Russian Deputy Prosecutor-General Alexander Savenkov (left) and first Deputy Minister of Defense Yuri Baluevsky (right) during the session of Prosecutor-General's Office.
Photo: Dmitry Azarov
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Russian Ministry of Defense Abandons Districts
// Military reorganization
Defense Ministry made plans for a decade
Russia’s Defense Ministry collegium decided to transform military districts into regional commands before the end of 2015 during its session yesterday. Regional commands will have more strategic independence and will be capable to counter threats on their territories. Defense Ministry also decided to curtail certain branches of troops, so that only land, air, and naval forces remain.
First Deputy Minister of Defense Yuri Baluevsky reported that the administrative reform has been successful in removing regionalism, duplicating and parallel structures within military forces of Russia, and securing a more effective use of army funds.
The collegium considered the new plan for the development of Russia’s military structure by the end of 2015. It is very similar to the current plan, so not much will change till 2010. The number of people in the army will not decrease considerably—there will be 1 million by 2010. The second half of the new plan is to bring big changes. Only 3 types of military force will remain: land, air, and naval forces. Space troops and strategic missile forces are to join air force, and airborne-landing troops will be joined with land force.
Besides, instead of the existing 6 military districts and 4 fleets, 3 regional commands will appear—west-European, mid-Asian, and far-eastern. Each of these 3 commands will be responsible for its own territory, asking for other commands’ help only in case of extreme emergency.
Siberian military district has already started to experiment with training regional commands. The experiment is to finish this year, after which other military districts will adopt the experience. Forming of the 3 commands is to begin in 2011. Security Council of the Russian Federation should approve of the plan within 2 months.
The collegium also discussed law and order issues in the army. Correctional custody is to serve to prevent law violations in the army. Russian Defense Minister Sergey Ivanov demanded that the new order be strictly followed. Besides, commandants’ staff is to be increased, and all forces will be used here—Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry for Emergency Situations, Federal Security Service of Russia, and others.
www.kommersant.com
All the Article in Russian as of May 20, 2006
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