Kazakhstan sells over 100 military aircraft

27 October, 2023 MiG-31 interceptor of the Kazakhstan Air Force. Photo from open sources In Kazakhstan, 117 Soviet-era fighters and bombers were put up for auction.

This was reported by the publication Golos Naroda. According to the announcement on the electronic sales platform of state property of Kazakhstan, the starting price for the entire lot is more than one billion tenge (more than 1.5 million US dollars). The seller of aircraft is the state enterprise "?????????????????" (Kazspetsexport).

The aircraft being sold belong to military units stationed in Almaty, Abai, Karaganda and Shymkent regions of Kazakhstan.

???-31 ??? ?????????? MiG-31 of the Air Force of Kazakhstan. Photo by Hryhoriy Bedenko

These are mainly supersonic MiG-31 interceptors, MiG-27 fighter-bombers, MiG-29 fighters and Su-24 bombers produced in the 1970s and 1980s.

MiG-27 fighter-bomber in Kazakhstan. Photo by Hryhoriy Bedenko

It is indicated that these military aircraft are inoperable due to being obsolete, and their modernization is economically impractical.

Taking into account their technical condition, the use for other purposes, including as a source of spare parts, is also impossible.

MiG-29 fighter jet of Kazakhstan, inoperable. Photo credits: kaztag.kz

Therefore, according to the bidding requirements, the sale of old aircraft is carried out subject to its disposal on the territory of military units of the Air Defense Forces of the Armed Forces of Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan is gradually replacing an outdated fleet of Soviet-era combat aircraft with modern ones.

????????? ??-30?? ??? ??????????. ???????? /p p2020. ????: ?? ?????????? Su-30SM fighter of the Air Force of Kazakhstan. November 2020. Photo credits: Ministry of Defense of Kazakhstan

In particular, Kazakh military pilots use Russian Su-30SM multi-purpose fighters, which can operate under all weather conditions and time of day, as well as carry out airstrikes against ground targets.

????? /p pL-39C Albatros ?????????? ??? ??????????. ????: Aero Vodochody Aircraft L-39C Albatros of the Air Force of Kazakhstan.

Photo credits: Aero Vodochody

Modernized L-39C Albatros training aircraft are being operated as well.