Solutions to win: Ukraine’s defense ministry to acquire 20,000 drones using Prozorro platform for the first time

The "Defense Procurement Agency" of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine will purchase 20,000 unmanned aerial systems (UAVs) through the Prozorro system for the first time.

The Ministry of Defense reported that.

What is the problem?

Drones are critical in modern military operations, providing reliable reconnaissance, navigation, and attack functions.

"With the help of these technologies, Ukraine's armed forces will be able to beat the enemy more effectively and liberate the occupied territories faster," said Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine Dmytro Klimenkov.

What is the solution?

The Defense Procurement Agency, together with the State Rear Operator, is one of the procurement agencies of the Ministry of Defense and purchases weapons and ammunition for Ukraine's armed forces. Both agencies work according to modern corporate standards and are guided by the approaches practiced in NATO.

The procurement of unmanned aircraft systems (UAVs) will take place through the application of a framework agreement in accordance with the Special features of defense procurement during the period of the legal regime of martial law, approved by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine [Ukraine's government – ed.] Resolution No. 1275 dated 11.11.2022. This will allow competitive procurement of necessary goods without disclosing sensitive information to the general public.

How does it work?

The total expected cost is almost 3 billion hryvnias (excluding VAT). Delivery date: until May 31, 2024.

The corresponding announcements were published in Prozorro on March 4 for the following procurement items:

• UAV type DJI Mavic 3E – 15,000 units. The expected cost is UAH 2,000,550,000 (without VAT).
• UAV type DJI Mavic 3 Thermal – 5000 units. The expected cost is UAH 989,081,667 (without VAT).

The expected cost is calculated using the average price based on the received commercial offers.

"These tenders confirm our commitment to transparency and efficiency in defense procurement. We are doing everything we can to ensure that we get the best solutions for our country and our military," said Maryna Bezrukova, director of the Defense Procurement Agency.

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 procurement in national security and defense spheres. 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 operator of the rear- will provide clothing, food, fuel and lubricants, body armor, helmets, and tactical equipment to Ukraine's armed forces. As Rubryka previously reported, the minister of defense signed an order to appoint experienced manager Arsen Zhumadilov as the general director of the State Rear Operator.

The Defense Procurement Agency of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine concluded the first direct contract with a Swedish manufacturing enterprise.