Ukrainian delegation begins visit to IDEF 2021 arms exhibition in Turkey

A Ukrainian delegation, led by Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Strategic Industries Oleh Urusky, has started its visit to the IDEF 2021 International Defence Industry Fair, which opened in Istanbul on Tuesday, August 17, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

"Cooperation with Turkey in the defence sector is strategic in nature. Our countries are moving in the right direction and they have a wide range of prospects for the development of cooperation," Urusky told Ukrinform at the beginning of the exhibition.

Urusky also met with Head of the Presidency of Defence Industries of Turkey Ismail Demir.

"Our participation in the exhibition is not accidental. This is one of the world's most powerful defence exhibitions. Cooperation between Ukraine and Turkey has become strategic, in particular in the defence industry. Today there are a number of signed contracts and at the meeting with my good friend Ismail Demir we assessed the progress of the contracts that have already been signed and we talked about our prospects. They are pretty good because we have something to offer each other. We talked about expanding cooperation in the aviation industry, cooperation related to UAVs, helicopters, the possibility of establishing joint ventures in the near future. The range of interaction is becoming wider and we have something to present here. We have a good stand of Ukroboronprom at this exhibition, which also presents private companies, including Motor Sich and FED. We are moving in the absolutely right direction in terms of our cooperation with Turkey," Urusky said.

Urusky visited the Ukrainian stand at the exhibition, which is a joint exposition of the state defence conglomerate Ukroboronprom, organized by the state-owned company Ukrspecexport. The stand presents the products of Ukrainian defence industry companies – the Skif anti-tank guided missile system, the Vilkha heavy multiple rocket launcher, the Kvitnyk-E guided artillery projectile, the Neptune R-360 cruise missile, etc.

Ukraine also showcases prototypes of the 1760KR composite floating dock with a submarine, the Bohomol rocket artillery boat, the Kaira-150 multifunctional boat, etc.

Earlier reports said that the largest defence exhibition, annually held in Turkey with the participation of hundreds of defence companies from around the globe, was moved from May to August due to the coronavirus pandemic.

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