"The country is protected by results": NSDC responds to criticism of defense procurement

During war, one should evaluate concrete results rather than assumptions and interpretations. This is how Diana Davityan, head of the office of the NSDC Secretary, commented on the criticism directed at the Ministry of Defense and certain weapons manufacturers in her author's blog, UNN reports.

"The difference between a person working in any ministry and journalists or activists is that they have a significantly larger volume of information when making decisions. When it comes to the Ministry of Defense, especially procurement, and even more so during a major war, a significant portion of this information is classified as 'for official use,' 'secret,' and 'top secret.' In other words, journalists and activists do not have access to this data. However, officials also cannot disclose it to explain the logic behind their actions," Davityan wrote.

She emphasized that decision-makers take into account the context and various factors: the operational situation, the actual production capacities of enterprises, the position of the military, the capabilities of international partners, risks to the front line, and dozens of other factors, many of which are not public.

"That is why many decisions that may look contradictory or incomprehensible from the outside have a completely different logic on the inside," emphasized the head of the office of the NSDC Secretary.

She analyzed several cases that, in particular, became the object of criticism from certain members of the public against the backdrop of the "Midas case." Specifically, she addressed critical points raised against the Ukrainian weapons manufacturer Fire Point. Davityan stressed that there is competition in the long-range drone market and that the Ministry of Defense contracts an increasing number of manufacturers every year.

"For example, in 2024, the Ministry of Defense contracted six deep-strike manufacturers. In 2025, this number doubled to 12 manufacturers. In 2026, this figure could be even higher," Davityan wrote, adding that these are only MoD contracts, while there are also procurements by other components of the Defense Forces, including the SBU.

Therefore, claims about a monopoly by a single manufacturer do not pass a fact-check.

"In both 2024 and 2025, the Ministry of Defense contracted absolutely all production capacities of all deep-strike manufacturers operating in the market. Why did one company receive more money than another? Because some companies were able to scale production faster by setting up a larger production line, and therefore were able to sell more drones. It's simple arithmetic: the more you make, the more you sell," Davityan added.

Davityan also analyzed the case of the so-called "Mindich body armor." According to her, the whole story boils down to a few points: the State Operator for Non-Lethal Acquisition (DOT) contracted a company to supply 10,000 bulletproof vests; during the acceptance stage, it was discovered that the vests did not meet standards; the situation with the inspection and clarification of circumstances dragged on, but ultimately the vests were not purchased and no money was paid for them.

She also touched upon the criticism regarding the work and reform of the Defense Procurement Agency, emphasizing that the DPA, as DOTChain Defence, continued its work within the DOT structure. 500,000 drones have already been delivered to the military through DOTChain Defence.

Davityan emphasized the need to evaluate concrete results during wartime, rather than assumptions, rumors, or interpretations.

"Because during war, the country is protected not by assumptions, not by interpretations, and not by loud headlines. The country is protected by results," she concluded.

As a reminder

The chief designer and co-owner of Fire Point, Denys Shtylerman, publicly responded to the accusations that have been leveled against the company in recent months by certain media outlets and public activists. According to him, Fire Point did not receive state funding for development, and the information pressure surrounding the company is already affecting defense contracts and international cooperation.

According to him, there are at least ten manufacturers of deep-strike systems operating in Ukraine, and Fire Point's share was formed because the company was one of the first to start scaling production. He admitted that his company produces approximately 55% of the drones in the "deep-strike" market, which became possible due to the reinvestment of profits into scaling production.