Ukrainian president calls for army upgrade

Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych on Monday called on the country's armed forces to be "significantly upgraded" in 2012. "Ukrainian Army is expecting radical changes," he said at a ceremony in Kiev marking the 20th anniversary of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The president drew attention to the provision of new and modernized equipment as well as modern approaches to logistics in the army. According to the head of the state, the government plans a three-fold spending increase on weapons and military equipment, while budget for troops training will rise two-fold. The President assured that the country will do its best to ensure "the Ukrainian army to become modern and professional." Earlier the president said reform in the security and army sector as well as the Defense Ministry is a key priority of national policy.