Kazakhstan has launched its first small-caliber ammunition manufacturing plant, the country’s Kazakhstan Engineering (KE) state-run company announced on May 5, 2020. The company will be supposed to produce Soviet- and Russian-standard ammunition for small arms (presumably 9×18, 9×19, 5.45×39, 7.62×39, 7.62×54R, and 12.7×108 cartridges).

Kazakhstan Engineering also produces combat vehicles and military equipment. (Picture source Kazakhstan Engineering)

“On May 5, Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Askar Mamin started the Kazakhstan Ammunition Plant’s [KPZ’s] first small-caliber ammunition manufacturing facility. The KZP project is being implemented by TOO Steel Manufacturing [a subsidiary of the KE]. This enterprise fully meets the international standards of ammunition production,” said the press department of the KE in a statement on May 5

“This program, which has been fulfilled with the assistance of [Kazakhstan’s] Ministry of Industry and Infrastructural Development, will allow us to produce ammunition under the standards introduced by Kazakhstan and the Collective Security Treaty Organization [CSTO] and get rid of any dependence in the field of ammo importing. The plant will fully supply the country’s military and law enforcement bodies and give us an ability to export ammunition,” said the KE’s press department.

The company is planning to fit the KPZ with a facility to produce STANAG-compatible ammunition (however, the enterprise did not detail the types of the STANAG cartridges to be manufactured). This modernization effort will allow us to extend our geography of sales,” said Chairman of JSC Kazakhstan Engineering Kuanysh Bishimov.

Kazakhstan is now hammering out national ammunition standards, which are required for launching of export deliveries.