‘IDF is better prepared than it has been in 20 years’
The chief of staff gave an overview of how the IDF is preparing for emergency situations, including the level of training, reserves, arms, and other areas.
By LAHAV HARKOVUpdated: AUGUST 9, 2018 02:39Gadi Eizenkot IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. August 8, 2018.(photo credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM/THE JERUSALEM POST)
The IDF is well-prepared to defend Israel on three fronts, Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Gadi Eisenkot told the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee Wednesday.“The IDF is better prepared than it has been in the last 20 years,” according to Eisenkot.“The IDF has a great advantage over its enemies based on our operational, intelligence and technological capabilities, which we will use as needed,” he said.The chief of staff gave an overview of how the IDF is preparing for emergency situations, including in its level of training, reserves, arms and other areas. He credited the multi-year “Gideon” plan for helping improve the quality of training, preparedness and infrastructure.In a meeting that was closed to the press, Eisenkot also presented the MKs with the IDF’s increase in training exercises, so that two-thirds of the army is in the field while the other one-third trains. This, he said, is a drastic increase that will improve soldiers’ performance.The chief of staff disputed the Soldiers’ Ombudsman Report released in June, which warned of harm to the IDF’s “ability to fulfill its mission,” though he said he takes it seriously. Eisenkot said he appointed his deputy, Maj.-Gen. Aviv Kochavi, to follow up on the report’s findings and solve problems throughout the IDF, such as in the medical field and commander-soldier relations.Still, Eisenkot said, “The IDF is in at a good level of preparedness in order to fulfill its objective to defend the country and win in war.”
