Convenient services and access to international markets: how the Ministry of Defence’s state-run enterprise ‘Digital Army’ will support service members, civilians, and businesses.

The Digital Army, a state-run enterprise established under the Ministry of Defence, is responsible for the sustainable strategic development of the Ukrainian Defence Forces’ digital capabilities through cooperation with the private sector and international institutions (intergovernmental, governmental, and private) in digital military innovation.

“Over the last year, the military has made substantial progress in digitalization. Yet, we need to advance more rapidly and identify new opportunities. That is why we established the Digital Army, which will facilitate effective collaboration with the private sector both in Ukraine and internationally, as well as with government agencies worldwide. It will also provide our products with access to the international market,” said Kateryna Chernohorenko, Deputy Minister of Defence for Digital Development.

What the establishment of a new state-owned enterprise will bring?

• For the military: Projects from military units, such as the Center for Innovation and Development of Defense Technologies or brigade R&D laboratories, will receive additional development opportunities through cooperation with the private sector in Ukraine and allied countries. This, in turn, will provide technical military developers with confidence and further motivation to continue advancing their ideas even after the war ends.
• For civilians: Primarily, it involves the further development of products that facilitate the rapid and convenient handling of military registration matters, including deferrals and the search for vacancies in the Defence Forces. It also presents an opportunity to contribute to the development and implementation of defense innovations as part of the Digital Army team.
• For businesses: The products and innovations from businesses and startups will be integrated into the Defence Forces' projects, forming part of ecosystems with comprehensive capabilities necessary not only for achieving an asymmetric advantage over the enemy but also for successfully promoting ideas in foreign markets.

Iryna Kvaskova, Director of the state-run Digital Army enterprise, stated that it is meant to become a platform integrating digital products within the defense sector. This encompasses not only the Reserve+ and Army+ applications but also combat systems and defense innovations. 

“The Digital Army state-run enterprise will serve as a bridge between the state and the private sector. This will substantially accelerate the implementation of innovations that have the potential to greatly enhance the efficiency of combat units. We plan to attract top civilian and military specialists to our team. Moreover, we note strong interest from international partners in the unique combat experience and genuinely innovative digital products in the defense sector. Consequently, this signifies a high potential for Ukraine overall and for the Digital Army state enterprise, particularly within the international defense technology market,” Iryna Kvaskova emphasized.