An Assessment by UKROBORONPROM Director General Roman Romanov
Defence Turkey: Mr. Romanov, can you please define UKROBORONPROM strategic objectives?
UKROBORONPROM is a powerful union of 100 + Ukrainian defence enterprises. Our plants produce, repair and modernize military equipment for the needs of Ukrainian army. We have thousands of highly trained employees. Our design bureaus (R&D facilities), specializing on research and development, deserve special attention. We do not simply mass-produce, but constantly introduce innovating designs and developments. Our main objectives are to equip our soldiers with top-notch machinery, weaponry and ammunition, to increase domestic defence products competitiveness in the global market and bring production to international standards.
Defence Turkey: What is happening at UKROBORONPROM at the moment?
There are two ongoing conflicts in Ukraine: The one in the East of the country, where our soldiers die, fighting for freedom, and the economic one. Defence industry can be some kind of remedy for both conflicts.» What I want to say is that Ukraine has a huge industrial and intellectual potential. Our specialists can produce high-tech military equipment of all types. In the past six months we began production of the modern armored personnel carrier “Dozor- B”, took more than 100 measures of different complexity to improve the properties of armored carrier BTR-4. We developed entirely new infantry fighting vehicle of hybrid type, due to combination of IFV and tank we received a large capacity and high performance protection. Also, new C2 vehicles “Svityaz”, armored reconnaissance and patrol vehicle “Khazar,” anti-tank missiles “Skif” and much more were units of military equipment were delivered to military. Today, our military equipment is being tested in battle and we keep improving it.
Defence Turkey: Which steps are taken for Ukrainian defence industry revival?
To begin with, defence industry revival is a process, which demands time, hard work, effective management decisions, good personnel policies and investment. That is why we invite young, ambitious and qualified employees and bring back top-ranked specialists. We deepen cooperation with UKROBORONPROM enterprises, as well as with other representatives of Ukrainian defence industry. This type of work is determined for 100% state order fulfillment and country’s economy recovery. We negotiate with international companies in the military-technical sphere almost daily, to create joint ventures, involve partners and implement bold projects. This way of development will allow bringing Ukrainian defence industry to world best practices, creating new jobs and increasing contributions to national budget. Now we demonstrate our potential in the international arena, at trade shows in particular. For today, a promising model of industrial clusters, with a clear specialization, is developed. State Holding enterprises will be structured into seven areas: Aircraft engineering and maintenance; radar-location and air defence; armoured and special vehicles; missiles, ammunition and explosives; weapon ordnance; electronic reconnaissance, electronic warfare, communications, and automatic control system; shipbuilding and marine engineering. This classification will allow intensifying work of each direction, strengthening internal cooperation and effectively implementing joint projects with our foreign partners.
Defence Turkey: Are you planning to cooperate with Turkey more closely?
Yes, of course. The Republic of Turkey is our important partner, and we are planning to cooperate in different directions. Adoption of global standards in production of arms and military equipment is one of our priorities. Turkey is NATO member, so this experience is very important for military-technical cooperation deepening. By the way, earlier this year UKROBORONPROM organized the 20th meeting of the Joint Working Group Ukraine-NATO. And in April, State Holding developed a “Roadmap reform of standardization in the defence sector in 2015-2018 years.” Special attention is given to the fact, that 8 of our leading enterprises are already using the master directory of NATO logistics. It helps to enter the European market of weapons and implement our import substitution strategy. We have many common interests with Turkey and we can offer new projects. The Republic of Turkey is our important strategic partner. With this in mind, UKROBORONPROM will participate in IDEF 2015 this year, and we invite you to visit our booth (239 / B, Hall 2).
