A quick guide for military personnel on ordering drones through the DOT-Chain Defence

The DOT-Chain Defence weapons marketplace was launched in pilot mode in July 2025. At this phase, access to the IT system will be granted to 12 brigades. Upon successful testing, the system is expected to be scaled across the entire Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The military can independently choose the required types and numbers of drones through DOT-Chain Defence, using funds from the Defence Procurement Agency (DPA). The DPA handles most aspects of the procurement process — from contracting with manufacturers to payments and logistics.

The system operates much like a typical online store, but instead of phones and refrigerators, it offers drones. Special attention was given to data security. The system has been certified under Ukraine’s Integrated Information Security System (IISS) standard and the U.S. NIST RFM international standard, while the State Operator for Non-Lethal Acquisition (DOT), as its developer, is certified under the EU’s ISO 27001 standard.

Before granting military personnel access to DOT-Chain Defence, the teams from DOT and the DPA will conduct the necessary training. Furthermore, experts from the agencies have developed a brief reference guide covering the main stages of using the IT system to ensure the information is readily at hand.

System Access Procedure

The process is as follows: The DPA sends a letter to the military unit requesting details of personnel authorized to operate within the system on behalf of the unit.

In response, the military unit also sends a letter identifying the individuals responsible for placing orders, receiving the goods, and signing the acceptance certificate via DOT-Chain Defense. Following a short training session, military personnel receive access to the system.

Accessing the Personal Account

After completing the training, designated personnel from the military unit can log into their personal account. Two-factor authentication will be required for security. It is also important to note that the system does not collect or store any data related to the brigade’s size, staffing, or location.

After logging into their personal account, the service member will see the following main sections: Showcase, Orders, Expenditure Invoices, and Acceptance Certificates.

Showcase

This section displays all drones available for order, including their descriptions and unit prices. A dedicated window will also display the brigade’s overall budget allocated for use within the system.

Clicking on the product card reveals its technical specifications (frequencies, camera, etc.). This is also where drone selection takes place—simply click next to the required drone.

Cart

Operates similarly to conventional marketplaces, displaying a list of selected drones along with their prices. The Cart section allows adjusting quantities and modifying items. This section also provides detailed budget information, including available funds and amounts allocated for drone orders. If the cost of ordered drones exceeds available funds, the system will automatically notify the user.

Orders

For goods in stock, orders eligible for shipment within 7 days following budget commitments are generated.

For out-of-stock items, a pre-order can be placed, which requires the supplier to confirm their ability to produce the item and specify the delivery timeline. If the specified waiting period meets the requirements of the military unit, the pre-order is confirmed as an order.

Next, the order must be confirmed with the electronic signature of the designated personnel who created it. After that, it is considered formed and is transferred to the supplier via the DOT-Chain Defence.

Delivery locations are coordinated directly between the military and the manufacturer, who will deliver the ordered drones. 

This section also contains all orders of a particular military unit, allowing tracking of their status, which drones have arrived, which are still expected, and when. 

Expenditure Invoices

Upon receipt of a product in the system, the service member is required to sign the corresponding expenditure invoice, which will be in digital format. Following this, the drone is authorized for operational use by the military unit. The time from order placement to delivery of the drone through DOT-Chain Defence is expected to take several weeks.

Acceptance Certificate

Within a specified period, the supplier prepares acceptance certificates for goods based on the list of signed expenditure invoices, which must be signed by three parties — the supplier, the military unit, and the DPA — before payment can be processed. At this point, the supply cycle—from order placement to payment—is considered complete.