Kazakhstan has approved a law allowing the transit of Turkish military personnel and equipment through its airspace, marking a new step in defense cooperation with Türkiye.

The decision was adopted at a plenary session of the Mazhilis (parliament), The Caspian Post reports via Kazakh media.

Deputy Defense Minister Askar Mustabekov said Turkish military aircraft and cargo will be able to pass through Kazakhstan’s skies-but only with official approval. Two options are envisaged:

Annual permits

One-time permits for specific flights

Each request will undergo strict checks, including the aircraft type, cargo details, tonnage, and number of personnel on board. Authorities will assess whether each transit complies with national requirements.

Kazakhstan retains the right to deny, suspend, or cancel any transit request at any time if it is deemed unsafe. While officials promise to react “as quickly as possible,” no fixed deadlines for approvals or refusals are specified in the law.

Officials noted that the agreement does not require additional budget spending. However, it expands Kazakhstan’s ability to participate in international operations, including peacekeeping missions.