Ukraine's leading English-language newspaper since 1995

Ukraine is planned to begin this autumn the shipment of first batches of military hardware to Iraq under a large-scale contract worth over $550 million Ukraine is planned to begin this autumn the shipment of first batches of military hardware to Iraq under a large-scale contract worth over $550 million struck in 2009.

The delivery of the first An-32 (P) aircraft for Iraq is scheduled tentatively for September, Dmitriy Kiva, the head of state-run Antonov Concern told Interfax-Ukraine.

"The first aircraft will be supplied in the near future, we should do that by September," he said, noting that work under the contract is proceeding normally.

Chief Designer of Kharkiv Machine Building Design Bureau Mykhailo Borysiuk said in turn that the delivery of the first batch of BTR-4 armored personnel carriers under the contract is scheduled for October.

"[Hardware] prototypes are undergoing trials. And I hope we'll be able to deliver the first batch in October, as stipulated in the contract," he said.

"Unfortunately our Malyshev plant has let us down – we haven't got engines from it yet," he said, noting that other subcontractors are working well.

In 2009, the subsidiary of state-owned Ukrspetsexport – state-run Progress specialized foreign trade firm – signed a contract with Iraq worth more than $550 million, which is supposed to be one of an upcoming series of contracts in the sphere of military and technical cooperation between Ukraine and Iraq.

The contract foresees the delivery more than 400 armored vehicles, in particular the BTR-4, about 10 An-32 aircraft, and aircraft repair services over three to three-and-a-half years.

Over 80 Ukrainian enterprises are involved in the fulfillment of the contract. Among the major contractors are Kharkiv-based Morozov Engineering Design Bureau, Kharkiv-based state-run Malyshev plant, and state-run Antonov Concern.