BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, Aug. 2 (UPI) -- The former Soviet republic of Kyrgyzstan will launch a military reform aiming to create a professional army, Kyrgyz Defense Minister Esen Topoev said Friday.
Currently, the 4.7-million Central Asian nation has more than 12,000 active troops and spends 3.6 percent of its gross national product on defense.
According to Topoev, reform in the Kyrgyz military has already begun, with some army contingents hiring servicemen on a contract basis.
"At least 70 percent of the troops serving in the Chief Border Guard Directorate are hired," Topoev said.
Moreover, the entire force stationed in Kyrgyzstan's southern territories that border on Tajikistan consists of professional soldiers, the minister said.
Besides Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan borders with China, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.
The military reform, officials say, has several stages and is expected to be completed within eight years.
The reform could also ameliorate Kyrgyzstan's many social problems.
"Today we have a situation where the number of draft-age conscripts overwhelmingly surpasses the needs of the military," Topoev said.
He said that a major initial step in the reform plan would be creation of a professional Border Guard Service, which should be completed by 2003.
Over the last year, Kyrgyzstan has actively participated in efforts of the international anti-terrorist coalition to corner Afghan militants, providing airports and other military infrastructure to U.S.-led troops.
