Everything is done bypassing the Ministry of Defense and is very expensive? State Border Guard Service of Ukraine refutes myths about arms procurement
Kyiv • UNN
The State Border Guard Service has been authorized to purchase defense products for the Armed Forces for UAH 23 billion. The agency refuted six common myths about this decision and explained the legality and feasibility of such purchases.
The State Border Guard Service commented on the delegation of powers to carry out defense procurement for UAH 23 billion and the alleged lack of experience in using this amount of funding and the fact that everything is done bypassing the Ministry of Defense and is very expensive, UNN reports.
Border guards commented on the delegation of powers to the State Border Service Administration to implement a separate budget program in the amount of UAH 23 billion for the purchase of defense goods for the needs of the Defense Forces. In the future, these goods should be transferred to the Armed Forces. The corresponding order of the Cabinet of ministers is dated November 29, 2024.
To clarify the issues that concern the public, the State Border Guard Service explained the situation:
Myth #1. Border guards have no right to make such purchases. This is a "one-time" scam, a threat to the state's defense capability.
Reality. The State Border Guard Service is a component of the Ukrainian Defense Forces. It has a second-level certificate of a spending unit for the purchase of weapons and military equipment. It has procurement experience and trust among arms suppliers.
It pays considerable attention to the supply of ammunition, which is extremely important for Ukrainian soldiers on the front line.
"Border guards not only perform tasks at the border. Our units are at war. For the state border guard service, it is the legal norm to purchase weapons. We have been doing this for a long time, efficiently and on time," says the state border guard service.
Myth # 2. Everything is done bypassing the Ministry of Defense and is very expensive
Reality. No, not bypassing and at the lowest possible price.
The State Border Guard Service of Ukraine constantly makes purchases to supply its units, as it does not receive supplies from other areas, and is ready to join in to provide ammunition to the Ukrainian Defense Forces if the Ministry of Defense and the Government decide to do so. Which is exactly what it is doing.
In the issue of defense purchases, the state border guard service has received great confidence from various structures both in Ukraine and abroad.
Given the fact that the SBGS is respected and has established itself as a reliable contractor for foreign partners, it constantly receives various offers of cooperation in the supply of weapons and equipment.
In accordance with the established procedure, the proposals received are sent to the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine and the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine for detailed study and decision-making.
In November, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine submitted another proposal to the Government to delegate the State Tax Service of Ukraine's authority to carry out defense procurement for UAH 23 billion. The price of ammunition is one of the lowest.
Pricing and delivery terms are under constant control of the relevant regulatory authorities of Ukraine.
"Procurement is carried out strictly in accordance with all regulations, in compliance with all requirements. Cheaper and better than others," says the State Border Guard Service.
Myth #3. Border guards do not have the experience to handle this amount of funding
Reality. That's not true. This is evidenced by the relevant contracts concluded for the needs of the state border guard service, as well as two decisions of the Cabinet of ministers of Ukraine this year on delegating powers to appropriate purchases for the needs of the Defense Forces in the amount of UAH 5.8 billion and UAH 31.1 billion.
"Before making a decision on procurement, representatives of the State Border Guard Service must go for an inspection, including representatives of the Armed Forces. Each batch of delivered goods is checked on the territory of Ukraine," the State Border Guard Service writes.
It is stated that all funds for supplies have been realized. And the shells are already destroying the enemy.
Myth #4. They want to withdraw money to a foreign "pad"
Reality. The intermediary firm that submitted the proposal is NATO-certified. It has many years of experience in the market. It has been cooperating with the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine for 3 years. It is a reliable supplier.
It also claims that it has no outstanding contracts with the State Border Guard Service or delays in the delivery of goods. It does not have any outstanding debts for any supplies to the Ukrainian Defense Forces.
In addition, the rules for the export of arms and military equipment in the EU countries regulate the annual audit, which is one of the main conditions for confirming a previously issued license to operate in this area.
It is noted that the state tax service works only with verified organizations without committing any violations.
Myth # 5. the intermediary company does not have an export license
Reality. Each contract for the transfer of weapons and military equipment provides for obtaining an export license from the relevant state bodies in the exporting countries. Each export license is transferred to the export control service of Ukraine, which reports annually to the International Control Body.
"One of the conditions for obtaining an export license is a signed contract and an end-user certificate. These are typical conditions for all market participants," the State Tax Service informs.
Myth # 6. border guards don't even have the right weapons to be experts in ammunition types.
Reality. False claims about the lack of appropriate weapons for border guards. Currently, the Gpsu units are provided with mortars of all calibers, barrel artillery of various calibers, multiple launch rocket systems and other modern means of destruction.
It is reported that they entered service with the Departments of the department, including as part of purchases under contracts concluded by the state customs service for the needs of the Department.
Addition
Director of the information and consulting company Defense Express, Serhiy Zgurets, said that on November 29, the government issued an order to provide the State Border Service with UAH 23 billion for the purchase of ammunition for the Armed Forces of Ukraine, bypassing the Defense Procurement Agency of the Ministry of Defense.
