Kazakhstan has begun implementing a defense industry project that would introduce domestic production of ammunition compatible with NATO standards, according to reporting by RTVI.
Kazakhstan has longstanding military and industrial ties with Russia and remains a member of Russia-led security and political groupings. Its armed forces and defense industry have historically relied on Soviet- and Russian-standard weapons and ammunition.
$1 billion ASPAN initiative
The new initiative, known as the ASPAN project, involves the construction of several weapons manufacturing plants intended to produce artillery and mortar ammunition.
Under the ASPAN project, ammunition would for the first time be produced to NATO specifications. Kazakh authorities have described the effort as part of a broader program to expand domestic defense production capacity.
The total cost of the project is estimated at around $1 billion. Construction of the first plant, ASPAN-1, is currently underway, with serial production expected to begin in 2027.
According to the project operator, output is planned to include both existing calibers used by Kazakhstan’s armed forces and NATO-standard ammunition.
Moscow calls move 'unfriendly'
Russian officials have publicly criticized the project. Alexei Zhuravlyov, First Deputy Chair of the Russian State Duma Defense Committee, described the move as unfriendly and linked it to Kazakhstan’s cooperation with NATO structures.
Kazakh authorities have not announced changes to existing defense partnerships and have not indicated that the project is intended to replace current military cooperation with Russia.
