Turkey looks to expand defense ties with Ukraine

By Ali Cura

KIEV, Ukraine (AA) - The defense sector can be a key area to increase bilateral trade between Turkey and Ukraine, Turkish Defense Industry Undersecretary Ismail Demir has said.

Demir gave the remarks to Anadolu Agency when he was attending an international arms and security exhibition in capital Kiev late Tuesday.

He highlighted Turkey’s cooperation with Ukraine on several projects, including modernization of tanks, aviation and electronics.

"We think that both countries complement each other as a defense industry. As our negotiations continue, we have the opportunity to study their details more closely," he added.

"One of the greatest elements of achieving a trade volume of $10 billion in 2023, jointly proclaimed by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, will be the defense industry.”

"Therefore, it is important for us to talk about cooperation by using products and technology as much as trade volume and figures."

Following the sixth meeting of the Turkey-Ukraine High-Level Strategic Council, several agreements were signed in various fields between the two sides.

Turkey's leading defense company Aselsan also signed a $43.6 million contract in Ukraine to supply communications systems on Tuesday.

Erdogan during his visit had called for improving business cooperation, including in military relations and defense industries.

Turkish National Defense Minister Nurettin Canikli and Ukrainian Defense Minister Stepan Poltorak signed a cooperation protocol on Monday.

Turkey's Defense Industry Undersecretary Ismail Demir and Ukroboronprom Deputy Director General Volodymyr Kostrytskyy also signed an action plan on the same day.