First Deputy to the Secretary of the NSDC of Ukraine Oleg Hladkovskiy discussed with the representatives of India’s defense sector the issue of expanding bilateral cooperation

First Deputy to the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Oleg Hladkovskiy took part in the opening of the international specialized exhibition "Aero India 2019". The Ukrainian delegation also included Commander of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine colonel-general Serhiy Drozdov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to India Igor Polikha, director of the SE "Antonov" Oleksandr Donets, the top-management of the SC "Ukroboronprom".

During the exhibition, Mr. Hladkovskiy met with Union Minister of State for Defense Subhash Bhamre, during which the parties discussed issues of expanding cooperation between the countries, in particular, the possibility of promoting the newest Ukrainian An-132 aircraft to the Indian market to replace the An-32 park of the Indian Air Force. The An-132D is presented in India for the first time, in particular, the aircraft is carrying out demonstration flights within the framework of the exhibition.

The possibility of supplying spare parts and ammunition for the Soviet-era military equipment to India, the joint participation of Ukrainian enterprises in repairing and modernization of such armored vehicles were also considered.

Moreover, Mr. Hladkovskiy held talks with Defense Production Secretary Ajay Kumar, during which the issue of involving representatives of the private sector of India's defense industry in the joint Ukrainian-Indian production of military and dual-use goods was discussed. The First Deputy to the Secretary of the NSDC of Ukraine noticed that Ukrainian defense enterprises are ready to actively participate in the implementation of Make in India programs, which, in turn, will allow launching large-scale mutually beneficial joint projects.

Meetings with the leaders of the largest Indian public and private companies also took place, where the possibility of joint production of modern radars and modernization of air defense systems were discussed.

The "Aero India" exhibition is held every two years. This year it runs from February 20th to 24th in Bangalore.