United to win: Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense signs first direct contract with Swedish manufacturer

While the Swedish Minister of Defense, Paul Jonson, was visiting Ukraine, the "Defense Procurement Agency" of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense initiated a direct contract with a Swedish production company.

The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine reported this.

What is the problem?

Ukraine's Deputy Minister of Defense, Dmytro Klimenkov, emphasizes that working with foreign partners is a top priority for the Ministry of Defense. This will significantly enhance the support for Ukraine's armed forces and bolster their combat readiness.

What is the solution?

The contract was made possible thanks to the support of the "Defense Materials Administration of Sweden, FMV" within the scope of the Cooperation Agreement between FMV and the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, which was signed during the NATO summit in Vilnius in July 2023.

"A journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step. On this path, there are still many projects that we have to implement in partnership with our colleagues from FMV to meet the urgent needs of Ukraine's armed forces. Still, this first step is responsible and the most important!" the Director of the "Defense Procurement Agency" Maryna Bezrukova, said.

How does it work?

Cooperation with the Swedish Defense Materials Administration makes it possible to speed up the development of Ukraine's own agency and carry out further purchases based on the best European experience in the transparency of the process of purchasing the necessary products through the use and implementation of the best European models.

The action plan agreed on by the parties at the beginning of February in Stockholm, in addition to the planned contracts, also provides for the possibility of connecting to the current Swedish purchases.

For his part, FMV CEO Göran Mårtensson noted:

"The experience of our cooperation under this first contract will pave the way for many subsequent contracts shortly and strengthen Ukraine's armed forces!".

For reference:

It should be that the Ministry of Defense is reorganizing and "cleaning the system." The Ukrainian Minister of Defense, Rustem Umerov, announced the discovery of new corruption violations in the Ministry of Defense.

As Rubryka previously reported, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine appointed Maryna Bezrukova as the new head of the state enterprise "Defense Procurement Agency." Bezrukova was appointed head of the state-owned enterprise "Defense Procurement Agency" instead of Volodymyr Pikuzo, who headed the enterprise from August 2022. He was fired from the "Agency" amid the scandal with the Hrynkevych family.

The state enterprise "Defense Procurement Agency" ensures centralized national security and defense procurement. The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine established this enterprise in June 2022.

It was reported that from the beginning of the second quarter of 2024, food purchases by the Ministry of Defense will be made according to new rules.

In 2024, the newly created enterprise of the Ministry of Defense – the State Rear Operator – will provide clothing, food, fuel and lubricants, body armor, helmets, and tactical equipment to Ukraine's armed forces. Rubryka previously reported that the Minister of Defense signed an order to appoint experienced manager Arsen Zhumadilov as the general director of the State Rear Operator.

From December 2023, the agency "State Rear Operator" will deal with procuring products for the army.