Kazakh Air Defense Forces

The Kazakh Air Defense Forces (Әуе қорғаныс күштері, Силы воздушной обороны) is the aviation warfare branch of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Their tasks includes the ensurance of the protection of the airspace of the republic as well as the fulfillment of combat missions for air support of other branches of the armed forces. The official holiday of the air forces is Aviation Day on August 18.

The general composition of the Air and Air Defence Force is as follows:


 * Military Aviation
 * Air Defence Forces
 * Center for Parachute Training
 * Air Traffic Control Center

Today the Air and Air Defence Force has four jet bases:


 * 600th Guards Air Base (Zhetigen, Nikolayevka, Almaty)
 * 602nd Air Base (Chimkent)
 * 604th Air Base (Taldykorgan Airport)
 * 610th Air Base (Sary-Arka Airport, Karaganda)

The Talgat Bigeldinov Military Institute of the Air Defence Forces serves as the only educational service of the air force, having trained cadets from foreign countries including Hungary, Kyrgyzstan and Afghanistan.

Soviet era
In the first formation of the Central Asian Military District, it operated a Soviet Air Force district branch led by Major General M.P. Kharitonov. It operated in the early to mid-40s during the Second World War, and consisted of air brigades based on the territory of the Kazakh SSR. The 73rd Air Army provided all air support for the district, being known as the Air Forces of the Central Asian Military District from 1980 to 1988. Air defence was also provided the 12th and 14th Air Defence Armies. The 57th Separate Airborne Brigade based in Aktogay. was the only unit of the Soviet airborne based in Kazakhstan.

Post-independence
At the time of the declaration of the independence of Kazakhstan and the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the 24th Fighter-Bomber Aviation Division as well as three other separate air regiments were stationed in the country. By late 1993 the small Kazakh Air Force consisted of a six regiments as well as an air defence fighter regiment.

It included the following units:


 * 11th Division
 * 129th Fighter-Bomber Regiment (Taldy Kurgan)
 * 134th Fighter-Bomber Regiment (Zhangiztobe)
 * 149th Bomber Regiment (Zhetigen/Nikolayevka)
 * 715th Fighter Regiment (Lugovaya)
 * 39th Reconnaissance Regiment (Balkhash Airport
 * 486th Helicopter Regiment (Ucharal)
 * 356th Fighter Aviation Regiment (Semipalatinsk), led notably by Major General Aliy Petrovich Volkov

Modern era
By decree of President Nursultan Nazarbayev on 17 November 1997 "On Further Measures for Reforming the Armed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan" and the directive of Minister of Defense Sagadat Nurmagambetov on 1 April 1998, the Air Defense Forces of the Armed Forces were formed, with ita first day of operation being on 1 June 1998. By order of the Commander-in-Chief of the Air Defense Forces on 17 April 2008, the professional holida is Aviation Day on August 18.

In November 2007, Kazakhstan signed an agreement with the Belarusian to modernize 10 Russian made Su-27 fighter plane at an aircraft repair plant in Baranavichy designated for the Air Defence Forces. On 28 October 2010, the framework for Eurocopter's creation of a 50/50 joint venture with Kazakhstan Engineering was established, which saw a sale of 45 of these locally assembled aircraft for government missions in the country. In November 2011, Eurocopter delivered the first of six EC145s ordered to date by the Kazakh Ministries of Defence and Emergencies. In early January 2012, Airbus Military signed a firm contract with the state-owned Kazspetsexport defence company, to supplying two EADS CASA C-295 military transport aircraft and signed a Memorandum of Understanding for another six aircraft, which were to be delivered over the course of the following year. In 2008, EADS made titanium sourcing agreements with Kazakh suppliers. In May 2012, Kazakhstan announced its intent to acquire 20 Eurocopter EC725 helicopters that were to be assembled in Astana by officials from Kazakhstan Engineering and fitted by the Turkish firm Aselsan.