Russia seeks arms production shift to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan
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Russia is exploring the outsourcing of arms manufacturing to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan to protect production from Ukrainian drone strikes, according to an RFE/RL report. Kazakh officials say the matter is under review, while Uzbekistan has not commented. The move would reverse Russia's traditional role as the region's main arms supplier.
Key Facts
- Russia is considering outsourcing arms production to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan to shield it from Ukrainian drone strikes, according to an RFE/RL report.
- Kazakhstan's Defense Ministry said the matter is under review, while Uzbek authorities offered no comment.
- Existing facilities include the Semey Engineering plant and Almaty Aircraft Repair Plant in Kazakhstan, and the Chirchik Aircraft Repair Plant in Uzbekistan.
- Russia has already postponed major projects in Central Asia, including nuclear power plant construction, due to cash-flow difficulties at Rosatom.
Proposed Production Shift
Russia is seeking to establish arms assembly lines and maintenance facilities in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, placing them beyond the reach of Ukrainian drones. Defense analyst Derek Bisaccio told RFE/RL that Ukraine would not want to launch drone strikes on Kazakhstani territory, as that would be seen as a serious escalation. The move would mark a sharp change in regional dynamics, as Russia has been the main arms supplier to Central Asia for most of the post-Soviet era. Moscow's near monopoly on the regional arms market began eroding in 2022 after the invasion of Ukraine.
Regional Response
Kazakh and Uzbek leaders may find the risks of expanded defense cooperation with Russia outweigh the advantages, including exposure to secondary sanctions from the United States and European Union. A Kazakh Defense Ministry official told RFE/RL the matter is still under review, while Uzbek authorities offered no comment. Pavel Baev, a regional expert at the Peace Research Institute Oslo, said he saw little incentive for Astana and Tashkent to embrace what he called Moscow's 'less-than-smart plan'.
Financing Constraints
The war has strained Russian state finances and its ability to fund large-scale projects. Russia has already postponed major projects in Central Asia, including nuclear power plant construction, due to cash-flow difficulties at Rosatom. Russian state-controlled entities have also seen contracts to build power plants in Kazakhstan cancelled due to financing woes.
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Russia seeks arms production shift to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan
