MOSCOW, November 1 (RAPSI) - The State Duma Committee for Defense has supported a government bill that would warrant conclusion of short-term military contracts for fighting against terrorism outside Russia, RIA Novosti reported on Tuesday.

As the Cabinet of Ministers reported earlier, due to stepping up of global terrorism and extremism, it is necessary to enhance troops mobility, compose integrated and nonorganic units and fill up the staff with contract servicemen in short order for prompt solution of current but important problems connected with anti-terrorist operations.

Present legislation stipulates that the first contract with a conscript or another individual going into the national service for the military post of soldier, sailor, sergeant  or sergeant major should be concluded for two or three years. Warrant officers and officers are to sign their first contracts for five years.

The bill envisages the possibility of awarding a military contract on counterterrorism outside Russia for a period until circumstances calling for itsconclusion are terminated. However, such contract could not be signed for a term exceeding one year from the date of its entry into force.