Something interesting is happening in the sphere of arms trade in Kazakhstan, according to the well-known political analyst Danial Ashimbayev. He notes that amidst major scandals, news of the arrest of the head of the State Enterprise «Qazarnauliexport (Kazspecexport)» has somewhat been overshadowed, describing him as a rather complicated individual.

On his Telegram channel, the expert writes:

«The city’s police chief arrested on charges of rape, a former minister on charges of murder, a former mayor on charges of illegal distribution of land plots, the head of the fuel and energy complex and municipal services in the capital on charges of bribery. It is reported that the criminal activities of the former president of JSC ‘Kazakhfilm’ have been exposed.»

Against this backdrop, news of the arrest of the head of the State Enterprise «Qazarnauliexport (Kazspecexport)» has somewhat faded, a man who, according to his biography, is quite a complex individual.

2010-2015 — Chairman of the Board of JSC «Kazakhvzryvprom» of the Ministry of Defense (with ministers Jaksybekov, S. Akhmetov, Tasmagambetov).
2015-2016 — Chairman of the Board of JSC «NC «SPK «Astana»» (with akim Jaksybekov).
2016 — State Inspector of the Presidential Administration (with head Jaksybekov).
2016–2017 — Vice Minister of Defense and Aerospace Industry (with minister Atamkulov).
2017-2018 — CEO of the State Enterprise «Qazarnauliexport (Kazspecexport)» of the Ministry of Defense and Aerospace Industry (with minister Atamkulov).
2019-2020 — Deputy Chairman of the Board of JSC «NC «Kazakhstan Engineering»» of the Ministry of Defense and Aerospace Industry (with minister Zhumagaliyev).
Since June 2022 — CEO of the State Enterprise «Qazarnauliexport (Kazspecexport)» under MIIR/MPS (with minister Uskenbaev, now — Karabaev).

Indeed, something interesting is happening in Kazakhstan in the arms trade sector. In August, the moratorium on the export of military equipment, imposed a year ago after a vague scandal and a series of resignations, expired. In October, amid an information war between the Ministry of Defense and an armored vehicle manufacturer, the president suddenly visits the sought-after enterprise and publicly praises it.

Shortly after, Kazspecexport announces the sale of over 100 fighter jets, and in November, the president of this company is detained on corruption charges.

Furthermore, there are also military-industrial partnerships with Turkey and the purchase of air defense systems from Macron, which somehow do not seem very compatible with our [interests].»