O. Turchinov: Modern domestically produced military equipment is capable to protect maritime borders of Ukraine reliably

Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Oleksandr Turchynov took part in the launching ceremony of the first of the series of project 58503 "Centaur" assault landing boat.

"Ukraine has long-standing maritime traditions, going back to Prince Oleg of Kiev campaign against Byzantium in 911, where he had nailed his shield to the then Tsarregrad's gate as a sign of his victory," said the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine. - I mean, we may say that the history of the Ukrainian Navy is more than a thousand year old. "

O. Turchynov has recalled that the total length of the maritime section of the state border of Ukraine equals 1355 kilometers, and the total area of ​​the exclusive maritime economic zone - more than 72 thousand square kilometers, within which our state has sovereign rights for exploration, development and conservation of natural resources.

"The issue of enhancing the potential of the Navy is becoming especially relevant due to the increased military presence of the RF in the Azov-Black Sea region and the blockage of maritime shipping in the Sea of ​​Azov," he said.

Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine has highly commended  the potential of the Ukrainian defense industry. "Our defense companies once again prove that they are capable of producing a competitive and reliable materiel. This boat is entirely designed and built in Ukraine, its characteristics correspond to the best world standards, "- said O. Turchynov, adding that despite this, "it has significantly lower cost." According to him, this armored boat, capable of moving at a speed of 40 knots, can carry 36 marines with organic weapon, sufficient for organization of a beach stronghold. "The boat has powerful armament: a multiple launch rocket system and two combat modules with heavy machine guns and grenade launchers that fire accurately due to the stabilization system without reducing the speed of the boat, which greatly increases its combat potential, safety and mobility of the amphibious element" - noted the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine.

"Military equipment entering the Navy - boats, weapons, etc., allow us to implement the decision of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine to increase our military presence in the Black and Azov Seas and securely protect the maritime borders of Ukraine," he summed up.