KYIV. Sept 17 (Interfax-AVN) - Brazil wants more joint defense industry projects with Ukraine and is ready to bring forward the signing of an agreement on it, the Ukrainian Industrial Policy Ministry cited Brazilian Defense Minister Nelson Jobim as saying on Thursday.
Jobim was speaking at a meeting in Kyiv with Ukrainian Industrial Policy Minister Dmytro Kolesnikov, who said the fact that there is no such accord hinders cooperation between the two countries under armaments projects, the ministry said in a press release.
Terms for such an agreement were discussed during a visit by Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
Kolesnikov mentioned the competitive potential of Ukraine's defense industry in sectors such as aircraft, space rocket and armor manufacturing and suggested cooperation projects.
The suggested projects included the joint development of the planned S-390 transport aircraft, which would be able to carry up to 19 tonnes of cargo, and of the planned multirole Antonov An-38 aircraft. Ukraine also offered cargo transportation services with the use of An-124 Ruslan and An-224 Mriya aircraft.
Jobim said Brazil planned to renew its air force park by 2018.
Ukraine also offered to help repair Brazilian navy vessels, join forces with Brazil in developing a tank weighing up to 40 tonnes, and fit the Brazilian army with light armor.
Ukraine also announced it planned to bid for building frigates and patrol boats for Brazil.
It is expected that Ukraine's Black Sea Shipbuilding Plant (ChSZ) will soon start repairing ships for Brazilian oil company Petrobras, the release said.
Jobim and Kolesnikov reached an agreement to set up working groups for cooperation in manufacturing aircraft, ships, armor, air defenses, and communications.