Ukraine is to downsize its Armed Forces by some 20% to 150,000-160,000 personnel in five years, the government press service said on Thursday.
The cuts are envisioned under a draft concept for the organizational development of the national Armed Forces.
The country presently has about 200,000 servicemen.
Alongside the cuts in personnel, the draft concept states that military spending should grow at a rate of 15-20% a year through 2015.
The Armed Forces are also to sell off surplus military property, which should yield $188 million to $250 million.
The concept also directs the Defense Ministry to make a more effective use of its internal resources, saving an additional $2.4 billion.
KIEV, July 22 (RIA Novosti)