Kazakhstan To Build Up Navy To Protect Oil

[Ren987]

Kazakhstan To Build Up Navy To Protect Oil
By Borat Sagdiyev, KAZAKHSTAN

Kazakhstan plans to build up its naval force on the Caspian Sea to guard its vast offshore oilfields and diversify arms imports, the Central Asian state’s defense minister said Oct. 24.

Kazakhstan inherited its military force from Russia and it relies on its former Soviet overlord for most of its defense contracts. Any deviation from this tradition would annoy Russia which sees Central Asia as its sphere of interest.

Defense Minister Danial Akhmetov told Reuters in an interview that Kazakhstan sought to significantly expand its small fleet on the Caspian Sea and promote military contacts with countries such as Turkey and Israel.

“We are beginning to develop our navy for the first time. Of course it’s very costly but given that Kazakhstan is home to serious oil resources in the Caspian Sea, it is our duty ... to create a stable and calm environment,” he said.

“In the sphere of arms equipment and defense technology we believe in a wide-ranging approach. It is Russia on one side, and on the other it’s Israel, Turkey’s military-industrial complex and other countries where we try to buy everything that is new.”

Kazakhstan’s relations with Russia somewhat cooled this year as the steppe nation, awash with booming oil revenues and home to some of the world’s biggest oilfields, seeks to pursue a more independent foreign policy.

In a symbolic gesture of support for the West, Kazakhstan has deployed a contingent of military engineers to assist U.S. military efforts in Iraq.

Its biggest oilfields, Kashagan and Tengiz, are being developed by Western oil majors including Italy’s Eni ENI.MI, Exxon Mobil XOM.N, and Royal Dutch Shell RDSa.L.

Akhmetov said Kazakhstan, which operates only a handful of ships to guard its energy interests, has mapped out a strategy and would set up a separate naval authority next year.

He said his ministry would soon pick a country to supply it with military ships and help develop its coastal infrastructure.

“As our economy grows, our defense budget will also grow accordingly,” he said. This year’s defense budget is $1.2 billion, or just over one percent of gross domestic product.

But Akhmetov said Russia would remain Kazakhstan’s key suppliers in anti-aircraft technology and aviation.
“We have very simple principles in this respect,” he said. “Certain types of complex technology such as aviation we will still continue to develop with Russia.”

http://www.defensenews.com/story.php...3681&C=america

[PanzerMaster]

An article by Borat from Kazahkstan?

(A part the obvious reference, here in Italy, also the Kazahkstan term alone sound funny...)

[Desk Jockey]

They are a few years behind, in 2004 Seal Team Two (Hotel platoon) did a dog and pony show with the Azeri navy for visiting diplomats and private sector individuals, however, they were there to get the Azeri Navy SF types up to speed on oil platform protection and CT exercises. There are still no clearly defined borders of the Caspian among the countries and a boat load of oil and natural gas.

Since 2005, Blackwater's MSS (Maritime Security Solutions) division has been working with the Azeri Navy. They had have all new hight tech kit, craft, and obviously former SEAL / FR type instructors.

The Kazahks would be wise to do the same along with the Turkmen.

[Bubba Gump]

Good news for them, they are doing a healthy modernization, they are getting some Huey IIs to form an Air Mobile Battalion. They are also aiming for NATO interoperability.

Also, South Korea gave them used Sea Dolphin boats.

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Korea/HE13Dg01.html

[JJC]

[quote=Desk Jockey;2836011]
Since 2005, Blackwater's MSS (Maritime Security Solutions) division has been working with the Azeri Navy. They had have all new hight tech kit, craft, and obviously former SEAL / FR type instructors.

The Kazahks would be wise to do the same along with the Turkmen.[/quote]

Turkmenistan is run by the most dumbest people. Turkmens have been exploited by Kremlin since for ever. Kremlin buys their gas and oil at ridiculously low prices and resells it. While Kazakstan has the necessary resources to push for independece, Turkmenistan never was and never will have that capability to put its foot on the ground.

This whole Caspian region will be fun to watch in upcoming years. I wouldn't be surprised if we will see conflicts sooner in the region. I can bet that Russia will not sit back and allow these smaler countries push for independence on oil and gas sales.

[Flamming_Python]

Originally Posted by JJC

Turkmenistan is run by the most dumbest people. Turkmens have been exploited by Kremlin since for ever. Kremlin buys their gas and oil at ridiculously low prices and resells it. While Kazakstan has the necessary resources to push for independece, Turkmenistan never was and never will have that capability to put its foot on the ground.

This whole Caspian region will be fun to watch in upcoming years. I wouldn't be surprised if we will see conflicts sooner in the region. I can bet that Russia will not sit back and allow these smaler countries push for independence on oil and gas sales.

Turkmenistan has always been pretty crafty. A few years ago it pushed its prices up to $100 for Russia, and now with the Trans-Caspian pipeline talk, it's attempting to get it's prices upto $150, which it will no doubt succeed in doing. I wouldn't say Kazakh capabilities are any better than Turkmen capabilities and leverage for these type of transactions. If they are determined to get higher prices, they will. Although Kazakhstan is also launching an offensive against Western PSA's and ventures on it's territory, in the same style as the Russian assault on the Sakhalin projects, which all typically give only a small share of the profit back to the host countries.

The Kremlin doesn't resell the Central Asian oil & gas either. It uses it to supply Russian regions at internal Russian prices (which are gradually moving upto international prices, but aren't there yet), and then resells it's own oil and gas at international prices (with the exception of ex-Soviet states)

[Desk Jockey]

Turkmenistan is run by the most dumbest people. Turkmens have been exploited by Kremlin since for ever. Kremlin buys their gas and oil at ridiculously low prices and resells it. While Kazakstan has the necessary resources to push for independece, Turkmenistan never was and never will have that capability to put its foot on the ground.

This whole Caspian region will be fun to watch in upcoming years. I wouldn't be surprised if we will see conflicts sooner in the region. I can bet that Russia will not sit back and allow these smaler countries push for independence on oil and gas sales.

Can't argue with any of that,

Yes, Niyazov, made Kim Jong il look sane, we will see what the new President does, now that "Turkmenashy" is gone. When I was there it was fooking ridiclous to see just to the extent his picture was everywhere.

It very well maybe the most dictatorial country on the planet earth. And yes "dumb" leaders are the norm. Pertronas of Malaysia did the first and does have signifigant investemnt as well as drilling capacity in the "block 1" area of the Caspian sea. A refinery is scheduled. Given foreign investemnt we will see what they can do, but I concur with your assesement, they are further behind the curve then any of the regional powers.

Will be fun to watch indeed mate...........

[Desk Jockey]

@FP you think they can really get 150? They are crafty but have a habit of shooting themselves in the foot.......

The Kremlin doesn't resell the Central Asian oil & gas either. It uses it to supply Russian regions at internal Russian prices (which are gradually moving upto international prices, but aren't there yet), and then resells it's own oil and gas at international prices (with the exception of ex-Soviet states)

Interesting thanks..........

[JJC]

Originally Posted by Desk Jockey

Can't argue with any of that,

Yes, Niyazov, made Kim Jong il look sane, we will see what the new President does, now that "Turkmenashy" is gone. When I was there it was fooking ridiclous to see just to the extent his picture was everywhere.

It very well maybe the most dictatorial country on the planet earth. And yes "dumb" leaders are the norm. Pertronas of Malaysia did the first and does have signifigant investemnt as well as drilling capacity in the "block 1" area of the Caspian sea. A refinery is scheduled. Given foreign investemnt we will see what they can do, but I concur with your assesement, they are further behind the curve then any of the regional powers.

Will be fun to watch indeed mate...........

When and where were you in T stan? I was born there and my family like majority of educated/skilled labor left that country by mid 90s. There are virtualy no doctors, lawyers, or engineers left. All the "white Russians" Armenians and Jews who ran the country are long gone. In the entire country there is only one functioning hospital in the capital.
They're lucky they have Turkish companies developing and investing there. A lot of nice modern construction, but most people are piss poor as you know.

[Desk Jockey]

Originally Posted by JJC

When and where were you in T stan? I was born there and my family like majority of educated/skilled labor left that country by mid 90s. There are virtualy no doctors, lawyers, or engineers left. All the "white Russians" Armenians and Jews who ran the country are long gone. In the entire country there is only one functioning hospital in the capital.
They're lucky they have Turkish companies developing and investing there. A lot of nice modern construction, but most people are piss poor as you know.

1999, 2001 and 2004, it was like being on another planet, I could see the camera in the bathroom through the mirror of the bathroom at the Grand Turkem Hotel. Yeah, it is like that Goddam arch of neutrality with Niyazov facing the sun all the time, how much went into that?

There is one new pedriatic hospital that I know of, but as you know the best funtioning bank when I was there was Indian. And yeah, nice modern construction but all the ministries are these beautiful marble palaces with the poplulation being "piss poor" as you said, I got a ton of shyte too for having Uzbek stamps in my passport by every official I ran into, got the Niyazov speech from every taxi driver. I could go on mate.

I have a friend whose mother lost her job when your family got out, her father split, and they could not even get penicilin for her condition. Pension 4-6 months late, the works.

It is not talked about but the opium crisis is worsening too. Would you ever think of visiting?

[JJC]

I always wanted to visit but it's dangerous at least for now, espcially for my family. I would worry about the police and KGB than local criminal gangs. Our family friend who lives in Germany went for a visit and disappeared for 8 months. Forget international law, the guy was locked up untill his son payed up good fortune in extortion money for him to get released. I know our large house ,that was never sold, and many others were confiscated and demolished last year to build yet another Turkmen Bashi hotel complex.

[Desk Jockey]

Originally Posted by JJC

I always wanted to visit but it's dangerous at least for now, espcially for my family. I would worry about the police and KGB than local criminal gangs. Our family friend who lives in Germany went for a visit and disappeared for 8 months. Forget international law, the guy was locked up untill his son payed up good fortune in extortion money for him to get released. I know our large house ,that was never sold, and many others were confiscated and demolished last year to build yet another Turkmen Bashi hotel complex.

Aklly "smart", no reason to risk it and not much to see, my friend got lucky and she actually landed a job as an administrative assistant, but the BS is prevalent, sorry about your families house.

Take Care mate, if I head there, I will give you the scoop.

[JJC]

Originally Posted by Desk Jockey

Aklly "smart", no reason to risk it and not much to see, my friend got lucky and she actually landed a job as an administrative assistant, but the BS is prevalent, sorry about your families house.

Take Care mate, if I head there, I will give you the scoop.

Nice talkin, it's always exciting for me to know that someone knows what Turkmenistan is.

[yorukoglu]

of course we know what Turkmenistan is.İt is motherland of Oğuz turks and will be center of Great Turkistan.

[Johnny bazooka]

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