How Ukraine Rebuilt Its Military Acquisition System Around Commercial Technology
Published on January 24, 2025
Executive Summary This report explores Ukraine's shift in the development and deployment of military innovation, with a special focus on the role of the commercial sector and on changes in the acquisition process that have facilitated the rapid integration of these technologies into military operations.
Key Findings;
- Ukraine has radically pivoted its approach to military innovation, moving from a wholly state-owned research and development (R&D) model to one in which innovation is outsourced to the commercial sector. Historically dependent on closed, state-run defense research, Ukraine has turned to private companies and civilian engineers to meet military needs. This shift reflects the battlefield success of commercial technologies, proving their efficiency where traditional government-owned capacities have fallen short.
- The Ukrainian government acts as an enabler of rapid testing and deployment of commercial technologies in military and battlefield operations. Efforts taken by the stakeholders of the defense sector have included streamlining procurement processes, offering economic incentives to the private sector, and creating a regulatory environment conducive to innovation, which includes the absence of restrictions on defense-related Al development and deployment.