Russian defense minister reports on the military reform

10.06.2010 Russian Minister of Defense Anatoly Serdiukov delivered a report on military reform at yesterday's plenary session of the Federation Council within the "government hour". The meeting with senators was held behind closed doors. According to the minister, he had touched upon the new look of the Army and the Navy, strength and new structure of the armed forces, military pay, and provision of housing.

Defense ministry and the General Staff offered to transform current six military districts into four operational-strategic commands – "East", "West", "Center", and "South". According to this proposal, Pacific Fleet will report to Command "East"; Black Sea Fleet and Caspian Flotilla – to Command "South"; Baltic and Northern fleets – to Command "West". Besides, it is planned to decrease the strength of Black Sea Fleet, said the minister. According to Viktor Ozerov, chairman of defense and security committee at the Federation Council, manpower of Black Sea Fleet will be less than current 24,000; negotiations on that matter with Ukrainian defense ministry are to be held in the nearest future.

The reform will also deal with deployment of Russian Air Force. It is planned to establish eight army-oriented and two navy-oriented air bases.

Except for that, changes will touch conscription system. In particular, it is offered to prolong draft age up to 30, extend spring draft up to Aug 31, and post draftees on territorial principle, i.e. most of them will serve where they live. It is planned to increase the number of contract servicemen in 1.5 times to the total amount of 250,000; and establish more Suvorov Military Schools, said Ozerov.

According to him, the minister touched upon the issue of housing. Serdiukov said that upon the presidential decree housebuilding expenditures would be increased in 2010 and it is planned to build 51,000 apartments for servicemen instead of 45,000 previously declared. As for Serdiukov, "it won't be a problem to provide all military servicemen with housing till the end of 2012". Alongside with that, defense ministry plans to reduce the number of military camps from over 8,000 down to 184. Living quarters and nonresidential premises of reduced camps will be handed over to regional authorities either for value or on a grant basis.