8. "Реформа Вооруженных сил Кыргызстана. Сплошные парадоксы". 2018-09-28.
  9. "Президент Киргизии решил вновь создать в республике минобороны". tass.ru.
  10. PODOLSKAYA, Darya (2021-05-05). "President's message: Armed Forces of Kyrgyzstan to be reformed". 24.kg. Retrieved 2021-05-06.
  11. "Force _sng". Archived from the original on 2007-12-15. Retrieved 2007-01-29. - accessed Aug 2007 and Jan 2008
  12. Vad777, accessed July 2008, reporting http://www.sk.kg/2004/n19/7.html - 2004, a dead link
  13. "World Air Forces 2000 pg. 73". flightglobal.com. Retrieved 4 May 2015.
  14. "World Air Forces 2004 pg. 70". flightglobal.com. Retrieved 4 May 2015.
  15. Joshua Kucera. "U.S. Formally Closes Its Kyrgyzstan Air Base". Eurasianet. Retrieved 17 June 2014.
  16. "Kyrgyzstan gets national guard, Soviet troops selling uniforms". UPI. Retrieved 2017-09-13.
  17. "calendr.net/holiday/1099". calendr.net. Retrieved 2018-09-26.
  18. "Внутренние войска будут выведены из состава Нацгвардии КР".
  19. Oryx. "Central Asian Armour: Kyrgyzstan's Inventory of AFVs". Oryx. Retrieved 2023-03-31.
  20. "LYNKEUS'un Son Atışlı Testi Güney Kıbrıs'ta Gerçekleştirildi" (in Turkish). 2022-10-12. Retrieved 2023-03-31.
  21. "TUSAŞ hangi ülkelere kaç adet hava aracı teslim etti?" (in Turkish). 2023-05-24. Retrieved 2023-06-13.
  22. "Russia Gives $1.5 bln to Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan for Military Expenditure". The Gazette of Central Asia. Satrapia. 19 November 2012.
  23. https://armstrade.org/includes/periodics/news/2023/1013/140575821/detail.shtml
  24. https://armstrade.org/includes/periodics/news/2023/1012/155575802/detail.shtml
  25. "Second Military Sports Games of CIS kick off in Kyrgyzstan". news.xinhuanet.com. Archived from the original on July 29, 2017.
  26. "На Иссык-Куле открылся кыргызско-индийский центр боевой подготовки - Новости Кыргызстана". www.for.kg. Retrieved 2021-01-30.
  27. Экономика; Политика; Общество; Президент; Парламент; Правительство; Аналитика; Covid-19; Выборы 2020. "В Балыкчы на военном полигоне "Эдельвейс" открылся кыргызско-индийский учебный центр". Информационное Агентство Кабар (in Russian). Retrieved 2021-01-30.
  28. "Военное сотрудничество по линии ООН". Archived from the original on 2012-01-01. Retrieved 2012-03-04.
  29. Nuria, Kutnaeva (2007). "Armed Forces and military reform in Kyrgyzstan". Central Asia and the Caucasus. 5 (47): 116–127.
  30. "Райымберди Дуйшембиев, начальник Генерального штаба Вооруженных сил КР, генерал-майор: "В кыргызскую армию приходит больше парней с высшим образованием" » Интервью » Gezitter.org - Чтобы понимали..."
  31. "Almanac: Kyrgyzstan, Republic of • Military Medicine Worldwide". military-medicine.com. Retrieved 2020-05-24.
  32. https://www.wri-irg.org/en/programmes/world_survey/country_report/de/Kyrgyzstan#sdfootnote1anc 1. Conscription
  33. https://www.wri-irg.org/en/programmes/world_survey/country_report/de/Kyrgyzstan#sdfootnote1anc 2. Conscientious objection

General references

Further reading
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