Ukraine, Kazakhstan sign $150-mln deal to produce armored vehicles

PanARMENIAN.Net - Ukraine and Kazakhstan are to jointly produce the Ukrainian BTR-4 armored personnel carrier in a $150-million deal signed on Thursday at the Kadex 2012 defense exhibition in Astana, Ukroboronprom General Director Dmitry Peregudov said, according to RIA Novosti.

Kiev and Astana signed an initial agreement on joint cooperation on armored vehicle overhaul at the end of 2011.

"Today we've moved to a new level - production of the most modern Ukrainian designed product, the BTR-4. In all, a hundred machines will be built," he said. "The first ten will be built this year, and the remaining 90 next year. The overall value of the deal is $150 million," he said

Ukraine will guarantee delivery of technology and systems for joint production, and also personnel training, said Kazakhstan Engineering's President Bolat Smagulov.

"We're interested in the development of joint projects, in particular large caliber guns, navigation systems and other defense items," he said.

The BTR-4 was developed in the early 2000s. The vehicle is designed to carry troops into battle and provide fire support to them in extreme hot and cold weather conditions.