War in Georgia will force Ukraine to revise its defense concept. Military starting to beef up defenses in southern and eastern regions

August19200820:05

The military conflict between Georgia and Russia has forced Ukraine’s government to strengthen the country’s defense. As the legislature reconvenes, the defense ministry will demand raising defense funding. Earlier, the DM was earmarked 2 billion hryvnia additionally, but now its appetite will grow. Additional funding will go to form new units and modernize weapons in the units deployed in Ukraine’s southern and eastern regions.

DM chiefs have already discussed increased military budget with the president, The Delo says, citing its sources in the DM, with Yushchenko approving the proposals by the military. Air defense units will get priority in funding.

A new air defense regiment was formed in the South of Ukraine, general staff deputy head Ihor Romanenko confirmed. Its mission is to protect the Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts.

As of this year, the DM will focus on strengthening defenses in the south of Ukraine, specifically, in Crimea. The ministry will deploy AA missiles and fighter planes from other areas as well as modernize the existing missiles and AA launchers.

The military say they want to create a multi-functional missile complex. The project has been on track for several years now, but over the last 3 years a lot of headway has been made. The complex will be equipped with missiles made by the Pivdenmash plant.

According to a source in the DM, the military will push legislators to allocate more funding to training air defense units. They have the support of the president, they say.

Ukraine is on the look out for new means of deterrent after it gave up its nuclear arsenal, former presidential advisor Gen. Vadym Hrechanynov says. Instead of nukes, Ukraine can rely on a strong air force and powerful missile-based air defenses.

According to The Delo, the military stand a good chance to win more funding in the wake of the Russian-Georgian war, up to 2% of the country’s GDP. In 2008, DM budget stands at 10 bn hryvnia, or merely 1% of GDP.