Last week, representatives of Ukraine held a meeting with Austrian and Norwegian colleagues at the Austrian Ministry of Defense to discuss transparency and accountability in the defense sector.
As part of the expert seminar "Identifying and Managing Corruption Risks in the Defense Sector," Dmytro Bihunets, Director of Risk Management and Compliance at DOT, outlined the system's key challenges, the results of the implemented anti-corruption policy, and the vision for further development.
For DOT, the past year was dedicated to building an anti-corruption infrastructure, whose successful results demonstrate the institution's high efficiency: the absence of corruption cases and savings of UAH 16.3 billion on procurement of logistical supplies.
The experience of European procurement agencies is unique—the discussed corruption risks and management methods showcase the effectiveness of open procedures, the minimization of power abuse, and the improved efficiency of budgetary spending.
Beyond procedures and anti-corruption mechanisms, special attention was given to a key factor that underpins institutional capability and the functioning of the entire state apparatus—human capital. Clear role definitions, delineation of responsibilities, establishment of performance indicators, systematic training, and personnel development are not one-time initiatives but essential tools that must become an integral part of daily operations.
We are grateful to our partners from CIDS, the Austrian Ministry of Defense, and colleagues from the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, NACP, the State Border Guard Service, and the National Defense University of Ukraine for the opportunity to exchange best practices and engage in an open dialogue.
