Poroshenko: Ukraine begins technical re-equipment of the army
President Petro Poroshenko has said that Ukraine is launching a program of technical modernization for the army.
"We must bring our weapons to the level of the 21st century," the president said at the opening of an arms show in the center of Kyiv on Wednesday.
"Scientists, instructors, [and] heads of defense enterprises face important tasks in developing and setting up the production of new missile weapons, cruise missile systems, modern artillery systems, precision munitions, unmanned aerial vehicles, electronic warfare complexes, counterbattery radars, space reconnaissance vehicles and other [systems]," added Poroshenko.
Additionally, the President mentioned the establishment of production of modern Oplot tanks, which were fully exported.
"After all, the Ukrainian army did not have the means to purchase the most modern tanks and arm the ZSU with these tanks. We made changes to the state budget and the first Oplot tanks, produced by the Kharkov plant, will go to the Armed Forces this year. This is our response to the request of Ukrainian tanker operators," said the head of state.
Poroshenko added that he is talking about the modernization of Ukrainian armored vehicles, the production of Dozor-B military armored cars, and the purchase of new UAVs, as well as other modern weapons and military equipment.
"It is important that a portion of the weapons and equipment presented at this exhibition go to the front line next week," he noted.