Cooperative Threat Reduction (CTR) Program assistance is enabling Kazakstan to eliminate 148 silos (1997 photo depicts blown silo headworks from a former SS-18 missile silo).

ICBM Force and Silo Dismantlement

The ICBM force deployed in Kazakhstan consisted of 104 SS-18 ICBMs tipped with 1,040 warheads, deployed at two missile bases: Zhangiz-Tobe (also known as Solnechnyy), Semipalatinsk Oblast; and Derzhavinsk, Turgay Oblast. A total of 148 silos and other structures, including 104 SS-18 launch silos, 16 launch control centers, two SS-18 training silos, and 26 other silo structures, were located at four sites: Zhangiz-Tobe missile base; Derzhavinsk missile base; Leninsk test range, Kzyl-Orda Oblast; and Balapan test range, Semipalatinsk Test Site. By 25 April 1995, all 1,040 nuclear warheads associated with SS-18 ICBMs were transferred to Russia . All 104 SS-18 ICBMs were removed to Russia for dismantlement by 5 September 1996.

Destruction and dismantlement of all 148 missile silos and silo structures was carried out in a two-phase program, ending on 30 September 1999. In Phase I, the United States awarded contracts through the Cooperative Threat Reduction (CTR) program to two Kazakhstani firms to remove silo equipment deemed valuable to the government of Kazakhstan. Russian strategic missile forces then destroyed silo headworks from April 1994 to August 1996 under an agreement between the governments of Kazakhstan and Russia. In Phase II, from July 1996 to September 1999, U.S. Department of Defense contractors helped the Kazakhstani side with clean-up and final dismantlement of the destroyed silos.

Heavy Bombers/ALCM Force

A squadron of 40 TU-95 heavy bombers equipped with Kh-55 [NATO Designation AS-15A 'Kent'] ALCMs, tipped with 370 warheads, was stationed at Shagan Aerodrome, Semipalatinsk Test Site. Russia removed the 40 Tu-95 bombers and ALCMs from Shagan Aerodrome in February 1994. All 370 warheads associated with Tu-95 bombers were removed by 25 April 1995. Seven obsolete 1955-vintage bombers left behind by Russia were dismantled by August 1997 under the CTR program.

Kazakhstan's Space Program

Astana has been closely cooperating with Moscow in development of its space sector. Kazakhstan has agreed to continue leasing launch facilities at the Baikonur Cosmodrome to Russia until 2050 for $115 million a year. [1] Meanwhile, Russia has involved Kazakh scientists in design and construction projects and trained Kazakh astronauts for participation in the International Space Station. In June 2006, Kazakhstan launched its first satellite, KazSat in an official ceremony with Russia’s President Vladimir Putin and Kazakhstan’s President Nursultan Nazarbayev present. The KazSat, built by Russia's Khrunichev was launched on a Russian Proton booster rocket.[2]

Kazakhstan’s President Nursultan Nazarbayev has recently announced ambitious plans to develop Kazakhstan's space industry. According to a December 2007 Kazakhstan government press release, the plans include two key mid-term objectives, “the inauguration by 2012 of the Baiterek Space Complex whose construction is due to start in 2008 and the launch of the environment-friendly Angara boosters which use non toxic propellants.” [3] Both projects are joint Russo-Kazakh ventures.

To further facilitate development of the space industry and technological exchange, Kazakhstan has applied to become a member of the Missile Technology Control Regime. However, the MTCR has not accepted new members since the 2004 accession of Bulgaria. On 28 June 2007, Kazakhstan acceded to the BWC, hoping to speed up consideration of its candidacy.

	Updated January 2008

Key Sources:
"The Politics of Renunciation: The Cases of Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Ukraine," Occasional Paper No. 22, Henry L. Stimson Center Website, http://www.stimson.org/pubs/zeronuke/potter.pdf, April 1995, p. 5; Richard G. Lugar, Nunn-Lugar: The Past as a Guide to the Future, presentation at NISNP Conference Assessing U.S. Dismantlement and Nonproliferation Assistance Programs in the Newly Independent States, Monterey, CA, 13 December 1999; Bureau of Nonproliferation, "START I: Lisbon Protocol and the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty," US State Department Website, http://www.state.gov/www/.../wmd/nuclear/npt/npt-95.html, 14 February 1995; "US Congratulates Kazakhstan for Removal of Nuclear Weapons," Nicholas Burns statement, US Department of State Website, http://www.state.gov, 26 May 1995; US Department of State Daily Press Briefing, US Department of State Website, http://www.state.gov, 26 May 1995; "Kazakhstan: SS-18 Silo Elimination," Cooperative Threat Reduction Brochure, CTR Website, http://www.dtra.mil/ctr/11frame.html, August 1997; US Department of State Daily Press Briefing, State Department Website, http://www.state.gov, 26 May 1995; Kazakh Television First Program Network, 5 September 1996; in "Russia Completes Withdrawal of Nuclear Military Facilities," FBIS- SOV-96-174; NISNP e-mail correspondence with Defense Threat Reduction Agency official, 30 August 2000, KAZ970830; "Cooperative Threat Reduction Assistance to Kazakhstan," Stimson Center Nuclear Roundtable Website, http://www.stimson.org/rd-table/ctr-kaz.htm, 16 January 1997, pp. 1-2; "Deyatelnost sovmestnoy amerikano-kazakhstanskoy komissii v ramkakh programmy sovmestnogo umensheniya ugrozy, 1992-1997," CTR publication. "All Strategic Bombers Out Of Kazakhstan; Talks On Those In Ukraine," RFE/RL News Briefs, Vol. 3, No. 9, 21-25 February 1994; [1] “Russian Proton-M rocket with Japanese satellite crashes on launch,” 6 September 2007, RIA Novosti, http://en.rian.ru/russia/20070906/76959319.html;[2] "Kazakhstan launches its first satellite," Associated Press, 17 June 2006, http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13390784/; [3] "Kazakhstan: A Space Odyssey," 16 December 2007, Government of Kazakhstan press release, http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=24305.