In a briefing on Aug. 20, Barak, who has ordered an increase in
operations in the Gaza Strip, detailed plans to expand the combat reserve
forces. He said he would organize two divisions, equipped with hundreds of
Merkava-class main battle tanks, artillery and other assets.
Officials said the plan, a key element in a five-year reorganization
effort, would cost more than $1 billion. They said the Finance Ministry,
which has sought to cap military spending, has opposed the reserve force
expansion.
The need to expand the combat reserve force became apparent during the
34-day war against Hizbullah in July and August 2006, officials said. They
said the army lacked trained combat reserve units and equipment that could
rapidly invade Lebanon and overrun Hizbullah strongholds.
"A military force is not merely hardware and technology, but first of
all confidence and fighting spirit," Barak said. "There is no military force
without training."
Under the Barak plan, the reserve divisions would be equipped with the
Merkava Mk-2 MBT. Most of the estimated 300 Mk-2s have been placed in
storage in wake of the reduction of armored units over the last five years.
Barak wants the two new divisions to join a well-trained reserve and
standing army. The minister said he would renew brigade- and division-level
exercises, suspended over the last five years amid budget cuts and the
assessment that Israel would not be engaged in a regional war.
On Tuesday, the General Staff completed two days of discussions on the
principles and requirements of a 10-year military plan. A military statement
said the generals agreed to expand the ground forces as well as increase
training, firepower and maneuver as part of a plan that would be drafted by
Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi and submitted to the government.
"There cannot be a repeat of the situation in which a division commander
first witnesses his division in action during wartime," Barak said.
"Live-fire training is the closest approximation of wartime conditions, even
if the psychological element is missing."
