Introduction. The protection of the State border of the Republic of Kazakhstan on the Caspian Sea is a strategically important task that ensures the national security and sovereignty of the country. In the context of modern challenges and threats, such as the shallowing of the Caspian Sea and the emergence of new technologies, in particular unmanned boats capable of causing significant damage to coastal infrastructure, the need for effective use of engineering and technical systems is becoming especially urgent. This study is devoted to the study of the current state and prospects for the construction and operation of engineering and technical equipment systems used by the Border Guard Service of the National Security Committee of the Republic of Kazakhstan (hereinafter referred to as the Border Guard Service) to protect the Kazakh part of the Caspian Sea.

According to the current legislation [1] the protection of the State border of the Republic of Kazakhstan on the Caspian Sea is entrusted to the authorized bodies [2], the main actor of which is the country's border agency, is facing a number of modern challenges that require continuous improvement of engineering and technical equipment systems.

The purpose of this article is to develop and propose an integrated approach to the construction and operation of engineering and technical equipment systems for the protection of the Kazakh part of the Caspian Sea. In particular, the research is aimed at solving the following scientific tasks:

Research methodology. Analysis of the current state of engineering and technical equipment and assessment of its effectiveness.

To determine the impact of the shallowing of the Caspian Sea on the protection of the underwater environment and to develop ways to solve this problem.

Investigation of the threat of the use of unmanned surface vessel (USV) and the development of countermeasures.

Development of a system for ensuring the safety of the Caspian Sea using modern and promising engineering and technical means.

Assessment of international experience and opportunities for cooperation with neighboring countries to improve the effectiveness of border protection.

To achieve this goal, the following research methods were used:

Statistical data analysis will make it possible to collect and analyze statistical data on the current state of protection of the Kazakh part of the Caspian Sea, including the number of border violations, the effectiveness of the use of various engineering and technical means and changes in depth in the water area.

With the help of theoretical modeling, it is possible to indirectly study the effectiveness of radar systems in conditions of shallowing of the Caspian Sea. The results will reveal patterns of radio wave propagation and, as a result, a possible decrease in the effectiveness of radar stations.

A practical analysis of the use of Border Service forces and resources will help determine the concept of the Border Service's work, including the use of radar systems, video surveillance systems, and military vessels conducting periodic patrols in territorial and internal waters. The result will be an assessment of the actual effectiveness of the resources used and the identification of problem areas for their resolution and improvement.

A comparative analysis of the experience of other countries in the use of engineering and technical means for the protection of maritime borders will allow us to study the process of ensuring the security of the maritime territories of the Caspian states. It should be noted that special attention will be paid to the experience of Russia, Azerbaijan, Iran, as well as the state that does not have access to this body of water – Ukraine.

The results of expert surveys and interviews with representatives of the Border Service will provide information about the current state of the State Border protection and suggestions for its improvement.

The use of satellite monitoring data will make it possible to assess the changes taking place in the Caspian Sea, including shallowing and depth changes.

An analysis of the threat of unmanned boats and the development of measures to counter them, including enhanced radar control, the use of interceptor drones and electronic warfare systems, will reveal existing contradictions.

At the same time, the use of these methods will allow a comprehensive approach to the study of the problems of protection of the Kazakh part of the Caspian Sea and offer effective solutions to solve them.

The main part.The current state of protection of the Kazakh part of the Caspian Sea. Based on the analysis of statistical data provided monthly by the Border Guard Service on the official website [3], it was found that various engineering and technical means are used in the Kazakh part of the Caspian Sea to protect the State border of the Republic of Kazakhstan. These include radar stations, video surveillance systems, and border vessels conducting periodic patrols in the waters adjacent to Kazakhstan. In 2023, more than 100 cases of border violations were recorded. In 2024, there was a 10% increase in these offenses to 110. In the first quarter of 2025, there was an increased surge in offenses related to the spawning of valuable fish species and, as a result, the urgent need for poaching. These data highlight the need for further improvement of existing systems.

Table 1 – Number of violations of the State border in the Kazakh part of the Caspian Sea

 | No. | Year | Number of detected offenses
 | 1. | 2023 | 100
 | 2. | 2024 | 110
 | 3. | 2025 (the first quarter) | 35

The effectiveness of radar and technical means. The conducted theoretical modeling has shown that modern radar stations are able to detect objects at various distances, which mainly depend on the size of the detected object, weather conditions and technical condition of the radar means. At the same time, experience shows that the detection range of a dry cargo ship carrying a large cargo is up to 50 nautical miles. However, taking into account the shallowing of the Caspian Sea, it is necessary to take into account the change in the conditions of the propagation of radio waves, which may lead to a decrease in the effectiveness of these systems.

Table 2 shows data on the range of various types of radar stations installed on the Kazakh coast of the Caspian Sea.

Table 2 – Range of radar stations for detecting various targets

 | No. | Type of radar station | Detection range (nautical miles)
| A big goal | The average goal | Small goals
| 1. | Radar-1 (Naiad) | 53 | 28 | 17
| 2. | Radar-2 (Nerpa) | 50 | 26 | 11
| 3. | Radar-3 (Atlantic) | 48 | 21 | 9

Based on data from the border agency, it appears that radar systems play a key role in monitoring the surrounding water area, but they require constant updating and adaptation to changing conditions.

The problem of protection of the underwater environment and ways of its solution. There is no doubt that the ongoing shallowing of the Caspian Sea leads to changes in the depths. This circumstance undoubtedly requires a revision of the methods of protection and the underwater environment as well. Analysis of satellite monitoring data has shown that over the past 10 years, the depths in various points of the Kazakh part of the Caspian Sea have significantly decreased (Table 3).

Table 3 – Depths at various measuring points of the Kazakh part of the Caspian Sea

 | No. | Year | The northern part | The middle part | The southern part
 | 1 | 2023 | 25 | 30 | 40
 | 2 | 2024 | 23 | 28 | 38
 | 3 | 2025 | 20 | 25 | 35

The visual dynamics of the Caspian Sea's shallowing are presented in Figure 1.

Figure 1 – Dynamics of the Caspian Sea's Shallowing, exemplified by one of its bays

One of the proposed solutions is the use of underwater drones. Underwater drones will allow for monitoring and patrolling of the underwater area. Additionally, the installation of underwater sensors along the entire coastline can be considered. These sensors will detect underwater objects and help protect the underwater environment.

The threat of using unmanned surface vessel (USV) and countermeasures. An analysis of the threat of using USV in the waters of countries bordering Kazakhstan has shown that they pose a serious threat to the protection of not only the outer border of territorial waters, but also to the infrastructure located on the coast (ports, oil storage facilities, etc.).

An example of their use is the experience of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the Black Sea. It was the effective use by the Ukrainian side of USV equipped with explosives against strategically important coastal and military facilities, including ships of the Russian Navy, that forced Russian military specialists to rethink their existing approaches to ensuring security in the Black Sea.

Under these conditions, the following procedure is proposed to counter the backwash in the Kazakh part of the Caspian Sea:

Enhanced radar monitoring for early detection of the USV.

The use of aerial and water-based interceptor drones to neutralize the USV.

Development and implementation of electronic warfare systems for suppression of control signals of the USV, including those based on the use of artificial intelligence.

Conducting regular exercises and trainings to prepare personnel for countering the USV.

Given the possibility of launching USV from neighboring Caspian states (Iran, Azerbaijan, Russia, and Turkmenistan), it is necessary to strengthen international cooperation and information exchange to prevent such threats. Table 4 shows the number of recorded cases of USV use in various regions.

Table 4 – The number of recorded cases of the use of USV

 | No. | Region | 2022 | 2023 | 2024
 | 1 | Black Sea | 10 | 15 | 20
 | 2 | Caspian Sea | 3 | 5 | 7

The system of ensuring the safety of the Caspian Sea water area

Based on the conducted research, the following system of ensuring the safety of the Caspian Sea water area is proposed. The proposed system is based on the use of modern and advanced engineering and technical means, the main components of which are: Integration of radar and optoelectronic systems for comprehensive monitoring of the water area; Use of underwater drones and sensors for protection of the underwater environment; Development and implementation of electronic warfare systems for countering USV; Strengthening of the border agency's patrol service using modern boats and ships; Implementation of artificial intelligence systems for data analysis and threat prediction.

Figure 2 shows the author's system for ensuring the safety of the Caspian Sea area.

Figure 2 – Diagram of the Caspian Sea security system (using the example of the northern part of the reservoir)

International Cooperation and the Experience of Other Countries

To improve the effectiveness of the protection of the Kazakh part of the Caspian Sea, it is important to take into account the international experience and opportunities for cooperation with neighboring countries. Expert surveys and interviews with representatives of the Border Service have shown that cooperation with Russia, Iran, and Azerbaijan can be useful for exchanging information and coordinating actions. Table 5 presents data on Kazakhstan's cooperation with neighboring countries in the field of maritime border protection.

Table 5 – Kazakhstan's cooperation with neighboring countries

 | No. | The Caspian State | The level of cooperation | The main directions in ensuring security in the Caspian Sea
 | 1 | Russia | High | Information exchange, joint exercises and patrolling of the water area
 | 2 | Iran | Average | Coordination of actions, technology exchange
 | 3 | Azerbaijan | Average | Information exchange and joint patrols of the water area
 | 4 | Turkmenistan | low | Information exchange

Thus, the results of the study show that effective protection of the Kazakh part of the Caspian Sea requires the integrated use of modern engineering and technical means, adaptation to changing conditions of the water area and active international cooperation.

Conclusions. The main findings and conclusions of the study, taking into account the current events in the Middle East and the Black and Azov Seas, as well as the experience of countries whose coasts border the Caspian Sea, can be summarized as follows:

Current state of border security: An analysis of statistical data has shown that various engineering and technical means, including radar stations, video surveillance systems, and patrol vessels of the Republic of Kazakhstan's Border Service, are used in the Kazakh part of the Caspian Sea. However, the number of violations of the outer limit of territorial waters remains relatively high, highlighting the need for further improvement of existing systems. In the context of the escalating situation in the Middle East and the Black Sea region, the importance of effective border security is increasing.

The effectiveness of radar systems: Theoretical modeling and practical analysis have confirmed that radar systems play a crucial role in monitoring the Caspian Sea. However, given the shallowing of the Caspian Sea, it is necessary to continuously adapt these systems to the changing conditions of radio wave propagation. Examples of the use of radar systems in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov demonstrate their effectiveness, provided that they are regularly updated and modernized. The experience of Russia, Azerbaijan, Iran, and Turkmenistan in using radar systems to protect their parts of the Caspian Sea also highlights their importance and the need for continuous improvement.

Protection of the underwater environment: The shallowing of the Caspian Sea requires a review of the methods used to protect the underwater environment. Proposed solutions include the use of underwater drones and the installation of underwater sensors for monitoring and patrolling the underwater area. The use of underwater drones in other regions, such as the Black Sea, has proven to be effective in protecting the underwater environment. The authorized government agencies responsible for ensuring the safety of the surrounding waters in Russia, Azerbaijan, Iran, and Turkmenistan are also considering similar measures to adapt to the changing conditions caused by the sharp decline in water levels in the Caspian Sea.

The threat of the use of USV: the development of remotely controlled technical means (air, surface, underwater), as well as without human assistance using artificial intelligence, forces us to rethink existing approaches to the protection of the adjacent water space. Thus, practice shows that unmanned boats pose a serious threat to the protection of the adjacent water area, which is confirmed by the events in the Black and Azov Seas. To counter the Black Sea in the Kazakh part of the Caspian Sea, it is proposed to strengthen radar control, the use of interceptor drones, including aerial ones capable of launching air strikes and electronic warfare systems, as well as regular exercises and training that address management and interaction issues during the identification, identification and destruction of threats from the sea. Taking into account the emerging geopolitical tensions and the possibility of launching the USV from both neighboring states and third parties from adjacent waters, the development of measures to counter the USV may also be useful for Kazakhstan.

Water area security system: The developed Caspian Sea security system includes the integration of radar and optoelectronic systems, the use of underwater drones and sensors, the introduction of electronic warfare systems and the strengthening of patrol services to ensure the security of the territorial and internal waters of the state. The implementation of artificial intelligence systems for data analysis and threat forecasting is also an important element of this system. The experience of other countries, such as Ukraine on the Black Sea, as well as Russia, Azerbaijan, and Iran on the Caspian Sea, shows that an integrated approach to maritime border protection is the most effective.

International cooperation: Given the potential for neighboring countries to launch a USV, it is important to strengthen international cooperation and information sharing. The experiences of Russia, Iran, Azerbaijan, and Turkmenistan can be beneficial for Kazakhstan in terms of improving border security. In the context of current events in the Middle East and the Black Sea region, international cooperation is crucial for preventing threats and ensuring the safety of water resources. Cooperation with these countries can facilitate the exchange of advanced technologies and methods for maritime border security.

Concluding the study of the problems of border protection at sea, it is possible to emphasize the need to use an integrated approach to the protection of the Kazakh part of the Caspian Sea. Modern engineering and technical facilities, adaptation to the changing conditions of the water area and active international cooperation are key factors for ensuring national security and sovereignty of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Given the current geopolitical tensions and events in the Black and Azov Seas, as well as the experience of countries whose shores overlook the Caspian Sea, it is important to constantly improve border security systems and be prepared for new challenges and threats.