Last update - 00:00 28/11/2006
As result of Lebanon war, IDF plans to boost training by 30 percent
By Amos Harel, Haaretz Correspondent
The Israel Defense Forces is planning to increase the training exercises of its compulsory service and reserve units by 30 percent, as a result of conclusions drawn from the army's performance during the recent war in Lebanon, IDF Ground Forces Commander Major General Benny Gantz said on Tuesday.
It became evident during the war that many units were not properly trained for extensive war, Gantz said. Training has decreased considerably in the six years since the second Intifada erupted.
During a meeting with the press at Tze'elim training base, Gantz said that the plan to increase training could run into a wall due to a new law reducing reserve duty service.
The law, scheduled go into effect in 2008, was to lower reserve duty for regular soldiers to 45 days every three years and to 70 days every three years for commanders.
According to Ground Forces Command estimates, the increase in training will require 80 days of reserve duty from soldiers, and 95 days from commanders, every three years.
The new training plan includes the formation of a unit that will simulate enemy forces' combat strategies in training exercises.