Last update - 00:00 20/08/2007
Barak: I was surprised by poor state of affairs in defense establishment
By Yuval Azoulay, Haaretz Correspondent
Defense Minister Ehud Barak said Monday that when he was appointed two months ago he was surprised by the poor state of affairs the defense establishment and the Israel Defense Forces in terms of stocks, force size, and "endurance."
In his first conversation with military affairs correspondents since taking over from his predecessor Amir Peretz, Barak blamed budget cuts that were carried out in recent years despite "the strategic reality that is emerging in the Middle East."
According to Barak, the IDF must carry out a plan for building its forces in a manner that will allow Israel to implement its basic security approach of deterrence, advance warning, and decisive victory.
The defense minister said such an approach is necessary in order to achieve a clear and decisive victory in any future war.
Barak's approach is based on several principles: An active defense system to intercept all types of missiles and rockets, as well as improving the IDF's maneuverability by increasing force size, reestablishing two specialized divisions, and gradually increasing the number of tanks.
"Israel currently in a situation in which the force size is less than half of what it was at its height," said Barak.
The defense minister added that, in order to fight a potential war on multiple fronts, the IDF must improve its logistical "endurance" by increasing its supply of ammunition and weapons, and holding more training exercises.
Barak also called on Israel to develop a "long arm" capable of "operating far from its borders ... and able to strike targeted and painful blow."