Experience in the Creation and Development of the Military Organization of the State from 1992 to 1998 in the Kyrgyz Republic

On May 29, 1992, by decree of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, the units and parts of the Armed Forces of the USSR stationed on the territory of the republic were placed under the jurisdiction of Kyrgyzstan, and the creation of national armed forces was announced. The impetus for the establishment of its own armed forces was not the prospects of negative developments in the military-political situation and the possibility of threats to the military security of Kyrgyzstan, but the obligations of the Kyrgyz Republic within the framework of the Collective Security Treaty of the states participating in the Commonwealth of Independent States. Initially, they were perceived merely as a mandatory attribute of statehood, which was due to several reasons.

Firstly, Kyrgyzstan, having become an independent state, faced the necessity of institutional construction.

Secondly, the rupture of previous economic ties provoked a deep economic crisis in the country, which led to a sharp decline in the population's standard of living and brought to the forefront the tasks of maintaining socio-economic stability.

Thirdly, Central Asia continued to be perceived as a single economic and political space.

Fourthly, the long-standing political and economic community within the USSR excluded military threats from neighboring states.

Fifthly, the country's leadership lacked experience in managing and governing the military sphere.

Sixthly, the conclusion of the Collective Security Treaty generated confidence that military security could be ensured through collective security systems. The military-defense concept of 1994 states: "The Kyrgyz Republic believes that its security is inseparable from the security of other states of the Commonwealth. The defense of the Kyrgyz Republic and the Commonwealth of Independent States as a whole can be most effectively ensured through the joint efforts of the states participating in the Commonwealth."

In these conditions, the choice of the country's leadership to prioritize institutionalization and ensure socio-economic stability was somewhat justified.

The armed forces were reduced from 18,500 to 12,000 personnel. Nevertheless, their maintenance became a heavy economic burden for the crumbling economy. The President of the country, A. Akayev, stated that Kyrgyzstan could very well do without armed forces.

In an atmosphere of general complacency regarding military security, the military did not strive to defend their interests, let alone conflict with politicians. In some cases, they even contributed to the reduction of defense potential. For example, two squadrons of the most combat-ready fighters were illegally sent to Russia.

The conflict that began in neighboring Tajikistan put an end to the notion of the possibility of doing without armed forces. The emergence of a potential military threat stimulated military activities aimed at ensuring military security. The main headquarters assumed that the development of armed conflict in Tajikistan could lead to the infiltration of armed formations of opposing sides into the territory of Kyrgyzstan, and in the event of one side's victory in the Tajik conflict, part of the defeated would not accept defeat and would seek refuge outside Tajikistan. At the same time, China was excluded, as it was still perceived as an unfriendly state, and it was clear that the Chinese authorities would not allow another destabilizing factor in the problematic Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. Uzbekistan completely closed its border with Tajikistan due to increasing contradictions between them and in connection with the activation of religious extremist organizations within the country. Afghanistan was an undesirable refuge due to its civil war. The most convenient territory remained the mountainous areas of southern Kyrgyzstan, which could become a springboard for continuing the struggle. Subsequent events confirmed these assumptions.

Considering the lack of its own forces and means, the Main Headquarters proposed to involve other law enforcement agencies, some civil organizations, and regional administrations for defense preparation. The military initiative received support from the political leadership. In May 1994, the first joint exercises of the Ministries of Defense, National Security, Internal Affairs, Ecology, and Emergency Situations took place in the city of Osh and the Chon-Alai district of the Osh region, involving the national airline "Aba Zholdoru" and the regional administration. The exercises practiced joint actions for securing the state border, neutralizing armed formations, and organizing the reception and accommodation of refugees.

A series of joint exercises over two years allowed for the organization and practical rehearsal of interaction between civil authorities and law enforcement agencies. A corresponding action plan was developed and approved. This later played a role in neutralizing illegal armed formations in 1999 and 2000.