#15
BBC Monitoring
Russian general says army readiness in danger,
professional soldiers needed
Source: Russian Public TV (ORT), Moscow, in Russian 0900 gmt 23 Nov 01
[Presenter] The transition from the conscription-based to a contract-based army will have been fully completed in Russia in 2010. Relevant blueprints have been drawn up at the Ministry of Defence. The blueprint is due to be approved by the Russian parliament by 2004.
Let me recall that this week the president has already endorsed the blueprint for a partial transition to contract service, presented to him by the government.
Vladislav Putilin, chief of the Main [Organization-]Mobilization Directorate of the [General Staff of the] armed forces said today that the transition to the contract basis is the sole way out for the Russian army.
[Vladislav Putilin, captioned as deputy chief of the General Staff of the armed forces of the Russian Federation] As a result of the demographic gap which will begin to take shape from 2005 and which will peak in 2010 or 2011, the armed forces' numerical strength will be reduced to between only 30 to 40 per cent, given the legislation currently in force.
As a result of this, the timeframe within which it is necessary to change the system of armed forces manpower acquisition has become defined. This system must be changed by 2010.
If we fail to do this, we shall be unable to maintain the prescribed combat readiness which it is necessary for our armed forces to maintain.
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