Ukraine launches new procurement model for defense innovations - Fedorov
Kyiv • UNN
The government has launched a project for simplified procurement and testing of technologies in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. A new intellectual property protection policy in the defense industry has also been approved.
The Ministry of Defense announced the scaling up of defense innovations and is launching a new procurement model, as reported by Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov on social media on Monday, writes UNN.
In modern warfare, victory goes to those who introduce new technologies faster. The government has launched an experimental project that allows for rapid procurement, testing, and implementation of innovative solutions for defense needs.
Previously, according to him, there was no procedure that allowed the Ministry of Defense to procure innovations for testing in the troops. Innovations entered the troops unsystematically.
Now, Fedorov noted, key changes are being implemented:
- The Ministry of Defense has the right to quickly procure innovative products under a simplified procedure;
- AFU units receive innovations for combat testing and make decisions on their effectiveness;
- solutions proven in battle get a path for inclusion in the supply requirement.
This project, along with previous changes regarding a new approach to defense procurement of UAVs, according to Fedorov, aims to provide the troops with only equipment proven effective.
"This refers to innovative goods, technologies, software, and solutions that can strengthen the capabilities of the army right now. This allows us to shorten the path from development to application, respond faster to the needs of the front, and build systematic feedback between the military and developers. Our task is to ensure that the most effective technologies reach the army as quickly as possible and are scaled up," the minister emphasized.
At the same time, Fedorov also announced the strengthening of the protection of rights to defense technologies and the introduction of unified rules for intellectual property management in the defense industry.
"The government has approved a policy for intellectual property management in the defense-industrial complex," he noted.
The updated policy, according to his data, provides for:
- protection of rights to technologies created in the public sector or purchased with public funds;
- clear rules for state customers and enterprises regarding intellectual property management;
- the ability to effectively scale already created solutions in production.
Private sector enterprises can adapt approaches to their own operational needs. This creates unified rules of the game for all participants in the defense market and allows for faster implementation of technologies in production, the head of the Ministry of Defense noted.