Turchynov proposes restoring missile shield in Ukraine
Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine (NSDC) Oleksandr Turchynov believes that Ukraine needs to rebuild its missile shield and continue developing military technical cooperation with NATO. He expressed this opinion in an article "National Security of Ukraine: Challenges and Priorities", published on Wednesday in the Holos Ukrayiny (Voice of Ukraine) parliamentary newspaper.
"In general, during 2015 and the first half of 2016, strategic vision of developing the national security system and the security and defense sector was defined in Ukraine. The legislative and regulatory basis for the development of the national security was formed. Certain strategic objectives of the reform are already being actively implemented. We can say that the first stage of the national security and defense reforms has been completed," Turchynov said.
He noted that the reform was supported not only by the majority of citizens of Ukraine but also by foreign partners, mainly the NATO member countries.
"Cooperation with NATO is deepening; the standards of the Alliance are being gradually implemented in Ukraine's security and defense sector. Six new trust funds have been created together with our partners. Experts from the NATO member countries are already involved in the development of the defense and security sector of Ukraine. We are continuing to develop military-technical cooperation with these countries. At the Warsaw NATO Summit the decision was made to provide Ukraine with a package of comprehensive support," Turchynov wrote.
Secretary of NSDC pointed out that the development of the military industrial complex has received a powerful impetus, and now it has become one of the major sectors of the Ukrainian economy. The absolute priorities, in his opinion, should be the restoration of a missile shield in Ukraine, increase of the combat potential of artillery systems and restoration of a reliable air defense, munitions production, development of telecommunication systems, development of automated troops and intelligence command and control systems.