The Armed Forces of the Kyrgyz Republic^[4] (Kyrgyz: Кыргыз Республикасынын Куралдуу Күчтөрү; Kırgız Respublikasının Kuralduu Küçtörü) is the national military of Kyrgyzstan. It was originally formed from the former Soviet forces of the Turkestan Military District stationed in newly independent Kyrgyzstan. It consists of the Ground Forces, the Air Force and the National Guard. Affiliated security forces to the armed forces included the Internal Troops, the State Committee for National Security and the Border Troops.

Quick Facts Motto, Founded ...

Armed Forces of the Kyrgyz Republic
Кыргыз Республикасынын Куралдуу Күчтөрү Kırgız Respublikasının Kuralduu Küçtörü
Seal of the Kyrgyz Armed Forces
Ensign of Kyrgyz Armed Forces
Motto	Милдет, Намыс, Ата-Мекен Mildet, Namys, Ata-Meken (Duty, Honor, and Fatherland)
Founded	May 29, 1992[1]
Service branches	Service branches  ∟ Ground Forces  ∟ Air Force  ∟ National Guard Independent formations  ∟ Frontier Force  ∟ Internal Troops
Headquarters	Ministry of Defence, Bishkek
Website	mil.gov.kg
Leadership
Commander in Chief	Sadyr Japarov
Minister of Defense	Major General Baktybek Bekbolotov
Chief of the General Staff	Major General Ruslan Mukambetov
Personnel
Military age	18
Conscription	12 months (high school graduates) 9 months (university graduates)
Available for military service	3,351,670 (2020 est.), age 15–49
Fit for military service	3,471,900 (2020 est.), age 15–49
Reaching military age annually	900,000 (2022 est.)
Active personnel	23,000 (2022 est.)
Reserve personnel	300,000 (2022 est.)
Expenditures
Budget	$600,000,000 (2022 est) [2]
Industry
Foreign suppliers	Russia[3]  China  Kazakhstan  Uzbekistan  United States  Pakistan  India  United Kingdom  Turkey
Related articles
History	Tajikistani Civil War Batken Conflict War on Terror (2001) Tulip Revolution War in Afghanistan (2005—2013) 2010 Kyrgyz Revolution 2010 South Kyrgyzstan ethnic clashes 2013 Kyrgyzstan protests Kyrgyz Revolution of 2020 2021 Kyrgyzstan–Tajikistan clashes 2022 Kazakh unrest 2022 Kyrgyzstan–Tajikistan clashes 2022 Isfara missile attacks Kyrgyz peacekeeping forces participated:  Sierra Leone: UNMSL  Liberia: UNML  Kosovo: UNIAMK  Sudan: UNMS  East Timor: UNTAET /: UNMEaE /: UNMCARC
Ranks	Military ranks of Kyrgyzstan

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For much of the Soviet period, since 1967, the 8th Guards 'Panfilov' Motor Rifle Division was the main military force in the country. In 1967 the division had been moved to Bishkek from the Baltic Military District, where it had previously been based. It was only disbanded in January 2003.^[11] However, in 2011 reports said the division had been reformed with its headquarters in Tokmak. The Army of Kyrgyzstan includes the 1st Motor Rifle Brigade (Mountain) at Osh, a brigade at Koy-Tash, in the Bishkek area, the 25th Special Forces Brigade, independent battalions at Karakol and Naryn, a brigade at Balykchi, and other units. Two Groups of Forces, the Southern, and more recently the Northern, have been active during Kyrgyzstan's history. In 2004, the Northern Group of Forces was reported as consisting of the Balykchynsky brigade, the brigade deployed in suburb of Bishkek, separate battalions in Karakol and Naryn, and other army units.^[12]

The Army controls the Combat Training Center and Training Center "Ala-Too".

Kyrgyzstan's air arm was inherited from the central Soviet air force training school. This presented the nation a fleet of nearly 70 L-39s, dismantled MiG-21's and several Mi-8's and Mi-24's. However, only a few L-39s and the helicopters are capable of flight. All Kyrgyz military aircraft are reportedly based at Kant, alongside the Russian 999th Air Base.^[13] Because of expense and military doctrine, Kyrgyzstan has not developed its air capability; a large number of the MiG-21 interceptors that it borrowed from Russia were returned in 1993, although a number of former Soviet air bases remain available. In 1996 about 100 decommissioned MiG-21s remained in Kyrgyzstan, as of 2017 only 29 MiG-21s are in working order, in service along with ninety-six L-39 trainers and sixty-five helicopters. The air defense forces have received aid from Russia, which has sent military advisory units to establish a defense system. The Russians also help patrol Kyrgyz airspace as part of the Joint CIS Air Defence System. Presently Kyrgyzstan has twenty-six SA-2 and SA-3 surface-to-air missiles in its air defense arsenal. In 2002 the Kyrgyzstan government allowed the United States to use Manas air base for support operations in the War on terror. This agreement lasted until June 2014.^[14][15]

The National Guard of Kyrgyzstan was founded on December 6, 1991, and took their first oath July 20 the following year.^[16][17] In 2014, the Internal Troops were absorbed into the National Guard as a result of the ongoing military reforms. This would remain this way until September 2018 when they were separated once again.^[18]

In terms of foreign presence, the U.S.-led Operation Enduring Freedom coalition used the Manas Air Base (Bishkek's international airport) until June 2014. In response, Russia set up the 999th Air Base at Kant to counter the American military presence in the former Soviet state. Moscow is believed to have promised Bishkek $1.1 billion for modernizing its army. Agreements to this effect were reached during the visits to Bishkek by Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov in August and President Vladimir Putin in September 2012.^[22] As of fall 2023, Russia supplies various military equipment and also begins to form a joint air defense system.^[23][24][25] Since May 1992, Kyrgyzstan has been a member of the Collective Security Treaty Organization. In addition, its leaders work within the framework of the Council of Ministers of Defense of the CIS. Kyrgyzstan hosted the Second CIS Military Sports Games in 2017 in Balykchy. The games included various competition in shooting, fighting, etc.^[26] On 16 July 2018, the opening of the Kyrgyz-Indian Mountain Training Center took place in Balykchy at the Edelweiss Training Center, built with funds allocated by the Government of India.^[27][28]

The personnel of the armed forces also take part in UN peacekeeping missions. Currently, Kyrgyz forces are serving in Sierra Leone, Liberia, Sudan, East Timor, Ethiopia and Kosovo.^[29]

• State Committee for National Security
• Ministry of the Interior
• Kyrgyz Frontier Force