On 4 March 2009, Kazakhstan signed an agreement with Russia to purchase 10 batteries of S-300PS (NATO designation SA-10C) air defense missile systems, with deliveries to take place from 2009 to 2011.[1] Kazakhstan's Air Defense Commander Aleksandr Sorokin told the media that 10 batteries would not satisfy the country's air defense needs but denied reports that Kazakhstan intends to purchase the more advanced S-400 systems in the near future.[2],[3]

ICBM Force and Silo Dismantlement

The ICBM force deployed in Kazakhstan consisted of 104 SS-18 ICBMs tipped with 1,040 warheads, deployed at two missile bases: Zhangiz-Tobe (also known as Solnechnyy), Semipalatinsk Oblast; and Derzhavinsk, Turgay Oblast. A total of 148 silos and other structures, including 104 SS-18 launch silos, 16 launch control centers, two SS-18 training silos, and 26 other silo structures, were located at four sites: Zhangiz-Tobe missile base; Derzhavinsk missile base; Leninsk test range, Kzyl-Orda Oblast; and Balapan test range, Semipalatinsk Test Site. By 25 April 1995, all 1,040 nuclear warheads associated with SS-18 ICBMs were transferred to Russia. All 104 SS-18 ICBMs were removed to Russia for dismantlement by 5 September 1996.

Destruction and dismantlement of all 148 missile silos and silo structures was carried out in a two-phase program, ending on 30 September 1999. In Phase I, the United States awarded contracts through the Cooperative Threat Reduction (CTR) program to two Kazakhstani firms to remove silo equipment deemed valuable to the government of Kazakhstan. Russian strategic missile forces then destroyed silo headworks from April 1994 to August 1996 under an agreement between the governments of Kazakhstan and Russia. In Phase II, from July 1996 to September 1999, U.S. Department of Defense contractors helped the Kazakhstani side with clean-up and final dismantlement of the destroyed silos.

Heavy Bombers/ALCM Force

A squadron of 40 TU-95 heavy bombers equipped with Kh-55 [NATO Designation AS-15A 'Kent'] ALCMs, tipped with 370 warheads, was stationed at Shagan Aerodrome, Semipalatinsk Test Site. Russia removed the 40 Tu-95 bombers and ALCMs from Shagan Aerodrome in February 1994. All 370 warheads associated with Tu-95 bombers were removed by 25 April 1995. Seven obsolete 1955-vintage bombers left behind by Russia were dismantled by August 1997 under the CTR program.

Kazakhstan's Space Program

Astana has been closely cooperating with Moscow in development of its space sector. Kazakhstan has agreed to continue leasing launch facilities at the Baikonur Cosmodrome to Russia until 2050 for $115 million a year.[4] Meanwhile, Russia has involved Kazakh scientists in design and construction projects and trained Kazakh astronauts for participation in the International Space Station. In June 2006, Kazakhstan launched its first satellite, KazSat in an official ceremony with Russia's President Vladimir Putin and Kazakhstan's President Nursultan Nazarbayev present. The KazSat, built by Russia's Khrunichev Institute was launched on a Russian Proton booster rocket.[5] On 8 June 2008, however, KazSat stopped broadcasting due to a malfunction of the on-board digital computing system.[6] Initial attempts to restore the work of the satellite had failed, and new attempts are planned after KazSat leaves the dark portion of the orbit (Earth's shadow) on 15 October 2008. It is so far unclear if the satellite will ever function again.[7] The production of the second KazSat satellite is in progress.

Kazakhstan's President Nursultan Nazarbayev has recently announced ambitious plans to develop Kazakhstan's space industry. According to a December 2007 Kazakhstan government press release, the plans include two key mid-term objectives, "the inauguration by 2012 of the Baiterek Space Complex whose construction is due to start in 2008 and the launch of the environment-friendly Angara boosters which use non toxic propellants."[8] Both projects are joint Russo-Kazakh ventures.

In July 2008, Kazakhstan's national space agency Kazkosmos announced it was drafting a new space development program until 2020, the implementation of which will require at least $6 billion. It is planned that 70% of funding will be provided by the government, and the rest will be raised through investment projects.[9]

To further facilitate development of the space industry and technological exchange, Kazakhstan has applied to become a member of the Missile Technology Control Regime. However, the MTCR has not accepted new members since the 2004 accession of Bulgaria. On 28 June 2007, Kazakhstan acceded to the BTWC, hoping to speed up consideration of its candidacy.

Sources:
[1] "Kazakhstan, Russia sign contract on S-300 air defense systems," Ria Novosti, 4 March 2009.
[2] "Russian S-300 Missile Systems to Be Delivered to Kazakhstan Step-by-Step until 2011," Interfax, 4 March 2009.
[3] "Kazakhstan Doesn't Plant to Buy Russia's S-400 Missile Systems Thus Far — Military," Interfax, 4 March 2009.
[4] Vladimir Karnozov, "Russia and Kazakhstan extend space deal", Flight International, 20 January 2004, pg. 25, www.lexis-nexis.com.
[5] Frank Morring, Jr., "KazSat-1 Launched", Aviation Week & Space Technology, 26 June 2006, pg. 17, www.lexis-nexis.com.
[6] Interfax-Kazakhstan, 9 June 2008.
[7] Interfax-Kazakhstan, 24 September 2008.
[8] Government of Kazakhstan press release, December 2007; "Kazakhstan: A Space Odyssey", Press Release, 16 December 2007, www.spaceref.com.
[9] "Kazahstan razrabatyvayet novuyu kosmicheskuyu programmu stoimostyu 6 mlrd dollarov" ["Kazakhstan Is Developing a New Space Program Worth $6 billion"], Roskosmos, 15 July 2008, www.roscosmos.ru.