ZAGREB, March 27 (Hina) - Croatian Defence Minister Zeljka Antunovic said at a seminar on the reform of the Armed Forces on Friday the Croatian defence system was far from ideal, but it was at all times prepared to respond to all
challenges. The goal of the reform is to develop able, modern, well-equipped and trained armed forces which the state can afford, she said.
ZAGREB, March 27 (Hina) - Croatian Defence Minister Zeljka
Antunovic said at a seminar on the reform of the Armed Forces on
Friday the Croatian defence system was far from ideal, but it was at
all times prepared to respond to all challenges. The goal of the
reform is to develop able, modern, well-equipped and trained armed
forces which the state can afford, she said. #L#
Antunovic believes that the biggest obstacles to the reform were
problems which had accumulated in the ministry over the years and
which her predecessors had not solved due to opportunism.
At this time, Croatia is under no great threat and now is the right
time for reform, she said.
Speaking about the security system, the minister said that it was
wanting, and of all the intelligence services, the military
intelligence service had the best results.
Antunovic said it was important that the Armed Forces' reform
enjoyed public support and cited the results of a poll according to
which 70% of citizens endorse the reform aspects, of which number
95% supported technical modernisation, and 89% the improvement of
staff quality.
The General Staff has been completely reorganised, as have been the
chief commands of certain service branches, and the organisation of
guard brigades is underway, General Drago Lovric said.
According to the new territorial division, the number of military
districts has been reduced from six to four, and the seven guard
brigades will be formed into four.
The Armed Forces employ 27,064 active military personnel, with
4,100 of them requesting to be discharged and taken care of on
various bases.
After the reorganisation, the Armed Forces should have 21,000
active military staff, 4,000 military officials and employees,
8,000 conscripts and 109,000 members of reserve forces, Lovric
said.
The reorganisation of the Armed Forces will secure a better
structure of the military budget which amounts to 4.5 billion kuna
(EUR584 million). At the moment, some 68% of the funds are being
spent on salaries, 21% on operative expenses and only 10% on
investments, said Antunovic's assistant in charge of the budget and
finances, Josip Budimir.
Estimates are that after the reform next year salary expenses would
decrease to 58.1%, while funds for operative expenses (maintenance
and overhaul) would rise to 32.2%. Investment funds would remain at
the same level.
(hina) lml sb