The DOT and the DPA are defense procurement agencies working to implement a systemic anti-corruption infrastructure, taking into account the specifics of each procurement model. At the same time, both agencies adhere to a common strategic framework – the recommendations of the NATO-Ukraine Strategic Defence Procurement Review.
These approaches were presented during a joint public event organized by the State Logistics Operator, the Defence Procurement Agency, the National Agency for the Prevention of Corruption (NAPC) and the NATO Representation to Ukraine. The event was also attended by representatives of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, the Supervisory Boards of the DOT and the DPA, civil society and the media.
The discussion focused on:
- peculiarities of forming a compliance system in DPA;
- the results of the implementation of preventive mechanisms in the DOT;
- tools for interaction with the market and the role of open communication with stakeholders.
In his opening remarks, Tim Polmeyer, NATO Comprehensive Assistance Package to Ukraine Project Coordinator at the NATO Representation, emphasized that the growing attention to Ukraine's defense sector by international partners is related to the desire to help build sustainable, effective institutions with proper powers that work for results and bring victory closer.
"It is important to focus the discussion on the goal, vision, and expected results. Today, society talks mainly about corruption/anti-corruption, while real achievements are overlooked. People do not ask whether the processes are in place, whether the structures that implement them are sustainable, which is what actually forms an institution. That is why I am sincerely grateful to the NACP for its professional platform. I am grateful to the supervisory boards for a difficult but always professional discussion," said Arsen Zhumadilov, Head of the DPA.
During his presentation, Dmytro Bihunets, Deputy Head of the Commission on the Reorganization of the State Defence Enterprise, noted that public interest and constructive dialogue increase the system's sustainability by allowing for the raising of difficult but necessary issues. At the same time, he said, the DPA needs a flexible anti-corruption mechanism, different from the DPO, that allows combining transparency requirements with the sensitivity of defense procurement.
"At the Defence Agency, we focus most of our efforts on systematic work with the market. In 2025, we introduced new practices: “single window” for suppliers, a unified model of interaction and an end-to-end compliance function at all stages of procurement. As part of the implementation of Recommendation 10 of the Strategic Review, a register of verified suppliers has been created, which has already included 1247 companies," says Dmytro Bihunets about the progress of the Defence Procurement Agency.
NAPC representatives emphasized the significant progress of procurement agencies in a short time. According to NAPC Head Viktor Pavlushchyk, this was achieved by implementing a risk-based approach to combating corruption and preserving the agencies' institutional autonomy from external interference.
As a result, the participants of the event came to a common opinion: building a comprehensive anti-corruption infrastructure should be based on international experience and best practices, such as ISO certification, while adapting to martial law conditions, market peculiarities and high public demand for transparency and accountability.
We are grateful to our partners for organizing the event and for their cooperation, which contributes to strengthening institutional capacity and increasing confidence in defense reforms.
