Spanish military delegation to talk army reform in Moscow

MOSCOW, June 27 (RIA Novosti)

A military delegation of the Spanish Armed Forces will arrive in Moscow on Monday to discuss army reform and the fight against maritime piracy, the Russian Defense Ministry reported.

"The talks' participants will discuss the development of the military and political situation in the world's crisis regions, exchange the experience of reforming national armed forces and taking part in operations to ensure maritime navigation security and fight piracy," the ministry said in a statement.

In line with the reform plan for the Russian Armed Forces, the number of servicemen should be reduced by 17% to 1 million by 2012. The number of officers will be cut by 34% to 220,000 people.

Besides, the reform envisions reorganization of six military districts into four, and raising monetary allowance to officers.