Ukrainian Defense Minister Andriy Taran has introduced recently appointed commander of the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ Navy Oleksiy Neizhpapa and unveiled three components of a program to enhance the Navy’s combat capability in line with NATO standards, the press service for the Ukrainian Defense Ministry said on June 15.
“I’d like to underline the need to focus on increasing the combat capability of our Navy in full compliance with NATO standards and in accordance with the parameters approved by the president. In particular, there are three components,” Taran said in a speech in Odesa on the occasion of the new Navy commander’s appointment.
“The first component is the procurement of state-of-the-art ships with missile weapons, aviation, coast-based missile complexes, and combat support and electronic warfare equipment. The second is the creation of an integrated system of provision of information and intelligence in the short-distance maritime zone, as well as a control system and a system for providing information about the underwater situation. And the third component is the development of an advanced system of bases, both in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. The Defense Ministry will take all necessary steps to put this program into practice,” he said.
The Defense Ministry is holding talks with foreign partners on the need to help Ukraine implement the aforementioned plans, Taran said.
“I held these talks during my recent visits to Berlin and Paris and received assurances from foreign partners that they support our aspirations to develop the Navy,” he said.
When introducing the new Navy commander, the minister said that “the Ukrainian president’s decree dated June 11 was announced to those present here, according to which Oleksiy Leonidovych Neizhpapa was appointed commander of the Navy of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.”
Taran also thanked former Navy commander Adm. Ihor Voronchenko for his diligent service and congratulated him on his new appointment.
“A decree has been announced, according to which Ihor Oleksandrovych was appointed chief inspector of the Defense Ministry of Ukraine,” the press service said.
