A Kazakh defence official has been arrested after irregularities were found to surround a 2006 weapons deal signed with Israel according to a report by news agency afp.

Deputy Defence Minister Lieutenant-General Kazhimurat Mayermanov oversaw a $190m defence contract with Israeli defence companies Soltam Systems and IMI for modern artillery using unmanned aerial drone technology for the Kazakh Army.

The companies were to show Kazakhstan how to build its own wares – but to date, 80% of what has been built has been found to be defective.

Mayermanov has been charged with abuse of office and exceeding office after the nation paid more than $82m in damages as a result of the contracts.