KYIV. July 22 (Interfax-Ukraine) – Ukraine could take part in Turkish defense programs on the creation of some types of armament, a source in the defense sector has told Interfax-Ukraine.
The source said that among the most discussed initiatives on military cooperation are aircraft engine, armored vehicle and tank production.
“This concern the program of the national Turkish helicopter [which is] being designed on the platform of the European Augusta: Turkey is interested in its own engine. The country also showed interest in cooperation in the program [to produce] a Turkish fighter aircraft, including in the context of joint design and production of the aircraft engine,” the source said.
“The sides are discussing the options of organizing production both at facilities in Ukraine and Turkey, depending on expenses planned by Turkey and the terms of the realization of defense programs. At the present stage, it is mainly the technical discussion, and the economic discussion is at the initial stage,” the source said.
The source said that the sides are working on plans of technological cooperation in armored vehicle and tank production.
“The interest of Turkish partners includes Ukraine’s experience, including in the areas of explosive reactive armor and engine building,” the source said.
“The possibility of Ukraine’s participation in the program on the creation of Turkish third generation main battle tank Altay is being discussed,” the source said.
Urgent issues of Ukrainian-Turkish cooperation, including military cooperation, were discussed during a visit of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Kyiv in March.
According to the Ukrainian government, armored vehicles, tanks, aircraft engines, radar, navigation devices, communications and missile armament are considered as promising areas of Ukrainian-Turkish military cooperation.
