Ukrainian experts, together with NATO representatives, are developing recommendations for improving the defense procurement system.
The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine together with the State Operator rear” (DOT) and heads of food services took part in an online meeting of the National Agency for the Prevention of Corruption (NACP). The purpose of the meeting was to develop effective anti-corruption safeguards during the procurement of food for the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as well as to improve interaction between participants.
The Ministry of Defense informs about this.
“Transparency in procurement is the key to financial efficiency in the use of budget funds and public trust in the Ministry of Defense. That is why we are building a new procurement architecture that meets NATO practices. We are obliged to provide the Ukrainian Armed Forces with quality food in a timely manner,” noted Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine Dmitry Klimenkov.< /p>
The DOT emphasized that the structure’s task is not only to meet military needs, but also to satisfy society’s demands for transparency, virtue, and the elimination of corruption risks.
“Building an effective food supply system requires the involvement of the heads of food services of military units, their responsible and precise work,” said Dmitry Bigunets, Director of Risk Management and Compliance at DOT.
Meanwhile, the NAPC added that Ukrainian experts, together with NATO representatives, are developing recommendations for improving the defense procurement system as part of the Strategic Review of the Defense Procurement System of the NATO Comprehensive Assistance Package for Ukraine.
Also, NAPC begins an analysis of corruption risks in this area – all interested parties and international experts will be involved in it.
“As a result, we will make recommendations that will contribute to the development of virtue in defense procurement and the implementation of the reform already begun by the Ministry of Defense,” said Yaroslav Lyubchenko, Deputy Chairman of the NAPC.
Based on the results of the meeting, the DOT team will work out proposals for building effective interaction to ensure continuity of supplies.
- Recently, the first 300 truckloads of products purchased by the State Logistics Operator were sent across Ukraine. Further deliveries will be received weekly based on requests from military units.
- The bunker has been operational since December 2023. The Ministry of Defense stated that it had introduced changes in order to avoid interruptions in food supplies for the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as well as to make corruption impossible.
- Later, the Ministry of Defense explained that government procurement will be carried out according to a new system consisting of two levels. The first is the Department of Procurement Policy of the Ministry of Defense, the second is the “State Logistics Operator” and the “Defense Procurement Agency”. The Procurement Policy Department will formulate specialized procurement policies, coordinate the financial activities of agencies and develop regulations. The “State Logistics Operator” will purchase logistical equipment for the army: food, ammunition, fuels and lubricants. At the same time, it will focus on 100% of supplies from Ukrainian producers.
- On April 1, 2024, a new food procurement architecture was launched, presented by the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine and the State Logistics Operator agency.
- The state logistics operator saved 4.6 billion hryvnia in three months. DOT noted that since December last year they have concluded contracts for 11 billion hryvnia. Most of the contractors with whom the agency signs contracts are Ukrainian manufacturers.