Kazakhstan beauties

A beauty contest to find a Miss Army pin-up in Kazakhstan has resulted in 12 women being picked as 'the winner'.

The country's Ministry of Defence (MoD) said it could not decide between the women and announced that a dozen serving ladies would instead create a calendar showing off their looks.

Over 255, 000 votes were cast on the MoD's website where pictures of 'the beauties' in uniform, with weapons and in civilian clothes were uploaded.

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A beauty contest to find a Miss Army pin-up in Kazakhstan has resulted in 12 women, including Botagoz Musaeva (left) and Baian Zhaparova (right), being picked as 'the winner'

The competition was staged to encourage more people to join the army, which only has around 120 active women.

Saltanat Gabdollasheva received the most votes at 17, 307. Bogatoz Musaeva came second with 16, 926 and Madina Amanzholova was third with 14, 613.

All the women have returned to their daily duties and will remain doing them until the calendar photo shoot.

Voter Nicephorus Bocharov, 34, said: 'There are certainly some fine looking women in there, although I'm not sure it would make me want to sign up and fight.

Saltanat Gabdollasheva, pictured with a bunch of flowers, received the most votes at 17, 307 and was included in the 12 chosen for the calendar

Over 255, 000 votes were cast on the MoD's website where pictures of 'the beauties', like Gulzada Kamasheva (above), were uploaded

The competition, which saw Aigerim Karakuchukova (left) and Aidai Usenova (right) finish in the top 12, was staged to encourage more people to join the army, which only has around 120 active women

Bota Korabaeva (left) and Asem Sekhimbaeva (right) also impressed the judges with their uniform poses

All the women have returned to their daily duties and will remain doing them until the calendar photo shoot

Another fan, Emil Efremov, 32, said: 'I think this is a very good idea.

'After the world was introduced to Borat, people have the impression that everyone here lives on a farm.

'These photos show that Kazakh women are as beautiful as any others. I have voted for all of them.'

Aliya Hairullina (left) and Madina Amanzholova (right), who received the third highest number of votes, teamed their uniforms with make-up

Toyshybekova Gulnar Dzhanadullaevna (above) opted for a full-length shot and black court shoes to win over the judges