Mediamax interview with Frank Boland, Director of Force Planning, NATO Defence Policy and Planning Directorate

- Mr. Boland, what is your evaluation of Armenian defense reform in general and its importance for Armenia's defense capabilities?

- The defense reform is a continuous process. The fact that Armenia, which had the Strategic Defense Review (SDR) completed in 2010, has now decided to institutionalize this as part of regular management process is extremely important. All of this work takes place against the background of very little financial resources available, so it’s important for the Armenian Armed Forces to make the best value from the money they have. And I do this through addressing management of the Armed Forces looking at not only the structure of the Armed Forces (although I know it is difficult to change a military structure when you are actually engaged in real life operations), but also at the personal structure.

For example, in a work that is going to effectively transform the structure of non-commission officers, the middle management backbone will be provided for the Armed Forces and it is very important in itself. I should also mention the work on addressing corruption ongoing within the defense establishment through the NATO Building Integrity Program.  

We do believe this is very much on the right track, and we are happy to be associated with this.

What is relied on in the long term? A tighter management structure based on more  thought-through objectives, which questioned itself to see whether it is getting the best value from the recourses that were put into defense – better training and better education of military personal. We do believe this is very much on the right track, and we are happy to be associated with this. 

Frank Boland

Photo: Mediamax

- The Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Armenia actively cooperates with NATO to enhance the interoperability of the Armenian Armed Forces. Last year, within the framework of NATO’s Operational Capabilities Concept (OCC), the infantry battalion of the Armenian peacekeeping brigade successfully carried out the 2nd level (combat readiness) self-evaluation. The NATO OCC 2nd level evaluation will be carried out this year. How would you assess this cooperation and what results have been achieved?

- Again, this is a process leading up to the NATO 2nd level evaluation, where there will be a very detailed look and all of the different competences, capabilities and procedures of that particular unit. It is important to prepare properly for this sort of work, and going through the steps of the 1st level of self-evaluation, then NATO 1st level evaluation and now the 2nd level of self-evaluation are all the important building blocks. At the end of this, assuming, as we expect, the battalion would be deployed as having passed the 2nd level evaluation -- it will be assessed as combat ready for the operations it is due to take part. But more important than that is how the Armenian military establishment validates their own training procedures, and asking them to look at what they are doing against a set of outside criteria would help them improve the way in which they see the process.

- The 2nd Armenian Strategic Defense Review (SDR) is currently being conducted. As in the first SDR, the Armenian Ministry of Defense is given advisory assistance by the UK and U.S. expert group. According to you, is there a perceivable connection between the 1st and 2nd SDRs?

- I can’t answer that in detail yet, because we don’t know what the outcome of the 2nd SDR will be. But as I said, this is a process, and one part of it leads to another one.

This assistance from the UK and U.S. experts is very important, because, for example, one of the UK representatives, who is a colleague of mine, is in Georgia and working on the Georgian Defense Ministry on their SDR. One of the members of the U.S. team is a former advisor of mine, who is now working independently and he is very experienced in this sort of area. So I am sure the sort of advice the Armenian Ministry of Defense is getting from these people is very consistent with the sort of advisory which, for example, we would give as we comment on the lessons emerging from the Defense review. But based on the work of the 1st Strategic Defense Review, I am really quite confident that there will be a proven result, which clearly is going to lead to a more professional, better focused and more cost-effective Armed Forces. 

- Based on your experience in different parts of the world, how long could this process be going on or is it individual? 

- Several countries said they are going to implement a Strategic Defense Review in six months. And whenever I hear that, I respond that it’s a nonsense and absolutely impossible. To do it thoroughly, you need at least a year, probably a year and a half, and still better, two years. But this is a constant process a country has to go through. The thoroughness with which I think this SDR has been carried out gives confidence for the future.

Frank Boland

Photo: Mediamax

The third reason is that you cannot have a professional management system within the Ministry of Defense, if it also engages in corruption or it does not address corruption.

- Within the frame of the ongoing reforms, along with NATO subdivisions the Armenian Ministry of Defense attaches significant importance to the strengthening of building integrity, as well as to the spheres of anti-corruption strategies and human rights. During the conference held in NATO Headquarters last year, the First Deputy Minister of Defense Davit Tonoyan presented Armenia’s experience within the given fields. How would you assess the level of cooperation between the Armenian MoD and NATO in this sphere?

- And Deputy Minister of Defense Ara Nazaryan gave a presentation at the security conference in Washington DC several weeks ago, which I attended as well. [The event was organized with the joint efforts of the U.S. Department of Defense and the NATO and was aimed at the strengthening of good conduct - Mediamax]. Dealing with corruption is important for three reasons. One is the question of legality and fairness. The second is the question of getting best value from the financial recourses you put into defense. The third reason is that you cannot have a professional management system within the Ministry of Defense, if it also engages in corruption or it does not address corruption. This is all part of an overall strategy of professionalizing management in defense establishment. As an essential part of it, Armenia is clearly taking it extremely seriously.

- Armenia’s participation in NATO led operations aimed at the preservation of international security is a key aspect of cooperation with the Alliance. Our peacekeeping troops pursue their service in the two main operations led by NATO (Afghanistan and Kosovo). The representatives of the Armenian Armed Forces also frequently participate in various courses and training exercises organized by NATO. What prospects do you perceive in this area?

- The prospects are good. Last year we saw another deployment – this time not in a NATO, but in a UN-led operation – UNIFIL in Lebanon. And that too is something NATO welcomes, because secure international peace and security is in everybody’s interest. Indeed, the Armenian Armed Forces gain experience in different theaters, and this experience and those lessons will be drawn into the overall training and management system.

Aram Araratyan talked to Frank Boland

Photos: Mariam Loretsyan