``We Believe that Türkiye Has Good Production Capability to Reconstruct or Rebuild the Ukrainian Navy! ``

Defence Turkey: Ambassador, thank you for sparing your time. Can I get your comments on Türkiye’s contribution to the war against the Russian invasion. What kind of support are you getting from the Turkish Government and Turkish Defense Industry companies? 

Vasyl BODNAR: I would say in a different manner that we are good partners. We are strategic partners, and we developed our cooperation far before the war. So, we have these supplementary ways of cooperation. When we supply something, Türkiye supplies something else and we gain together. Before the war you know that we have good supplies of BAYRAKTAR TB2s, and they became already veterans of our wars. But we are also let’s not staying back, we're also supplying engines to Türkiye. Well-known AKINCI, KIZILELMA UCAVs and Turkish Heavy Attack Helicopter ATAK-II and respective UCAV like ANKA-III, they all might use Ukrainian engines and some of them already using Ukrainian engines. So, we are also cooperating on establishing a factory in Ukraine. Baykar Makina already announced that they are working on that, and they established a number of companies and we have just recently at the end of September we had a forum which was called the Defense Industry Forum. Nine Turkish companies participated in that, very prominent companies. Also, Baykar announced that they have invested 100 million Dollars into the Ukrainian economy and it’s a very profitable story. So now we are inviting Turkish companies also to start working in the Ukrainian market directly opening their branches. Some companies already have some and a majority of them, just let’s say, do not publicly announcing everything, but be sure that we are good partners. We are supplying each other. We have no political preconditions and the future belongs to us. We will be together much stronger, and we could work in such a tandem which will be creating a stability and security in the region of the Black Sea on the basis of our national interests, which actually remain the same. Our common security defense of our countries and also Atlantic integration. So, we are also asking for NATO.

Defence Turkey: As you mentioned, Ukrainian companies are also providing engines, various types of engines, to Turkish companies who integrate them on their products. For example, as you pointed out Baykar is using your turboprop and also turbofan engines and you're also providing turbofan engines for ANKA-II and turboshaft for ATAK-II. Do you expect any further cooperation because you know ATAK-II will start serial production and will be powered by Ukrainian engines. Is there any possibility to manufacture these engines in Türkiye?

Vasyl BODNAR: Everything is possible. We need to start cooperation on for example engines starting from Ukraine and then if Turkish companies will be part of the story. For example, Motor Sich is within cooperation with other companies then the license would be given to the Turkish companies here or some part of the engines or engines will be produced here (Türkiye). So, it's a good prospect. We are working on that, and it is a good cooperation mechanism which is coordinated by the SSB from the Turkish side and Ministry of Strategic Interests from the Ukrainian side. We have very good institutions which are called the Bilateral Commission on Military Technical Cooperation and despite the war we conducted the last meeting in May here in Türkiye and there is also a plan of working together so I believe that we would have a good prospect not only of producing for each other but also using these products together. 

Defence Turkey: Ukrainian Ivchenko-Progress also providing technical assistance to TUSAŞ and TEI for both APU of KAAN and the development of indigenous turbofan engine for the KAAN. There is huge potential between Ukraine and Türkiye in the field of engines. On the other hand, Ukraine is also procuring MİLGEM Corvettes from STM, the second one is under construction. When do you expect to start operational deployment of these Corvettes. Are they going to stay in Türkiye and will Ukrainian personnel get training in Türkiye? 

Vasyl BODNAR: It is still under construction so when it is finished the decision will be adopted, because it already has its name. It already has its crew and captain appointed, but they should arrive here when the ship will be ready for sea trials. So, we expect next year will be the year of tests and when we will finish testing then the relevant decision will be adopted. Hopefully that until that time the victory will come, and we will finish this terrible war which Russia continues against us. We believe that Türkiye has good production capability to reconstruct or rebuild the Ukrainian Navy and that is one of the points we are working on now and already one corvette is ready and one is under construction, and another is waiting to be started. So, it's a good way to continue our cooperation and to think about also the changing of different strategies because you know that we are also leading in the use of Navy USVs which are already combat-proven and they actually scared the Russian fleet. Some ships which were already damaged, and they're destroyed. So, we proposed to the Russians to withdraw peacefully before the war, but they didn't want to. So, if they don't understand good words, we need to use force. 

Defence Turkey: Even as war is harmful and full of death, it is also teaching something. Ukraine during the last two years has learned many things. Do you also share your experience with Turkish authorities. What makes you more beyond, more powerful against Russia? 

Vasyl BODNAR: Sure, it’s not only our experience, it’s the experience of the whole world because now it's a new type of war and despite we still use tanks, trenches and helicopters or aircraft, it is already an online digital war which is maybe a transition. But it's a new style which we’re already facing and fighting, so we are sharing the experience with all our partners who are supporting us. Our contacts of military, Ministers of Defense, our relevant authorities are very strong and tight, and we believe that this experience will make the country stronger and prevent the aggressive countries to even try to attack any other countries except what they're doing now. So, our experience should be used by everybody just to strengthen themselves. Because the stronger Army you have, you have more possibilities to defend yourself. This event which is also the sharing of experience and also exchanging views, it's also important for understanding what we need to improve as well because it’s always changing and every time improving. So, it's a constant process. But one thing I would like to say is about the historical experience. Tomorrow, we are celebrating 100 years of the Turkish Republic. 100 years ago, ATATÜRK joined the Turkish people and won against superior forces. Today we are also taking this historical experience and despite of the long-lasting war victory came, victory came not by themselves, but the hard work and hard fight of the Turkish people. Then we believe the same. Because we sacrifice so much invest in ourselves so much and we are fighting for our independence and our lands. So, we believe in our victory and the historical experience of the Turkish people is inspiring for us. So once again, congratulations on 100 years and to the years ahead of us.

Defence Turkey: Thank you for sparing your time for our readers