The team of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine held a working meeting with representatives of companies specializing in the production of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and other technological weapon systems. This is part of a series of events within the ongoing dialogue with domestic arms manufacturers.
The goal was to discuss the experience of businesses participating in defense procurement and identify areas for improving the existing system, particularly in terms of increasing transparency, competition, and the efficiency of procedures.
“The Ministry of Defense has allocated a third of the defense budget for technological weapons. Today, defense procurement is not only about meeting the needs of the Armed Forces. It is also a powerful driver for the development of Ukraine's technological sector, especially in UAVs, electronic warfare (EW), and missile technologies,” said Hlib Kanyevskyi, Director of the Procurement Policy Department of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine. "The task set by Minister Rustem Umerov for the procurement vertical is to develop the system in a way that stimulates innovation and attracts new participants, added the director."
During the meeting, the Ministry of Defense team presented participants with a breakdown of the structure of the Defense Procurement Agency contractors and current data on the level of competition.
Among the goals for 2025 is the standardization of technical requirements for UAVs. This will allow for a unified approach to product evaluation, simplify procurement procedures, and speed up decision-making. Additionally, standardization will help scale reliable suppliers for the Ministry of Defense.
The participants also discussed the introduction of new formats for cooperation with contractors, including the possibility of procuring not just individual products but comprehensive solutions that include training, technical support, maintenance, and equipment modernization.
The participants separately emphasized the importance of attracting additional financial resources—both within Ukraine and abroad—to ensure the stable development of technological defense production.
