12 January 2008, 09:37
This is envisaged in the Bill (Reg. No.1316) Registered in The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.
According to the Bill, the full strength of Ukraine's Armed Forces has been determined with regard to provisions of The Military Doctrine of Ukraine, the optimal correlation of tasks assigned to Ukraine's Armed Forces, and the capability of the State to finance them.
The Bill recommends that, as of 20 December 2008, the total strength of Ukraine's Armed Forces totals 183,000, including 143,000 servicemen.
The Explanatory Note to the Bill states that the principal methods of reducing the strength of Ukraine's Armed Forces to the recommended figures by the end of 2008, are the optimization of membership and structure of Management bodies, removal of overlapping tasks and functions, reduction of administrative links, introduction of the latest Information Technology into Military Administration bodies, extension of Digital systems and Communication Networks; creation of Automated Control Systems for troops and administrative and economic activities.
The Bill proposes optimization in the structure and strength of the Fast Response Joint Forces and Primary Defence Forces within Ukraine's Armed Forces, a reduction in their strength to the recommended figures, a reduction in the membership of Support Divisions together with the introduction of new plans for their organization, and provision of engineering, rear, etc support facilities.
The Document envisages the transfer of several tasks, related to logistical support of Ukraine's Armed Forces (organisation of catering , delivery of consumables to Military units, guarding of Military camps, repairs to structures and buildings, cleaning of the territory and waste collection; etc). to businesses within the country's industrial complex and SMEs on a competitive and contractual basis
The Bill recommends that cohesion is achieved between the system of Military Education and Science and the mission of Ukraine's Armed Forces, as well as the actual demand for the training of Military experts; that clarified tasks are delegated to the Research Institutions; and the network of Military Training Divisions within Higher Educational and Research Institutions is finally optimized.
The steps aimed at the reform of Ukraine's Armed Forces in 2008 provide for a continued planning for the recruitment of Military personnel, a reduction in the strength of The Armed Forces thus allowing modifications within the Military Budget structure, and an increase of expenditure towards the development of The Armed Forces, primarily towards the modernisation and procurement of armaments and military equipment.
During 2008, the total strength of Ukraine's Armed Forces will be reduced by 17,000, including 9,000 servicemen.
The envisaged socio-psychological support for the reduction of military personnel in Ukraine's Armed Forces includes legal assistance and social guarantees for servicemen and their families, the social and vocational rehabilitation of redundant servicemen entering into civil life, and psychological help to servicemen and their families.
The implementation of this Bill requires 1,139,000,000 Hryvnias. The estimated expenditure was based on the minimum of required actions towards the reform of Ukraine's Armed Forces, as envisaged in The State Programme for the Development of Ukraine's Armed Forces in 2006/11.