Informational – analytic review of defense news by Defense and Security Policy Center
1. Defence Policy: Financing of the Armed Forces
In this early December the President of Ukraine V. Yushenko by his decree № 1000/2009 has brought into effect a National Security council resolution “On emergency measures for crisis overcome in Armed Forces” dated form 20th November 2009.
Comment: National Security Council has appraised a financing support of the UAF in 2009 as too insufficient. Bolstering defence capability, Council is encouraging financing increase in 2009 for primary tasks implementation: 112,6 mln UAH come for a restoration of Joint Rapid Reaction Forces emergency storage; 24,7 mln UAH will be allocated for immediate training arrangements of fighter pilots. Additional 698,6 mln UAH to be taken from Stabilization Fund and will directly be invested in as following: 60 mln UAH to recover 12 Mi-8 and Mi-24 helicopters. Rest of 638,6 mln UAH will be disbursed for a completion of outstanding developmental works of multifunction AD missile system, “corvette”-type advanced vessel, An-70 transport aircraft, Mi-24 helicopter upgrade and partially to procure the “Oplot” MBT for UAF forward use.
Decree prescribes the Government for urgent allocation for the MoD of 227,9 mln UAH for an adequate performance in 2009 remaining time. Same document expounds that during the budget planning for the next year, Cabinet must incorporate all sources of funds and has to decide of how the Area Defence financing mechanism will work; the Cabinet is also to draft an amount of charges to support the State Programs for Social and Professional adaptation of retired servicemen as well as Conversion and Reformation programs. Every tactical emergency storages have to fully be filled with supplies in 2010 as totaling 1.484,0 bln UAH; operational military stocks refilling, which will cost 1.452,0 bln UAH must be completed in 2011 and Strategic stockpile valued at 3.8 bln UAH will be deposited through 2012-2015.
2. Defence Planning: funding of the UAF in 2009-2010
On December 3, during his meeting with students and teaching staff of military institute of Kiev National University, the President of Ukraine V. Yushenko has underlined that 2010 military budget will be fitted to support the all National Defence requirements.
Comment: “Minister of Defence must not sell a land, trade assets, premises or realties”, as V. Yushenko has stressed. At the same time he specified main principles at UAF development policy, such as a mass production of “corvette”-type advanced vessel, bringing into service the newly designed multifunction theatre missile system and procurement of the “Oplot” MBT for UAF.
On December 3, while visiting 40th tactical Air Bde of Air Command “South”, in Kiev region, V. Yushenko was stating that current military budget is failed more than 30%.
Comment: 40th tactical Air Bde is a main tool in conduct of air alert duty at national strategic Air Defence system and responsible for covering the air space of six regions. Its AOR includes Kiev and Chernobyl nuclear power station. Bde has MiG-29 fighters and combat-training aircrafts L-39.
On December 3, in National Palace, V. Yushenko took part in celebrating ceremony on the occasion of 18th anniversary of the Ukrainian Armed Forces
Comment: as he pointed out, comparing with the previous defence budget a current one has funds, purposed for supply and technology development three times less, the combat training is less by half, but in very deed, the UAF received only 10% of that planned. Due to a budget constraint 88 air assets are not capable to take off, 70% of vessels are not operational, 40% of armored vehicles and artillery systems in defective condition. In 2009 UAF lost 564 junior officers and 144 highly qualified pilots, about 2000 soldiers rescinded contracts. Their salary is 870 UAH, which is below a national subsistence line.
3. Combat training: Air Force training in 2009-2010
At the start of a new training cycle, on December 3, speaking to his staff, Air Forces C-in-C Gen I. Rusnak pointed out a full execution of 2010 training program.
Comment: as to an ongoing experiment in Air Forces, I. Rusnak noted that UAF structure update is aimed to reassign the functions between combat components and supporting elements. Under a task sharing Bde commander would take more efforts for combat training, while supporting activities will be under Air Base commander responsibility.
I. Rusnak outlined a main training purpose in 2010 that is to restore a process of enhancement of the Air Force combat capability. Primarily, there will be units from air component of Joint Rapid Reaction Forces and elements have been engaged in National Air Defence system. It is planned to conduct a package of air defence tactical exercises “Interaction-2010” in autumn 2010.
4. UAF manning: conscription campaign “Autumn 2009”
The last batch of recruits accessioned their units from assembly points in Area Recruiting Centers, on November 27.
Comment: during October-November 26 450 recruits have been called. Among them 19 500 joint the UAF, 5 700 came to Ukrainian Interior troops and Special State Transport Service drafted 1 250 young soldiers. With that, all soldiers who completed their tenure were discharged. This autumn conscription campaign involved 24 areas including Kiev and Crimea Republican recruiting boards. The Government granted 3.3 mln UAH for smooth recruiting.
5. UAF manning: contract soldiers recruiting Program
“Modifying of recruiting contract soldiers Program has started”, as Chief of the General Staff Col Gen I. Svida informed on December, 2.
Comment: as of today, a complete transfer onto a contract based Armed Forces manning modality is planned out to end by 2015. It is intended to divide the transfer time on two stages. At the first stage there will be a preparation of highly qualified sergeants Corpse, their further appointing on key command and high importance positions. Then, during a second stage, a professional training of contract soldiers and following field assignment of them will start.
6. International cooperation: Ukrainian-Brazilian partnership
Official meeting between Ukrainian acting Minister of Defence Mr. A. Ivashenko and his Brazilian counterpart Mr. Nelson Azivado Jobima took place on December, 4.
Comment: summiteers discussed bilateral military cooperation between countries, its development prospects, especially focused toward technological aspects. In order to seal further improvements and continue implementation of ongoing projects, the intergovernmental agreement between Ukraine and Brazil is being prepared. High participants shared their views on regional security matters, countering of the modern challenges and latest threats in Europe and South America.
Details of Ukraine-Brazil joint airspace project “Alcantara Cyclone Space” implementation was highlighted in Informational – Analytic review #09/29 on 30 November 2009.
7. International military cooperation: Ukraine military cooperation vectors
On December 2, Chief of the General Staff Col Gen I. Svida met with military diplomatic personnel, accredited for Ukraine assignment.
