ARMENIAN DM: IN CASE OF SETTLING RELATIONS WITH OUR NEIGHBORS THE
NUMERICAL FORCE OF THE ARMY WILL BE UNDOUBTEDLY REDUCED BY 3-4 TIMES

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 9. ARMINFO. The numerical force of the army is very
big for a peace-time and this is a very crippling burden for our
people (let the people and army forgive me), says Armenian Defense
Minister Serzh Sargsyan in Not Line interview with Golos Armenii
newspaper.

“In case of settling relations with our neighbors the numerical force
of the army will be undoubtedly reduced by 3-4 times. That time we
shall have an opportunity of choice and the army will be replenished
only with the educated soldiers and officers. But the existing
numerical force of the army and the level of fighting capacity will be
preserved for a long period of time. This problem may not be settled
tomorrow or during the next conscription. At the same time specific
measures are being taken by us. First, we are trying to settle the
education problems of soldiers and officers in the army by means of
organization of different short-term and long-term training
courses. We also have the military units where there are the so-called
schools where soldiers get secondary education. But the main resource
are those who serve in the army under contract. Professional army is
the shortest way for this problem settlement. But today Armenia cannot
have a professional army as it is connected with very big
expenditure. For this reason we are creating contract subdivisions,
i.e. some elements of the professional army and are trying to keep our
battle capacity. Today we have many such subdivisions especially in
the border regions. There is such a subdivision in Yerevan –
peace-keeping battalion. At present 3500 women serve in tghe army
under contract. Civilians also serve in the army where it is
possible. This allows us on one hand to settle social problems of
population, and on the other hand purely military problems,” the
minister said.

“Simultaneously, we are acting together with the Education Ministry
and Sport Committee for restoration of the patriotic and physical
training system. The main vector of the problem should be directed
towards school. I would like to mention specially our joint work with
the Health Ministry. It is for the first time that we have started
medical examination of the young men of the preinduction age. Since
2004 we have start a work on satisfaction of the health needs of the
family members of the enlisted men,” the minister added.