Recently, Kazakhstan announced its decision to purchase Russian onesSu-30SM fighter, and notFrench Rafale fighters。The reasons behind this decision are far from merely theSu-30 fighterThere are also related political and economic considerations.
First of all,Su-30SMis more cost-effective. As a heavy-dutyFightersSu-30SMIt has a large combat radius, powerful radar performance and reliable logistics maintenance capabilities. In contrast,French Rafale fightersIt is not advantageous in these areas. The Kazakh side considers the choiceSu-30SMIt can better ensure the long-term use of the fighter and the controllability of maintenance costs.
Secondly, Kazakhstan is worried about buying the WestFightersMay face political coercion. Considering that Kazakhstan has experienced the bitter lessons of color revolutions, the country is buyingThe level of distrust of the West when equipping is gradually increasing. If you choose the Western oneFighters, Kazakhstan may face political interference from Western countries, which will have an impact on the maintenance of fighters andLogisticsto cause adverse effects.
In addition, Kazakhstan buys new onesFighters, because a large number of old ones were eliminated beforeFighters。theseFightersThere has been a serious aging problem, with rust on parts and internal damage. Kazakhstan needs to procure new onesFightersto make up for the existing oneFightersInsufficient quantity. The choice was made taking into account the friendly relations between Russia and Kazakhstan, as well as the already established facilities for the training of personnel and logistical maintenanceSu-30 fighterIt becomes a more suitable choice.
Kazakhstan behaves against the West's distrust stems mainly from the 2022 riots that took place in its country. This "color revolution" is "similar to the Ukrainian one".The Orange RevolutionWhen there was a riot, a large crowd gathered at the entrance of the institution, and the members of the committee quietly left for the destruction of the people. Kazakhstan appealed to the CSTO for help, and troops from Russia and other countries entered Kazakhstan to help stabilize order. In the aftermath of the riots, those involved in the planning were prosecuted for treason. Kazakhstan believes that this riot proves that Western countries have always had ambitions to subvert Kazakhstan ** and therefore to the WestIndicates distrust.
Economically, Kazakhstan's main income** is the export of oil and gas resources, but withInternationalReduction in the amount of social demand for these resources, Kazakhstandomestic economyThere was negative growth. However, the exploitation of resources in Kazakhstan is largely controlled by foreign companies, and most of the revenue from oil and gas development goes into the pockets of foreign companies such as the United States and Russia, while the bottom of the population in Kazakhstan does not benefit from it. This has led to a widening gap between the rich and the poor, with low incomes for those at the bottom and some at risk of unemployment. In this context, Kazakhstan** needs to rationalize the use of its limited financial resources to meet the needs of all aspects of the country, including defense and military equipment.
To sum up, Kazakhstan chosenSu-30 fighter, and notFrench Rafale fightersThere are multiple reasons. ExceptSu-30 fighterIn addition to the performance and cost performance, Kazakhstan is politically and economically oriented towards the WestExpressing distrust, while at the same time the need for rational use of financial resources to meet the needs of all sectors of the country. This makes the choice of RussianFightersIt becomes a more suitable choice.