Ukraine improves logistics under NATO’s Logfas program – Ukraine’s defense minister

Ukraine is improving logistics with the assistance of the NATO program Logfas and has formed a stock of body armor and helmets.

Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov announced this on Facebook.

"As of November 17, 2022, the Ministry of Defense not only met the current needs of the Ukrainian Armed Forces but also formed and for a couple of months has been maintaining a reserve for the army in the form of more than 200,000 body armor and more than 100,000 helmets. We are improving logistics with the implementation of the NATO Logfas program. We explain in detail the logic of our actions to partners and build a system of medium- and long-term support projects. This attracts the economic potential of the free world to the benefit of Ukraine. russia loses in this field," the minister noted.

According to him, the reserve of needs of the Ukrainian Armed Forces will gradually grow by request. In the spring, the Ministry of Defense did a lot to ensure that Ukrainian manufacturers of armor protection were able to maintain and increase production capacity. In the winter of 2022, Ukrainian body armor manufacturers were able to produce 3-5 thousand armor units per month. That did not meet the demands of the military.

"Next year, Ukraine will be able to independently provide all the needs of the defense forces in body armor and helmets. Import, if necessary, can be a spot addition. On the table in front of me are examples of Ukrainian-made helmets and body armor that meet the 4th and 6th class of protection according to NATO standards. I emphasize. What you see is not imported and then assembled and sewn. It is manufactured. From steel and ceramic plates to fabric, fittings, special threads, etc.," Reznikov said.

The minister said that currently, Ukraine does not have the opportunity to produce only one specific component, as there are no appropriate technologies in the chemical industry. Now, a class 6 body armor with ceramic plates and several innovations that reduce the load on the back and allow you to reset the protection with one moving quickly is also being tested. Reznikov noted that during the active phase of the war, Ukraine became de facto independent in one of the essential elements of providing defenders.

"We are trying to apply a similar strategy wherever it is justified. So that Ukraine relies on its potential as much as possible and develops it. First of all, in the process of providing weapons and military equipment. In particular, the Ministry of Defense initiated and ensured the adoption of the Government's decision, which greatly simplified the testing process and acceptance of samples for armament or supply. The next step will be a review of all existing R&D (research and development projects) to leave funding for only those that are result-oriented, as well as changing the approach to R&D implementation," the minister said.

Reznikov says a difficult period is ahead: "The enemy is resorting to terror to cause a humanitarian crisis. But the balance has already changed. russia is doomed to defeat. Ukraine will definitely win. We are working to ensure that the world accepts the Ukrainian vision of victory, and it came as soon as possible."