Ukraine is ready to send a second batch of 62 BTR-4 armored personnel carriers to Iraq in April under a contract for military hardware shipments.
"Ukraine complies with the contract with Iraq. At present, the state-run Malyshev Plant together with subcontractors are completing preparations for the delivery of the second batch of 62 BTR-4 armored personnel carriers to the foreign customer," Interfax-Ukraine learned at Ukroboronpprom state concern on Tuesday.
After the tests, the armored personnel carriers will be delivered to the customer, according to Ukroboronpprom.
According to sources in the defense sector, Iraqi experts are to arrive in Ukraine to accept the second batch of armored vehicles in late April.
The third batch of BTR-4s is also scheduled to be sent to 2012 Iraq this year, the source said.
A contract worth over $550 million for the supply of the Ukrainian military hardware to Iraq was concluded in 2009 by a state-run subsidiary of Ukrspecexport – the Progress specialized foreign trade firm. The contract foresees the supply of over 400 pieces of military hardware, including BTR-4 armored personnel carriers, six An-32 light transport aircraft, and aircraft repair services for three to three-and-a-half years.
Among the key Ukrainian contractors are the Kharkiv-based Morozov design and engineering bureau, the Kharkiv engine design bureau, and the Malyshev plant, all of which belong to the Ukroboronprom concern, as well as Kyiv-based Antonov enterprise.
The first batch of 26 BTR-4s, two maintenance vehicles, and two BTR crew training simulators were delivered to the Iraqi contractor in spring 2011. The first two An-32 aircraft were delivered in November and December 2011. Another four aircraft will be delivered in 2012.
