KIEV, Feb. 20 – Foreign countries are showing interest in the products of the Ukrainian defense industry, Defense Minister Dmytro Salamatin said.

"Potential arms importers currently show interest in Ukrainian defense products. However, Ukraine is unlikely to maintain its position on the world market of arms and military equipment without creating conditions for manufacturing competitive domestic products, and increasing funding into research and development work," the newly-appointed defense minister said in an interview with Interfax-Ukraine.

According to him, in 2011 Ukraine supplied military products and services to 62 countries around the world. "Our main markets are Asia and Africa, including India, Algeria, China and Iraq. Last year's highlights were the conclusion of the contracts to supply armored vehicles to Ethiopia and Thailand," the minister said.