After the breakup of the Soviet Union and proclamation of Ukraine's independence in 1991, Ukraine inherited one of the most powerful military formations in Europe, equipped with nuclear weapons and comparatively modern conventional weapons and military equipment in general.

The following formations were based in Ukraine: a Strategic Rocket Army, three Combined Arms Armies and two Tank Armies, one Army Corps, four Air Armies, a separate Air Defence Army and the Black Sea Fleet.

In general, the forces totalled 780,000 personnel, 6,500 tanks, more than 7,000 armoured vehicles, up to 1,500 combat aircraft, more than 350 ships and support vessels, 1,272 strategic nuclear warheads for ICBMs and more than 2,500 tactical nuclear weapons.

However, these Armed Forces did not represent the military of an independent state. Ukraine inherited only individual elements of the Soviet military machine.

That is why, on 24 September 1991, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine (the Parliament) approved the decision to take under its jurisdiction all military formations of the former Soviet Armed Forces, deployed in Ukraine, and to establish for the first time the key body of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine. From that time Ukraine has led the field, amongst former Soviet Republics, in developing its own Army and other military formations as the guarantor of statehood.

The process of the military development in Ukraine can be divided into three basic phases:

first, between 1991-1996 - formulating the structural and legal basis for the Armed Forces;

second, from 1997 to the present - the planned development of the Armed Forces;

third, from 2001 - reform and development of the Armed Forces.

The main features of the first phase were: the creation of the legal basis for the Armed Forces, reorganization of their structures, establishment of respective command and control systems, support systems and other elements, necessary for their proper functioning.

At the same time, the development of the Armed Forces over the above-mentioned period was characterized by a considerable cut in the number of military organizations, downsizing of personnel, weapons and equipment.

Thus, by the end of 1996, more than 3,500 different military organizations and almost 410,000 personnel had been reduced. Weapons and military equipment were also drastically reduced: combat aircraft by 600, helicopters by almost 250, tanks and combat armored vehicles by more than 2,400 and 2,000 respectively.

The basis for the formation of Ukraine's first national Armed Forces (AF) were the political decisions which declared Ukraine's non-nuclear and neutral status and limits, based on the compliance with Conventional Forces in Europe Treaty as well as compliance with the Tashkent Agreement of 1992. This latter Treaty which establishes not only maximum weapons holdings for each former USSR republic, but also prescribes limits in the "flank areas". In Ukraine, this included the Mykolaiv, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia regions, as well as the Autonomous Republic of Crimea.

The Verkhovna Rada was swift to adopt the following package of legislative documents in the military sphere: Defence and Development Concept for the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Act on Defence Council of Ukraine, laws on Defence of Ukraine and on the Armed Forces, the Military Doctrine, etc.

The process of nuclear disarmament took place simultaneously and represents one of the most significant historical events of the late 20th century. For the first time in the history of mankind, a nation voluntarily relinquished its nuclear weapons and by 1 June 1996, not a single nuclear warhead was left in Ukraine.

Notwithstanding the difficulties of the process, the basis for a national military force of a newly independent State was developed, including the new Ministry of Defence (MOD), General Staff (GS), Single Services, command and control system as well as training and troops (forces) support systems.

However, it soon became evident, that this was only the beginning of the development process. The problem lay not only in the lack, at that time, of a clearly defined plan and systematic approach to the solution of military development problems, but also in the lack of experienced personnel for its development and implementation.

Frequent changes of military leadership also had their negative influence on military development. For example there were three Ministers of Defence and four Chiefs of the General Staff from 1991 till 1996. Moreover, it was necessary to appoint new commanders to 70% of Ukraine's senior military positions, with the result that nearly all commanders of the military districts, armies, corps and divisions were changed.

At the same time, there were considerable difficulties because of the extensive inter-state transfer of military personnel. For example, some 12,000 officers and warrant officers were repatriated from Ukraine to other countries, whilst more than 33,000 returned to Ukraine during 1991 - 1994.

Doubtless the main reason for unsatisfactory results in the AF development over this period was the persistant decrease of the defence budget allocation which also affected spheres such as weapons and military equipment purchases, as well as research and design.

These and other factors pointed up the need for a State programme of development for the Armed Forces, which could not only clearly determine priorities and spheres in the development of a national Armed Force, but would also balance goals, organization and strength with the potential military threats to Ukraine's national security and economic capability.