Participants in the meeting examined a draft comprehensive plan for implementing Presidential Executive Orders Nos. 597, 601, 603, 604 and 605 of May 7, 2012, and analysed the main results of surprise inspections of the Air Force and the Aerospace Defence Forces to assess their readiness to carry out various objectives in the Western strategic sector, as well as the situation with recruiting contract soldiers, namely, sergeants and privates.
Opening the meeting, Defence Minister and Army General Sergei Shoigu said the Ministry had already accomplished eight out of its 18 objectives stipulated by the five presidential executive orders of May 7, 2012. To carry out the remaining objectives in line with presidential instructions, the Defence Ministry has drafted its own Action Plan to 2020. The Plan includes specific annual measures dealing with the entire range of objectives assigned to the Defence Ministry.
The Defence Minister believes that it is becoming possible for the first time to synchronise the delivery of modern weapons and military equipment with personnel-training programmes and the creation of the relevant infrastructure. Sergei Shoigu focused on the openness of Defence Ministry activities during the fulfilment of specific plans. He noted that a special section has been created on the Defence Ministry website to allow public discussion and feedback on the plan’s open provisions.
Sergei Shoigu discussed in detail the recruitment of contract soldiers, namely, sergeants and privates. The Defence Minister said at least 240,000 contract soldiers had to be recruited by the end of 2013. This means that at least 60,000 people must join the Armed Forces before the year is out.
Participants in the meeting focused on the results of surprise inspections to assess the combat readiness of military formations in the Western strategic sector. The Defence Minister believes that these inspections make it possible to evaluate the real combat readiness of units, elements and formations and to make timely adjustments in the effort to upgrade the Armed Forces.
Source: Defence Ministry
