Ukraine and Pakistan start the practical implementation of the agreements in defense industry aimed at expanding cooperation in armored vehicle production under the Pakistani T-80UD tanks upgrade program.

State-run enterprise Ukrspecexport said that at the 13th International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX) 2017 (the United Arab Emirates), the top managers of the Ukrainian enterprise met with representatives of Armed Forces of Pakistan. Ukraine and Pakistan signed two contracts to overhaul first five T-80UD tanks of the Pakistani Armed Forces (a pilot project) and to supply 88 tank sights to Pakistan.

The contracts were signed as part of agreements confirmed in the memorandums of cooperation signed at the IDEAS 2016 (Pakistan) in November 2016 with the participation of Ukrainian Defense Minister Stepan Poltorak, the press service said.

The IDEX 2017 was held from February 19 through February 23 in Abu-Dhabi. It is the only international defense exhibition and conference in the MENA region demonstrating the latest technology across land, sea and air sectors of defense.

At the IDEAS 2016 International Defense Exhibition in November 2016 Ukrspecexport and Heavy Industries Taxila (Pakistan) signed a memorandum of understanding to expand defense cooperation in repair and modernization of armed vehicles of Pakistan. The agreements achieved envisage the $600 million defense contract for Ukrainian production facilities.