Kyrgyzstan Military - 2024

Military and security forces

Armed Forces of the Kyrgyz Republic: Land Forces, Air Defense Forces, National Guard; Internal Troops; State Committee for National Security (GKNB): State Border Service (2023)

Military expenditures

1.5% of GDP (2022 est.)
1.7% of GDP (2021 est.)
1.8% of GDP (2020 est.)
2.3% of GDP (2019 est.)
2.3% of GDP (2018 est.)

Military and security service personnel strengths

approximately 15,000 active-duty troops (9,000 Land Forces; 3,000 Air Force/Air Defense; 3,000 National Guard) (2023)

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions

the Kyrgyz military inventory is comprised of mostly older Russian and Soviet-era equipment; Russia continues to be the leading supplier of armaments, although in recent years Kyrgyzstan has procured weapons systems from several other countries, including Belarus, Germany, and Turkey (2023)

Military service age and obligation

18-27 years of age for compulsory or voluntary service for men in the Armed Forces or Interior Ministry; 12-month service obligation (9 months for university graduates), with optional fee-based 3-year service in the call-up mobilization reserve; women may volunteer at age 19; 16-17 years of age for military cadets, who cannot take part in military operations (2023)

Military - note

Kyrgyzstan has been a member of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) since 1994 and contributes troops to CSTO's rapid reaction force; it also started a relationship with NATO in 1992 and joined NATO's Partnership for Peace program in 1994

the Kyrgyz military’s primary responsibility is defense of the country’s sovereignty and territory, although it also has some internal security duties; elements of the military were called out in 2020 to respond to post-election demonstrations for example, and the National Guard’s missions include counterterrorism, responding to emergencies, and the protection of government facilities; the military also participates in UN and CSTO peacekeeping missions; border disputes with Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, as well as the threat posed by militant Islamic groups, have been particular areas of concern for both the military and internal security forces; the military’s closest security partner is Russia, which provides training and material assistance, and maintains a presence in the country, including an airbase; the military also conducts training with other regional countries such as India, traditionally with a focus on counterterrorism

the Kyrgyz military was formed in 1992 from Soviet Army units then based in Kyrgyzstan following the dissolution of the USSR; the current organization continues to be based on those former Soviet formations; the Army’s principal combat units are reportedly a few small Soviet-style “motor rifle” (mechanized) infantry brigades, plus brigades of mountain infantry, special forces, and artillery; the National Guard has some rapid reaction and special forces units; the Air Defense Forces reportedly have only a few operational combat helicopters (2023)