Poroshenko told reporters at the International Defense Exhibition show here that he hoped talks with the U.S. would yield an agreement to help Ukraine defend itself. Poroshenko had reportedly planned to meet with chief Pentagon weapons buyer, Frank Kendall, at the show.
Flanked by a uniformed military official, Poroshenko walked a display dominated by Ukraine`s large four-wheeled armored car, the Dozor B, and had an emotional visit with an executive from the state concern.
"To keep the peace, we should have the ability to defend ourself," he said. "Today, here united, we do a great job, to increase the defense capability of Ukraine."
Ukrainian companies signed several contracts worth tens of millions of dollars, funding the acceleration of its military`s modernization, Poroshenko later said in a news release.
During the president`s visit, the Ukrainian company Motor Sich JSC and the Paramount Group, a South African company, signed a collaborative deal to further develop the Super Hind Mi-24 military helicopter.
According to Paramount Group Chairman Ivor Ichikowitz, the two companies would exchange technologies, the Ukrainian company`s engines and sophisticated mission systems, and the South African company`s composite rotor blades.
The deal comes as the Ukraine undertakes a strenuous effort to broaden its military production capacity and find new suppliers for parts previously obtained from Russia, particularly in its aviation industry. Spearheading the effort is Ukroboronprom, created in 2010 to coordinate research, development and design efforts of more than 100 companies across five industries.
"Sometimes when you have this kind of enemy on your border, the people get their act together and start moving very quickly," Nadiia Stechyshyna, the investments adviser to Ukroboronprom`s chief executive, told Defense News before Poroshenko`s visit.
The stakes could not be higher. On Monday, a peace deal between Russian-backed separatists and the Ukraine seemed to be falling apart as rebel shelling reportedly continued.
The country, after the conflict began, struggled to equip its neglected military to a basic level; upgrade artillery, weaponry and battle tanks; and implement maintenance programs.
"Nobody actually paid any attention to the way the Army was equipped for the last 23 years," Stechyshyna said. "Everybody was feeling safe and secure, so there was basically zero investment in the armed forces. So sometimes what we are doing right now is getting back to the basics."
At the conference, Ukroboronprom sought to market its own defense products, including the upgraded Oplot Main Battle Tank, which it is fielding to its forces this year or next as it divests from the Soviet-era T-64 and T-72. It also was seeking foreign partners, such as the Paramount Group, with ready technology and production facilities for access to new markets.
"Roughly 70% of armored car parts that Ukraine imported from Russia have been replaced," Stechyshyna said, "a very tough job, and the very heavy lifting has been done in the last few months."
Ukroboronprom`s presence at the show also was symbolic.
"Not being here might have been interpreted that we are scared," Stechyshyna said. "We have to show that we have the production. We have to show that we have the products that can defend ourself from threats."
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