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Israel Won't Augment Ground Forces Despite Mideast Turmoil

(Reuters) Dan Williams - Israel does not plan to expand military ground forces in response to instability in Egypt and Syria, Israeli officials said on Monday. The fall in February of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has triggered concern in Israel for the 1978 peace accord and for the demilitarized status of Egypt's Sinai peninsula on Israel's border. One of the Israeli officials helping draft Israel's 2012-2017 defense budget said, "Our current capabilities are sufficient for our foreseeable requirements, though we will be investing anew in training and improving rapid-response mobility to allow for more flexibility during emergencies." The U.S. appears keen to show it is closing ranks with Israel: Lt.-Gen. Mark Hertling, commander of the U.S. Army in Europe, was quoted by the Jerusalem Post as saying the allies would next year hold their biggest joint exercise, codenamed "Austere Challenge."
2011-08-19 00:00:00
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