According to Pukshyn, last week the government analyzed amendments to the 2008 budget increasing funding for the armed forces by $204 million. Of this, $180 mn was earmarked to switch from a conscript to a contract army.

Pukshyn showed a program drawn up by the defense ministry for a transition to a contract army in 2008-2010. The funding needed to implement this program amounts to $10 billion, $2.4 bn in 2008, $3.6 bn in 2009 and $4 bn in 2010. The money will go for officers pay, building housing and social infrastructure, training of personnel and logistical support.

According to Ihor Pukshyn, the armed forces funding envisaged in the 2008 budget is lowest for the past 7 years. Under the law, the funding must be at 3% of GDP, while the government earmarked only 1.1% of GDP for the military. “A contract army should not become an obsession. Ukraine needs a professional, mobile army with modern weaponry and equipment. Therefore, the key issue how to ensure adequate funding for the armed force,” he summed up.