Defense Minister Congratulates Participants in the Engineering Championship Shaiqas-2026

The results of the first national engineering championship Shaiqas-2026 were announced at the “Amandyk” training area in Shchuchinsk, Akmola Region.

Seventeen teams participated in the large-scale event, including students, representatives of engineering schools, industrial enterprises, and force structure units.

Defense Minister Lieutenant General of Aviation Dauren Kosanov expressed his gratitude to the leadership of the Akmola Region, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, the Defence Tech Center innovation hub, the domestic companies Barys Dynamics and Saiman, as well as the command of the Military College for organizing the championship.

He also thanked the panel of judges for their objectivity and professional approach to evaluating the contestants. Particular interest was shown in unique technological solutions; however, the main evaluation criterion was the participants’ ability to integrate hardware, software, and teamwork into a unified system.

According to the minister, the practical value of the championship comes from the fact that its tasks reflected the actual areas of activity of the Armed Forces: aerial reconnaissance, ground-based robotic systems, cybersecurity, and tactical and engineering training.

– “Today, the result of a battle is determined by who is the first to assess the battlefield, who is able to remain undetected by enemy intelligence, and who maintains communications and ensures troop maneuverability. Therefore, a modern army’s strength lies not only in the training of its soldiers but also in the technological solutions that ensure their superiority on the battlefield, - said the defense minister, emphasizing the strategic importance of engineering.

As a result of the Shaiqas-2026 championship, the team from the “Kazakhstan Engineering” R&D Center won first place and the title of champion. The “Qaisar VS RK” team from the Armed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan took silver, and the Saiman team took bronze. The championship winners received cash prizes: 10 million tenge for first place, 5 million tenge for second place, and 3 million tenge for third place.

The Sunqar Engineering Team won in the “Best Ground Systems” category, the Visvo team won in the “Best Air Systems” category, and the “Burkit” team won in the “Best Cybersecurity” category. The winners in each category received 600,000 tenge. The Minister of Defense awarded all teams certificates confirming their participation in the championship.

As the event organizers noted, the best designs will not remain at the prototype stage: in collaboration with industrial partners, they will undergo testing, receive the necessary support, and be brought to mass production with the prospect of being implemented in the interests of the Armed Forces of Kazakhstan.