Oleg Hladkovskiy: Ukraine is ready to consider the possibility of joint production of armored vehicles with Thailand

In the first quarter of 2018, the Ukrainian side completed a contract for the supply of "Oplot" tanks for Thailand's needs. As part of the successful implementation of the bilateral agreements, a delegation from the Ministry of Defense of the Kingdom of Thailand, headed by Deputy Minister of Defense, Mr. Chai Changmongkol, is paying a visit to Ukraine from June 13 to 16.

During the visit, Thai high officials held talks at the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, visited the enterprises of SE "Ukroboronprom", and met with First Deputy to the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Oleg Hladkovskiy, who noted that the Kingdom of Thailand is one of Ukraine's strategic partners in the Asia-Pacific region.

He emphasized that our state is ready to continue to export armored vehicles to Thailand, as well as to expand the range of military products required by the army of the Kingdom.

Mr. Hladkovskiy stressed that Ukraine had proven itself as a reliable supplier of military production. He also noted that domestic specialists could provide proper maintenance and support for armored vehicles, in particular, the supply of spares and components. Therefore, according to the First Deputy to the Secretary of the NSDC of Ukraine, consideration should be given to the possibility of opening such a service center on the territory of Thailand.

The parties also discussed the Thai government's strategy for developing its military industry and the issue of the possibility of transferring Ukrainian technologies to joint production of armored vehicles in Thailand.

Besides, Mr. Hladkovskiy considers it expedient to launch the Joint Ukrainian-Thai Commission on cooperation in the field of the defense industry to discuss specific joint projects.