Ukraine marks Armed Forces Day

Ukraine's Armed Forces require new state policy of its restructuring according to modern challenges and threats in the global security system, Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych said on Monday.

"Ukraine is ready to create a mobile, professional army equipped with modern weapons and tools," Yanukovych said in an address marking the 19th anniversary of the Army Day.

The president, who is the army's chief, called achieving the European level of social standards for military personnel an important step toward high-professional army

"Modern technology can be entrusted only to highly educated, high-quality trained professionals. The effectiveness of command and control, radical changes in the resource and logistical support - this is our task for the near future," Yanukovych said.

The Armed Forces of Ukraine incorporate the army, air force and navy.

The Defense Ministry said earlier the Ukrainian army will be reduced from 200,000 to 160,000 personnel over the next five years.

Source: Xinhua