President: Ukraine trying to improve military equipment
Ukraine is working to improve its military weapons and technology, President Viktor Yanukovych has said.
"Weapons must be modern - from special purpose ones to ordinary firearms. We're also working on these samples," he told reporters after inspecting the Prospects 2012 military exercises at the 240th center for training the subunits of the 8th army corps of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the village of Holovenka, Zhytomyr region, on Wednesday.
Yanukovych said that Ukraine had ordered the construction of a new corvette, the construction schedule of which is being observed and funding for which grows every year. He said that over UAH 300 million was envisaged for this year and over UAH 400 million for next year.
He also said that Ukrainian military equipment was currently in demand on the world market. He expressed confidence that the An-70 aircraft would be competitive on the international market.
The president noted that Ukraine was working on new models of marine equipment and weapons for it.
Yanukovych said that Ukraine has extensive experience in building missile systems. However, he declined to disclose details.
"We are also working on these issues," he said.
