In what appears to be a blend of tactical procurement and geopolitical signaling, the United States has acquired 81 Soviet-era combat aircraft from Kazakhstan, stirring curiosity and speculation among defense analysts and international observers.
The fleet, sold for one billion Kazakhstani tenge or approximately $2.26 million—averaging around $19,300 per plane—includes MiG-31 interceptors, MiG-27 fighter bombers, MiG-29 fighters, and Su-24 bombers from the 1970s and 1980s.
Kazakhstan, once a strong ally of Russia, is reportedly deepening ties with Western nations, coinciding with efforts to upgrade its military capabilities.
This move comes as the former Soviet republic aligns itself more with the West amidst the shifting geopolitical landscape exacerbated by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
These ties are underscored by recent high-level visits, such as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s trip to Kazakhstan in February 2023, where he affirmed strong support for the nation’s “independence [and] territorial integrity.”
The motive behind the US purchase remains undisclosed, leaving room for conjecture.
Given Ukraine’s reliance on Soviet-era weaponry, it has been suggested that the planes could serve as a source of spare parts or even be strategically deployed as decoys at airfields in the region.
Kyiv Post alluded to such possibilities while Insider UA and Reporter indicated the US’s acquisition but did not confirm the end use.
Kazakhstani state-owned weapons exporter Kazspetsexport refuted claims of selling military planes to Ukraine, emphasizing that foreign companies were prohibited from bidding. Meanwhile, the Pentagon has yet to comment officially on the matter.
For the US, these aircraft represent an era of aerial combat marked by the Cold War’s strategic rivalries. The MiG-31, once a guardian of Soviet airspace, and the MiG-27, which participated in the Soviet-Afghan War, are relics of past conflicts.
The agile MiG-29, recognized for its prowess in air-to-air combat, and the Su-24, an all-weather tactical bomber, are still operational in several air forces, including Russia’s and Ukraine’s.
The Mikoyan MiG-31, as reported by Airforce Technology, is a supersonic interceptor crafted specifically for safeguarding Soviet airspace. It held a pivotal position throughout the Cold War era.
The paradox of these dated but potentially utilitarian warbirds being sold at auction by Kazakhstan, Russia’s historical ally, to the United States, is not lost on Russia.
Kazakhstan, once a constituent republic of the Soviet Union, has traditionally fostered strong ties with Russia, serving as one of its staunchest allies.
However, since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the dynamics of this relationship have changed. Kazakhstan has increasingly aligned itself with the West, a shift that has provoked anger from certain quarters in Russia. Russian commentators have already expressed concern over Kazakhstan’s Westward shift, with one Russian TV pundit, Vladimir Solovyov, highlighting Kazakhstan as a potential ‘next problem’ in the wake of Ukraine, insinuating the presence of what he termed “Nazi processes.”