Kazakh Naval Forces
| Kazakh Naval Forces | |
|---|---|
| Kazakh: Қазақстан Республикасы әскери-теңіз күштері Qazaqstan Respýblıkasy áskerı-teńiz kúshteri Russian: Военно-морские силы Казахстана | |
 Kazakh naval emblem | |
| Founded | 2 April 1993 |
| Country |  Kazakhstan |
| Branch |  Armed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan |
| Type | National naval force, green water navy |
| Role | Naval warfare and defense |
| Size | 3,000 sailors and 14 patrol boats |
| Part of | Ministry of Defense of Kazakhstan |
| Headquarters | Aktau, Mangystau Region |
| Colors | Yellow, blue, black, and white |
| Anniversaries | April 2 May 7 |
| Commanders | |
| Supreme Commander-in-chief | Kassym-Jomart Tokayev |
| Commander of the Navy | Captain 1st rank Saken Bekzhanov[1] |
| Chief of Staff | Captain 1st rank Marat Janaev |
| Deputy Commander | Captain 1st rank Yermek Baygabulov |
| Deputy Commander | Colonel Yerbol Begildayev |
| Notable commanders | Rear Adm. Ratmir Komratov |
| Insignia | |
| Naval ensign |  |
| Naval ensign of the Border Service |  |
| Naval jack of Kazakhstan |  |
The Kazakh Naval Forces (Kazakh: Қазақстан Республикасы әскери-теңіз күштері, Qazaqstan Respýblıkasy áskerı-teńiz kúshteri; Russian: Военно-морские силы Казахстана) is the naval warfare branch of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The navy mainly operates on the Caspian Sea and is currently based in the coastal city of Aktau.
The branch currently has a strength of 3,000 personnel and is mainly equipped with patrol crafts, minesweepers and research vessel.
History
Previously, the Soviet Navy's Caspian Flotilla served in the shores of the Kazakh SSR. Following the Dissolution of the Soviet Union, the fleet shrank, leaving the Kazakh contingent to serve as a basis for the newly formed navy. Kazakhstan’s Naval Forces were established in April 1993 as a naval base of the Kazakh Army. The base, which was stationed in Aktau, initially became active in service on August 17, 1996 in spite of Kazakhstan being one of the largest landlocked countries on earth.
In July 1999, the naval base became part of the Maritime units of the Border Guard Service of the National Security Committee of Kazakhstan. It became a separate military branch by presidential decree on 7 May 2003.
In February 2010, Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev, in his position as supreme commander in chief of the entire military, presented the Battle Flag to the Kazakh navy. The 612th Airbase in Aktau was opened a year later, in 2011.[2][3]
Structure
The following units form the structure of the Kazakh navy:[4]
- Naval Headquarters
- Naval Infantry
- Special Forces Troops
- Marine Brigade
- Coastal artillery
- Caspian flotilla
- Border Service of the KNB
- Aktau Naval Academy (closed in 2011)
Commanders
- Rear Admiral Ratmir Alimkhanovich Komratov (6 November 2008 – 17 July 2009)
- Vice Admiral Zhandarbek Saduevich Zhanzakov (30 September 2009 – 18 April 2018)
- Rear Admiral Saken Mansurovich Bekzhanov (18 April 2018 – present)
| Vessel | Origin | Type | In service | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kazakhstan | Kazakhstan
|
Missile boat | 4[5][6] | Kazakhstan class |
| Türk |  Turkey
|
patrol boat | 2[7] | |
| OPV-62 |  Israel
|
patrol boat | 2[7] | |
| Shaldag | Israel
|
Go-fast boat | 6[7] | Assembled in Azerbaijan |
| 10750E harbor minesweepers |  Russia
|
minesweepers | 2 | The first vessel was commissioned in 2017[8][9] |
| Project 01340G | Russia
|
Research vessel | 1 | The ship is known to be a hydrographic ship. The vessel's name is Zhaiyk[10][11] |
| Su-27 | Russia
|
fighter jets | 2 | |
| Mil Mi-24 | Russia
|
attack helicopters | 12 | [12] |
References
- ^ "Капитан 1 ранга Бекжанов Сакен Мансурович".
- ^ "Military Balance in Europe 2011".
- ^ "Основная информация | Военно-морские силы | Вооруженные силы РК | Структура | Министерство обороны Республики Казахстан (МО РК)".
- ^ "Казахстанский военный сайт - Военно-морской флот Казахстана: ВМС МО РК и БОХР ПС КНБ РК".
- ^ "Министерство обороны Республики Казахстан (МО РК)". mod.gov.kz. Retrieved 8 October 2015.
- ^ "Kazakhstan Navy Unveils Its First Ship". EurasiaNet.org. Retrieved 14 December 2014.
- ^ a b c Trade Registers. Armstrade.sipri.org. Retrieved on 29 May 2015
- ^ http://www.janes.com/article/71122/kazakh-navy-commissions-first-project-10750e-minesweeper
- ^ "Use of the Tengrinews English materials must be accompanied by a hyperlink to en.Tengrinews.kz".
- ^ Pike, John. "Kazakhstan Navy". www.globalsecurity.org.
- ^ "Kazakh naval vessels participate in 2017 Sea Cup in Azerbaijan - The Astana Times". 8 August 2017.
- ^ "Military Balance in Asia 2011"., March 07, 2011, page 55-56
