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| By: Hanan Greenberg |
| Published: January 10, 2007 |
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The IDF warned that there is a budget gap that is likely to cause problems in Israel 's preparation in the face of growing threats.
The strategic estimate for 2007 paints a gloomy picture of decreased regional stability, increased chances for violent confrontation with Syria and Lebanon, and that the Iranians will cross the technological barrier in the nuclear race.
A senior official said Wednesday: "We did our best work, but I am bothered by the issue of investing in the future."
In opposition to Defense Minister Amir Peretz's position on the issue, not even one shekel was allocated to the IDF to for a technological solution to the Qassam rockets, since, reportedly, no appropriate technology currently exists to deal with it.
So where is the defense budget going? The Air Force received 20 percent of the budget pie, and ground forces got 5.2 percent. Military intelligence received $306,000 of the IDF budget. The same senior officer noted that military intelligence needs another $117.9 million for its missions in 2007.
After the war in Lebanon, the current year became more significant for the IDF, and one of the most essential decisions was to prepare the forces, and to freeze plans for a multi-year plan in the meantime.
A senior officer in the General Staff said Wednesday that in light of the existing challenges standing before the IDF, there is a gap of $1.8 billion between what is needed and what is at the IDF's disposal. Only this week, it was made known that an additional $65.9 million were cut from the approved defense budget of $8.17 billion.
The 2007 working plan includes security challenges facing the IDF together with the lessons from the past war and budgetary considerations. This estimate includes concern about global jihad, the Hamas government in the Palestinian Authority, and the Iranian race for nuclear arms.
Iranians expected to break barrier
According to the officer, the Iranians are expected to cross the technological barrier giving them the technology necessary for creating nuclear weapons. The officer even noted that it is not inconceivable that the Iranians will declare that they will achieve this objective within a month or so, even though it will only happen in the future.
The new IDF training program responds to all the aforementioned threats with a significant increase in operational training including both land and air training. Furthermore, particular attention will be given to deepening the cooperation between the various military wings.
In regards to reserve duty, 75 percent of reserve soldiers are expected to participate in operations. The IDF is also slated to undergo a significant change in the emergency stockpiles over five years and will cost $424.3 million. The goal is to improve and update equipment in the emergency stockpiles.
Reprinted with permission from Ynet. |
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