A Defense Ministry official said Monday, the military has decided to make significant cuts not only in personnel expenses but other costs for operations and conventional weapons over the next five years.

The official said all the retrenched costs will be used in building up hi-tech power, adding that the decision was made at a meeting of top military officials, including the defense minister.

The official's remarks are expected to incur criticism because they contradict the ministry's earlier plan to cut personnel expenses by 10 percent in each of the three services.