Ukrainian Council of Defence Industry Becomes an Effective Platform for Direct Dialogue Between Manufacturers and the State

The Ukrainian Council of Defence Industry has become an effective platform for direct dialogue between manufacturers and the state. No protocols or unnecessary pathos—just real impact on decisions.

Here is how it works:

During the latest 'Among defence manufacturers' meeting, participants discussed an experimental programme of the Main Directorate of Defence Innovations of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine—focusing on forward contracts and financing innovations. For the first time, the developers of the programme did not arrive with a finished document, but rather to listen to the manufacturers.

The result is concrete proposals from market participants:

— formulating orders through a description of the problem that needs to be solved rather than through tactical and technical requirements (TTR);

— providing critical status for enterprises that secure contracts;

— allowing flexible financing models: from full state funding to co-financing or self-funded execution;

— ensuring the possibility of flexible contract amendments during the development process.

Currently, the Ministry of Defence and the UCDI are already working together on implementing these proposals. This is a win-win:

— The state creates an effective mechanism that is not detached from reality.

— Manufacturers understand the logic of the programme even before its launch and will be able to enter contracts quickly.

We expect the first forward contracts to appear by the end of 2025.

This is another significant shift: from defence bureaucracy to real cooperation with manufacturers. When innovations are not blocked by the system, but supported. When programmes are designed not in offices, but together with those who create weapons for the front line every day.

Join the meetings via the link.