Informational – analytic review of defense news by Defense and Security Policy Center
1. National Defence Capability: Examination of National area Defence system
From 21 to 25 Sept 2009 the monitoring Inspection of the Security and Defence policy Service at the President of Ukraine Secretariat was checking the area Defence arrangements in “Western” Operational Command.
Comment: the aim of exercise was to revise an efficiency of C2 systems of fmilitary and public authorities. During its proceedings in the Western region, Inspection Team conducted tests and discussed defence matters with representatives of Lviv, Volin’ and Rivne regional administrations, district military commissars and others officials who are involved in the defence management. Operational command posts have also been inspected. At the end of event there Joint staff training was conducted.
2. Combat readiness: inspection of AD system efficiency
September 22, 2009 the General Staff Commission headed by Chief of GS – C-in-C of UAF General Army of Ukraine S. Kirichenko inspected a duty performance of AD units that are under control of Air Command “South”.
Comment: The commission’s job was intended to check antiaircraft artillery and missiles units, who are in charge to cover the most vital state facility and their ability to accomplish assigned tasks. Team also familiarized with combat training of C-200 and C-300 AD missile battalions.
S. Kirichenko expressed his conviction over the deployment necessity of the two additional C-200 AD battalions to ensphere a topping. Moreover, he noted “We would like to have an extended opportunity for a large-scale exercise, but it requires considerably larger resources than we currently depend on”.
3. Combat training: battalion tactical exercise with live firing
During the last week units of 25 independent Airborne Bde of 6 Army Corpse conducted tactical exercise with live firing in the Black Sea marine training Center. 128 Mech Bde of 13 Army Corps was conducting same training in International Peacekeeping and Security Centre close to Lviv.
Comment: GS – C-in-C of UAF General Army of Ukraine S. Kirichenko and his working team monitored the Crimea stage of exercise.
Subunits of 128 Mech Bde exercised Recce, maintenance weapons and equipment and trained a preparation for the conduct of delaying actions. The Mountain Inf Bn with its reinforcement units has got a mountain warfare training where a military hardware has also been used.
4. Combat Training: flying training of Su-27 and L-39 crews
During a latest flight day, pilots of Mikolaiv tactical aviation Bde of Air Command “South” conducted 22 sorties of instruction flying of Su-25 and L-39 and have summed up with over 11 hrs.
Comment: Flights were held over Kyiv-Alexander training Center where as the main tasks have been a testing of the aircrafts and mounted hardware, examination the pilots’ current level of training, skill refreshment in visual day-light conditions and in the night-time. An achieved result was that trained aircrews have refreshed their skills for the day and night operations, group flights and air-ground targeting.
5. Combat Training: airborne training
Over 10-days period the Independent SF Regt of UAF that is located in the Khmelnitsky region, fulfilled more then 1330 parajumps from AN-2 aircraft.
Comment: This AN-2 belongs to Western Aviation Ltd “Sky Group”. Use of commercial aircraft arose from the fact that now Defence administration is out of funds, is not able to buy jet fuel and make air transport assets operational for parachuting. A single parajump costs 90 UAH, which is cheap enough, therefore a smart solution was found in order to complete a regimental annual Airborne training program.
6. Peacemaking: Inspection of the Ukrainian peacekeepers in Kosovo
The delegation, headed by Commander of UAF Joint Operational Command Lt Gen V. Mozharovsky acquainted with the duty performance of Ukrainian unit of combined Ukrainian-Polish peacekeeping Bn “UkrPolBat”, which is a part of multinational battle group “East” in Kosovo.
Comment: The visit to the Ukrainian contingent location was purposed to assess its real state, resolve a current problems and determine a future activity of "UkrPolbat.
During the visit V. Mozharovsky discussed with Col Tom Lyumis, acting commander of the Multinational battle group "East" a changing of KFOR format in 2009 - 2010 and "UkrPolbat" future missions. At the end of the visit, Lt Gen V. Mozharovsky met with KFOR Commander Lt Gen Marcus Bentler in Pristina, KFOR HQ, camp "Film City".
7. Peacekeeping Activities: the tasks of Ukrainian personnel in Afghanistan
Through 9 months of operating, Ukrainian military personnel in Afghanistan provided a medical assistance to about 3800 locals, executed 16 humanitarian projects and donated over 40 tons of humanitarian aid.
Comment: Currently 10 officers of Ukrainian personnel doing their duties in Afghanistan: 1 – at the ISAF HQ, 2 are in NSE and rest of 7 officers and doctors are attached to Lithuanian Reconstruction Team in Ghor Province, Chaghcharan township.
During 9 month Ukrainian doctors performed over 3800 physical examinations, conducted 115 surgeries, carried out 10 humanitarian actions and 26 patients were given with in-treatment.
Ukrainian personnel has been a part of ISAF since May 2007 and performs a job together with Lithuanians, Danish, Croatia and Georgia military.
8. International cooperation: Army Commanders’ Conference of Europe nations Armed Forces
From 24 to 25 Sept 2009, Ukrainian military delegation headed by Gen I. Svyda, Ground Forces Commander participated at the 17th European nations Land Forces Commanders Conference, in Germany.
Comment: During the Conference participants considered new ways of land forces progressive development based on obtained experience. Commanders also discussed a joint preparation capacity, conduct of multinational peacekeeping operations and civil-military cooperation.
9. International cooperation: familiarization with the US Sergeants’ training system
During an official visit to the USA Military Academy from 21 to 25 Sept 2009, Ukrainian military got familiarized with US Sergeant Corps educational system.
Comment: Gen Maj V. Shvets, Chief of personnel of Ground Forces Command headed a delegation. Ukrainian military familiarized with the objectives, structure and management of training system, get acquainted of the training programs in the both US Land Forces Military Academy and Fort “Benning " Centre.
This event becomes essential since Ukrainian Armed Forces started structuring of a layered architecture of training system for junior command personnel and its aimed to mend an obsolete system and finally to build up an advanced Sergeant Corps.
10. Ukraine - NATO: consideration of the draft of Summary of Ukraine participation in the PARP in 2009
For three days from 22 to 24 Sept the representatives of MOD, General Staff and three Components of UAF, together with NATO experts had been revising the Summary draft of Ukraine participation in the Planning and Review Process in 2009.
Comment: NATO delegation consisting of 15 experts was headed by Mr. Frank Boland, Director of the Defense Policy and Planning Department of NATO International Secretariat. The delegation included representatives form the NATO Secretariat, NATO HQ, NATO Strategic Command for Transformation and NATO Liaison Office in Ukraine. Mr. Boland held a meting with the Cabinet of Ministers officials and acting Defense Minister V. Ivashchenko.
11. Weapons and military equipment: armored fighting vehicle (AFV) "Cossack” test drive
A new combat vehicle "Cossack” that has been designed for Peacekeepers and Special Forces by Kyiv plant “Practika” now is undergoing field tests.
Comment: AFV "Cossack” has a modular design and can be utilized as universal platform for a wide variety of weapon systems and detachable equipment. The wagon shaped vehicle can act for C2, as ambulance or personnel carrier. In basic form, depending on the package configuration it may be utilized as Recce or fast patrol car and for SF transport purpose.
A generic AFV has three main sections - trunk space, crew capsule (so-called “citadel”), and the engine space. Whatever wheel comes across of a laid mine, the blast wave will be deviated bypassing a crew capsule. AFV bottom is armoured and V-shaped to reduce mines impact.
AFV "Cossack” has 4 x 4 undercarriage that based on IVECO lay-out, driven by 3-liters turbo diesel engine of 176 hp capacity. Such a configuration allows the 5,5 ton light truck to move with 120 km/h, to cross water obstacles up to 1,5 meter deep and towing of 4-tons trailer. The fuel distance is about 1000 km. It’s equipped wit steering booster, modern radio and GPS-navigation systems, all of indigenous production, parking distance control, rear view camera, A/C with climate control, intercommunications sound “inside-outside” system. It can be mounted with 12.7mm HMG and ammunition load of 500 rounds; 7.67mm MG with 2500 rounds, automatic grenade launcher AGS-17 with 100 anti-personnel grenades.
1. National Defence Capability: Examination of National area Defence system
From 21 to 25 Sept 2009 the monitoring Inspection of the Security and Defence policy Service at the President of Ukraine Secretariat was checking the area Defence arrangements in “Western” Operational Command.
Comment: the aim of exercise was to revise an efficiency of C2 systems of fmilitary and public authorities. During its proceedings in the Western region, Inspection Team conducted tests and discussed defence matters with representatives of Lviv, Volin’ and Rivne regional administrations, district military commissars and others officials who are involved in the defence management. Operational command posts have also been inspected. At the end of event there Joint staff training was conducted.
2. Combat readiness: inspection of AD system efficiency
September 22, 2009 the General Staff Commission headed by Chief of GS – C-in-C of UAF General Army of Ukraine S. Kirichenko inspected a duty performance of AD units that are under control of Air Command “South”.
Comment: The commission’s job was intended to check antiaircraft artillery and missiles units, who are in charge to cover the most vital state facility and their ability to accomplish assigned tasks. Team also familiarized with combat training of C-200 and C-300 AD missile battalions.
S. Kirichenko expressed his conviction over the deployment necessity of the two additional C-200 AD battalions to ensphere a topping. Moreover, he noted “We would like to have an extended opportunity for a large-scale exercise, but it requires considerably larger resources than we currently depend on”.
3. Combat training: battalion tactical exercise with live firing
During the last week units of 25 independent Airborne Bde of 6 Army Corpse conducted tactical exercise with live firing in the Black Sea marine training Center. 128 Mech Bde of 13 Army Corps was conducting same training in International Peacekeeping and Security Centre close to Lviv.
Comment: GS – C-in-C of UAF General Army of Ukraine S. Kirichenko and his working team monitored the Crimea stage of exercise.
Subunits of 128 Mech Bde exercised Recce, maintenance weapons and equipment and trained a preparation for the conduct of delaying actions. The Mountain Inf Bn with its reinforcement units has got a mountain warfare training where a military hardware has also been used.
4. Combat Training: flying training of Su-27 and L-39 crews
During a latest flight day, pilots of Mikolaiv tactical aviation Bde of Air Command “South” conducted 22 sorties of instruction flying of Su-25 and L-39 and have summed up with over 11 hrs.
Comment: Flights were held over Kyiv-Alexander training Center where as the main tasks have been a testing of the aircrafts and mounted hardware, examination the pilots’ current level of training, skill refreshment in visual day-light conditions and in the night-time. An achieved result was that trained aircrews have refreshed their skills for the day and night operations, group flights and air-ground targeting.
5. Combat Training: airborne training
Over 10-days period the Independent SF Regt of UAF that is located in the Khmelnitsky region, fulfilled more then 1330 parajumps from AN-2 aircraft.
Comment: This AN-2 belongs to Western Aviation Ltd “Sky Group”. Use of commercial aircraft arose from the fact that now Defence administration is out of funds, is not able to buy jet fuel and make air transport assets operational for parachuting. A single parajump costs 90 UAH, which is cheap enough, therefore a smart solution was found in order to complete a regimental annual Airborne training program.
6. Peacemaking: Inspection of the Ukrainian peacekeepers in Kosovo
The delegation, headed by Commander of UAF Joint Operational Command Lt Gen V. Mozharovsky acquainted with the duty performance of Ukrainian unit of combined Ukrainian-Polish peacekeeping Bn “UkrPolBat”, which is a part of multinational battle group “East” in Kosovo.
Comment: The visit to the Ukrainian contingent location was purposed to assess its real state, resolve a current problems and determine a future activity of "UkrPolbat.
During the visit V. Mozharovsky discussed with Col Tom Lyumis, acting commander of the Multinational battle group "East" a changing of KFOR format in 2009 - 2010 and "UkrPolbat" future missions. At the end of the visit, Lt Gen V. Mozharovsky met with KFOR Commander Lt Gen Marcus Bentler in Pristina, KFOR HQ, camp "Film City".
7. Peacekeeping Activities: the tasks of Ukrainian personnel in Afghanistan
Through 9 months of operating, Ukrainian military personnel in Afghanistan provided a medical assistance to about 3800 locals, executed 16 humanitarian projects and donated over 40 tons of humanitarian aid.
Comment: Currently 10 officers of Ukrainian personnel doing their duties in Afghanistan: 1 – at the ISAF HQ, 2 are in NSE and rest of 7 officers and doctors are attached to Lithuanian Reconstruction Team in Ghor Province, Chaghcharan township.
During 9 month Ukrainian doctors performed over 3800 physical examinations, conducted 115 surgeries, carried out 10 humanitarian actions and 26 patients were given with in-treatment.
Ukrainian personnel has been a part of ISAF since May 2007 and performs a job together with Lithuanians, Danish, Croatia and Georgia military.
8. International cooperation: Army Commanders’ Conference of Europe nations Armed Forces
From 24 to 25 Sept 2009, Ukrainian military delegation headed by Gen I. Svyda, Ground Forces Commander participated at the 17th European nations Land Forces Commanders Conference, in Germany.
Comment: During the Conference participants considered new ways of land forces progressive development based on obtained experience. Commanders also discussed a joint preparation capacity, conduct of multinational peacekeeping operations and civil-military cooperation.
9. International cooperation: familiarization with the US Sergeants’ training system
During an official visit to the USA Military Academy from 21 to 25 Sept 2009, Ukrainian military got familiarized with US Sergeant Corps educational system.
Comment: Gen Maj V. Shvets, Chief of personnel of Ground Forces Command headed a delegation. Ukrainian military familiarized with the objectives, structure and management of training system, get acquainted of the training programs in the both US Land Forces Military Academy and Fort “Benning " Centre.
This event becomes essential since Ukrainian Armed Forces started structuring of a layered architecture of training system for junior command personnel and its aimed to mend an obsolete system and finally to build up an advanced Sergeant Corps.
10. Ukraine - NATO: consideration of the draft of Summary of Ukraine participation in the PARP in 2009
For three days from 22 to 24 Sept the representatives of MOD, General Staff and three Components of UAF, together with NATO experts had been revising the Summary draft of Ukraine participation in the Planning and Review Process in 2009.
Comment: NATO delegation consisting of 15 experts was headed by Mr. Frank Boland, Director of the Defense Policy and Planning Department of NATO International Secretariat. The delegation included representatives form the NATO Secretariat, NATO HQ, NATO Strategic Command for Transformation and NATO Liaison Office in Ukraine. Mr. Boland held a meting with the Cabinet of Ministers officials and acting Defense Minister V. Ivashchenko.
11. Weapons and military equipment: armored fighting vehicle (AFV) "Cossack” test drive
A new combat vehicle "Cossack” that has been designed for Peacekeepers and Special Forces by Kyiv plant “Practika” now is undergoing field tests.
Comment: AFV "Cossack” has a modular design and can be utilized as universal platform for a wide variety of weapon systems and detachable equipment. The wagon shaped vehicle can act for C2, as ambulance or personnel carrier. In basic form, depending on the package configuration it may be utilized as Recce or fast patrol car and for SF transport purpose.
A generic AFV has three main sections - trunk space, crew capsule (so-called “citadel”), and the engine space. Whatever wheel comes across of a laid mine, the blast wave will be deviated bypassing a crew capsule. AFV bottom is armoured and V-shaped to reduce mines impact.
AFV "Cossack” has 4 x 4 undercarriage that based on IVECO lay-out, driven by 3-liters turbo diesel engine of 176 hp capacity. Such a configuration allows the 5,5 ton light truck to move with 120 km/h, to cross water obstacles up to 1,5 meter deep and towing of 4-tons trailer. The fuel distance is about 1000 km. It’s equipped wit steering booster, modern radio and GPS-navigation systems, all of indigenous production, parking distance control, rear view camera, A/C with climate control, intercommunications sound “inside-outside” system. It can be mounted with 12.7mm HMG and ammunition load of 500 rounds; 7.67mm MG with 2500 rounds, automatic grenade launcher AGS-17 with 100 anti-personnel grenades.
