MOSCOW. Oct 2 (Interfax-AVN) - Russian President Vladimir Putin set out a number of army reform priorities during an expanded session with the country's high-ranking military officials on Thursday.
"What counts most is to improve the recruitment system to have professional, permanent readiness units by 2007. At the same time, the period of army service for draftees should be reduced," the president said.
He also underscored the need to re-equip the army and continue unifying the country's defense sector and creating large competitive holdings.
"It is also necessary to establish an advanced procurement system for the army," Putin added.
The president said that emerging threats "make us conduct regular military and strategic analysis of the situation."
"In today's rapidly changing environment, the army should be ready to provide an effective response to new threats. That is why its structure, combat capabilities, tactics and composition should be flexible and mobile," Putin noted.
"Seeking broad cooperation with foreign states and more viable international law, we should pay no less attention or abandon the idea of improving our defense potential. In the end, this potential serves as a guarantee of Russia's sovereignty and security," the president said.
He noted that the army should be ready "to join its partners in ensuring collective security, fighting terrorism and participating in peacekeeping operations. It should also be ready to counter common threats together with its closest allies."
Putin called on the Armed Forces "to rise to a qualitatively new level in everything: their combat training, military planning and military science." He noted that "much needs to be done to create the army's new image."
"We have moved from drastic reforms to a consistent, thoughtful approach toward the Armed Force's further development. In fact, we are moving to a qualitative new image of the country's Armed Forces," the president said.