Kazakh President Qasym-Jomart Toqaev met with Alikhan Smailov, chairman of the Supreme Audit Chamber, to receive a report on the progress of an unscheduled audit into the efficiency of budget spending at the Ministry of Defense, according to infohub.kz.
The presidential press service said the large-scale inspection covers 50 facilities, including 48 military units. A team of leading specialists from the state audit system, along with experts in information technology and communications, has been assembled to conduct it.
"The audit will assess the state of affairs in all key areas of the Armed Forces' activities. These include logistical support for military units, personnel training, military exercises, the development of military infrastructure, the modernization of weapons and equipment, and the performance of digital systems," the statement said.
The president was also informed about the results of a completed audit of the state defense order. Based on its findings, the Supreme Audit Chamber sent 57 specific recommendations and instructions to the government and relevant state bodies to address the violations identified.
Toqaev was also presented with a report on the progress of scheduled audits covering priority areas of economic development and the social sector.
Smailov reported on the outcomes of the 63rd meeting of the Governing Board of the Asian Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions, held in Astana with representatives from 19 countries in the region. It was the first time Kazakhstan hosted an event of this format.
"Following the meeting, the president set a number of specific tasks regarding the audit of the Ministry of Defense and the further development of the entire state audit system," the Akorda added.
Recall that after the deaths of servicemen in the Mangystau Region, Qasym-Jomart Toqaev signed an order to establish a commission for a comprehensive review of the state of affairs at Kazakhstan's Ministry of Defense. The Supreme Audit Chamber of the Republic of Kazakhstan then began a state audit of the Ministry of Defense.
The tragedy occurred on September 24 during a training and combat mission, when a sudden and sharp deterioration in weather conditions and gusty winds swept 17 servicemen into the Caspian Sea; 14 of them died.