Kazakhstan holds military parade on Motherland Defenders' Day
By Aynur Jafarova
Kazakhstan held a military parade on May 7, which marked the Day of Motherland Defenders.
The military parade in Astana involved over 2,500 personnel of Kazakhstan's Armed Forces, about 250 military equipment, and 77 aircrafts.
The parade's main feature was the display of military equipment which were collected and modernized at domestic military production plants.
Kazakhstan's modern defense industry has produced over 35 tanks, 40 BMP, and 110 APCs.
The country's military equipment is modernized at the plants of the national Kazakhstan-engineering company. The quality of such products improves each year, a fact which is proved by the excellent results shown by fighting vehicles during military exercises.
First, the T-72-B tanks entered the 'battle front'. This tank is the main type of equipment of Kazakhstan's tank units, and meets the highest international standards.
The T-72-B tanks were followed by the tank support combat vehicles, which became part of the Kazakh military equipment in 2012. One such vehicle is able to replace two mechanized infantry platoon with its fire power.
Later, the parade participants applauded the new heavy flamethrower systems 'Solncepek', which are designed to provide fire support for infantry and tanks, defeat the enemy personnel, and decommission light armored and transport vehicles.
Then the parade continued with the display of the battery of the air defense missile system 'Strela-10, which is capable of defeating aerial targets at a distance of up to five kilometers and at a height of up to 3.5 kilometers.
Addressing the parade, Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev said the main task of the defenders of the Motherland is to preserve peace in their native land.
The President noted today's parade is another opportunity to show Kazakhstan's power, high morale, and army training.
This was the second military parade dedicated to the Day of Motherland Defenders. The first one was held in 2013 when the Day of Motherland Defenders was celebrated as a public holiday for the first time.
The first parade was held with the participation of 7,000 servicemen, more than 400 armored vehicles and automotive equipment, and more than 80 aircraft and helicopters.