Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has stressed the need to expand the range of military products which are manufactured in Ukraine.
When speaking at Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) meeting, the president stressed that it was of paramount importance that Ukraine should gradually replace the products, which the country currently has to import, by the domestically-produced ones, the press service of the Ukrainian head of state reported.
Foremost this concerns the production of newest electronics, communications and counter-battery means, the newest radars, electronic warfare at Ukrainian defense enterprises.
The head of state reported that during international visits of governmental officials the agreements were reached to launch joint ventures to manufacture modern weapons of the highest quality on the basis of Ukraine’s defense industry enterprises.
At the same time, Poroshenko called for the creation of missiles and ammunition manufactures in Ukraine, stressing the need in those that are deficient in the country.
He said that the state today aims to produce and purchase the newest weapons and armor, which were developed by domestic design bureaus in the past two years. Poroshenko noted that the serial production of this military equipment has to start this year already.
“We are stepping up funding for engineering and development projects to significantly expand the range of military products which are manufactured by domestic defense industry,” Poroshenko said, adding that development of Ukroboronprom enterprises and the fulfillment of the state defense order should stimulate innovative development of Ukraine’s economy.
Poroshenko said that at this point the middle and long-term planning for military industry was being carried out, including the rearmament of the army. At the same time, the president ordered to speed up drafting and adoption of the state defense program on developing the arms and military equipment until 2020.
Speaking of the state defense order for 2016, the president noted its increase in the hryvnia equivalent by 34%. He stressed that Ukraine had to provide its Armed Forces with the newest modern equipment, also taking into account the current battle experience.
Poroshenko also recalled that the NSDC earlier approved a decision to create a new missile weapon as a part of ‘Olkha’ project. He said that the work was intensive and that he hoped to see the first results coming soon.
Besides, Poroshenko instructed the state companies together with Ukroboronprom State Corporation to take certain steps during the planning of the state defense order for 2016. In particular, he ordered to ensure the development and purchase of the following weapons: missile weapons for Ukraine’s Ground Forces part of ‘Olkha’ project; cruise missile complexes based on the technical solutions of ‘Neptun’ project; new samples of artillery systems; precision-guided munitions; anti-tank missiles; automated intelligence systems.
Poroshenko also paid special attention to unmanned aerial vehicles, including combat ones, a new generation of armored vehicles, communications and management systems, navigation equipment, technologies and materials of space exploration.
In addition, according to the president, Ukraine’s Air Forces expect the upgraded aircraft and helicopters, the creation of medium-range anti-aircraft missile system, modernization of the existing air defense systems, radars, and other equipment. As regards the Navy, Poroshenko said the procurement of naval armament will be made, while the purchase of warships and armored gunboats will be considered.
