Reserves training to be slashed over budget cuts

Army Radio reports army considers cancelling majority of reserves training, lower production rate of Iron Dome.

By YAAKOV LAPPIN
IDF reserve soldiers 521 (photo credit: Marc Israel Sellem)
IDF reserve soldiers 521
(photo credit: Marc Israel Sellem)
Amid reports that the IDF is set to slash its training programs for reserve soldiers due to budgetary constraints, IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Benny Gantz gave a closed-door briefing to the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee on Tuesday, in which he discussed the effects of the coming NIS 3 billion cut in the defense budget.
During his briefing, Gantz stressed that despite the extensive budget cut, the IDF must provide complex security solutions in a quickly-changing region, and at the same time, continue with its long-term force building program.
During the meeting, reports surfaced suggesting cuts to reserves training and air defense battery production.
Army Radio reported the IDF is considering a cancellation of the majority of its reserves training program from now until the end of the year, and lowering the production rate of the Iron Dome anti-rocket system.
Deputy Defense Minister Danny Dannon said reserves programs, training, and the purchasing of defense platforms would all likely be affected by the cut.
Addressing the budget cut, Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon said the coming 18 months would be tough.
“We must operate under budgetary constraints, due to the deficit that grew in recent years,” he said. “As I’ve said in the past, the Defense Ministry and the IDF will have to take part in bearing the economic burden... some of the implications will begin to be apparent to the public in terms of ending certain training programs, and fewer reserve call-ups in the coming year-and-a-half.”