Ukrainian border guards to get 24 patrol helicopters and speedboat

Ukraine will purchase 24 modern light patrol helicopters for the State Border Guard Service, President Petro Poroshenko has said.

He said this at the personnel training center of the State Border Guard Service in the village of Orshanets near Cherkasy on Friday.

"Twenty-four modern light patrol helicopters will be purchased for the border service. The country is implementing 18 joint international projects concerning the improvement of border protection," he said.

In addition, Poroshenko said, a regional directorate of maritime security will be set up, and a new UMC-1000 speedboat will be purchased. "This year, we are waiting for the conclusion of contracts for the construction of 22 modern patrol ships," he said.

The service is introducing modern approaches to integrated border management and is taking joint measures to counter cross-border crime. Effective cooperation was established with the border and law enforcement agencies of partner countries and international security institutions, Poroshenko added.

op