Ukrainian army to be 80-90% professional by 2015

Previous plans for an end to conscription seem to be fading into the twilight as the old date set by the previous government has been forgotten and no new date seems on the cards.

KYIV, June 19, 2011 (UBO) --- The Armed Forces of Ukraine will reach the planned figure of 80-90 percent of the recruitment of the army with service members on contracts by 2015, Chief of General Staff and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Colonel-General Hryhoriy Pedchenko said during a working visit to Crimea, UkrInform reported yesterday.

 

"Fifty-eight percent of soldiers on contracts currently serve in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. This year we improved this figure by eight percent," he said. 

The chief of general staff said that if the current pace were maintained, by 2015 the Armed Forces of Ukraine would reach the planned figure of 80-90 percent regarding the staffing of the army with service members on contracts.

 

The strength of the Ukrainian army has been approved by parliament at 192,000 people, including up to 144,000 service members, effective December 31, 2011. 

Note: Photo of Pedchenko courtesy NATO May 5, 2011

 Republished here with the full & complete permission of the UBO: http://www.ukrainebusiness.com.ua/news/2589.html