Informational – analytic review of defense news by Defense and Security Policy Center
1. Combat Training: Flight exercises in the Army Aviation
Since December 16, the flying training has started in Brody 3rd Army Aviation Regt of 13th Army Corpse. The exercise is intended for improvement the helicopter pilots’ proficiency.
Comment: in order to certify the skill progress of 22 helicopter pilots’ and navigators’ up to first and second class, 11 experts from Army Aviation department (Kiev) got round for a validation. Two helicopters, one Mi-8 and one Mi-24 are supporting the exercise. The challengers will go through a theoretical and practical testing wherein they demonstrate their flying ability in the “day-night”, IFR and adverse weather conditions. This event will continue until participants will have made over 60 flying hrs up to December 26.
2. Combat Training: update of the combat training interim results
Units of 24th, 128th and 51st Mech Bdes of 13th Army Corpse fulfilled a day-night live firing exercises during their field training on 16 December.
Comment: using the training facilities of Yavoriv Training Center, two Coys from 24th Mech Bde were practicing marksmanship. At the same time, Mech Inf Bn and Recce Coy from 51st Bde, both located in Volin’ region and elements from 15th Mountain Bn, 21st Inf Bn and CSS units from 128th Transcarpathian Mech Bde got day-night shooting from light arms, grenade launchers and IFV systems on the Uzhgorod and Mukachevo shooting-ranges. More than 500 soldiers form 13th Army Corpse have their weapons training.
3. Inspection: testing of readiness state
During December 16 - 18 in Sumy region the Inspector General's Department of MOD was conducting an inspection of 27th missile artillery Regt of 8th Army Corpse and Regional recruiting Center of Operational Command “North”.
Comment: an inspecting group lead by Lt Gen U. Shapoval was to ascertain the units’ structure accordance to the tasks they have to perform, their combat readiness, discipline, rule of law status and militaries’ social security. In Sumy Regional recruiting Center inspectors have checked an implementation of the Plan of Armed Forces transfer onto a contract based manning modality as well.
4. Peacekeeping: 2nd round of Municipal Authority election in Kosovo
Kosovo is undergoing a second round of Municipal Authority elections.
Comment: Ukrainian peacekeepers together with other KFOR units support the electoral process in Kosovo. 9 voting centres in 9 towns were operating around Shprtse area, which is in Ukrainian AOR. QRF unit was prepared for emergency purpose.
13th Ukrainian deployment in Kosovo was completed in November 09. The basic unit of presently operating Ukrainian element was formed from 95th Airmobile Bde of 8th Army Corpse. According to MOD directive, next rotation will be performed from 03 to 17 August 2010 and peacekeeping unit is to be manned from para units of 79th Independent Air Mobile Bde. Ukrainian contribution to combined Ukrainian-Polish peacekeeping Bn “UkrPolBat” is a part of KFOR multinational battle group “East” in Kosovo and was deployed to the area on 01 Jan 1999.
5. International cooperation: Ukraine-USA military cooperation
An official meeting between acting Minister of Defence Mr. V. Ivashenko and Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary ambassador of USA in Ukraine Mr. John F. Tefft took place in Kiev, on December, 17.
Comment: during their appointment officials were discussing a bilateral military cooperation between countries and its development prospects. An importance of defence cooperation as part of the USA and Ukraine interaction is exceedingly high, as Mr. John F. Tefft noted. Its start was announced by the interstate Statement concerning American-Ukrainian Cooperation and Development of Democratic Partnership, which was signed by two presidents on 7 May 1992 in Washington. Another key document, the Memorandum of Understanding between the Ukrainian Defence Ministry and the US Department of Defence on assistance in disposing of and demilitarizing of “Scud” missile complexes and their equipment, materials and rocket fuel components was signed on 30th November 2009.
Another official meeting between Ukrainian Chief of General Staff Col Gen I. Svida and USA Defence Attaché Col R. Anders took place in Kiev, on December, 17.
Comment: during meeting they had discussion on trends of military cooperation development in 2010. In accordance with International Technical Assistance Program, 88 contracts in total amount 92.4 mln USD were sealed and implemented during the period 1997 – 2009. About 20 International supporting Programs are being brought into action in Ukrainian Armed Forces. The efforts are bearing on improvement of units training according to the NATO standards, enlargement of interoperability between NATO and Ukrainian units, increase of Special Ops Forces deploying capabilities, promoting a military reform and command and control system.
6. International cooperation: Military Attachés have learnt the Ukrainian Air Force status
Kiev Military Attaché Association officials visited the UAF Air Command in Vinnitsa.
Comment: group of 30 military diplomats have familiarized themselves with status and development perspectives of the Ukrainian Air Forces. During a visit they were considering a multilateral cooperation through mutual concernment. In particular, they expressed interest in the air training organization, studying process in Kharkiv Air University, An-70 project implementation and participation in various NATO Programs.
Note: Association was found in November 1992. Today’s Association merges the military diplomats from 50 countries, accredited for their assignment in Ukraine. Its main activity is to ensure a close cooperation with Ukrainian MOD, Governmental and Nongovernmental Organizations.
7. Social integration of former militaries: retired militaries have been certified
On December 15, in Odessa, 25 former servicemen have been graduated from the conversion training course, a joint project of the Ukrainian Defence Ministry and OSCE “Social integration assistance for retired servicemen”.
Comment: through a joint project, in 2009 more than 1100 militaries have been supported and got their training for a civil employment. Graduates were familiarized with economic fundamentals, business management and administration framework.
8. UAF and Society: adversity response operations
The Armed Forces continue to provide help for civilian population in Southern and Western regions, which are mostly harmed by the resent severe snowstorms.
Comment: since adverse weather and heavy snowfalls in Southern and Western regions the local authorities have decided to created a response staffs in order to take control on situation. Joint mobile teams including 28th Mech Inf Bde engineers, 808th Eng Bn and other units have immediately formed up. Medical personnel from 411th Military Hospital, which located in Odessa, have been rapidly deployed at high readiness for evacuation and medical assistance. Totally, over the last few days more than 370 km of highways and other roads have been cleared, 140 persons were evacuated from risk area and 427 transports got free from snow trap by military stepping-in.
