From recruitment to AI: Ukraine and Germany deepen cooperation in the digitalization of the Defence Forces

Ukraine and Germany are deepening their cooperation in the digitalisation of the Defence Forces as part of the bilateral security agreement. In particular, the parties are working to expand cooperation between the defence agencies of both countries.

This was discussed during a visit to Berlin by a delegation from the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, led by Deputy Minister Kateryna Chernohorenko. 

The Ukrainian delegation held meetings with representatives of the Ministry of Defence of Germany — a strategic partner of Ukraine in the field of digitalisation — as well as NATO. During the meetings, digital solutions currently used in wartime conditions were presented.

In Berlin Kateryna Chernohorenko also held bilateral meetings with Lieutenant General Michael Vetter, Director General for Cybersecurity and IT and Chief Information Officer of the German Ministry of Defence, and Christian Freuding, Head of the Special Ukraine Staff. The discussions focused on strategic partnership and enhancing cooperation.

The Ukrainian side presented the full cycle of defence sector digitalisation — from recruitment and day-to-day service support to technologies on the battlefield.

Key topics of the meetings included:

• Reserv+, a mobile app for persons liable for military service that automates military registration and optimizes recruitment.
• Army+, a service app that simplifies military service by reducing bureaucracy and providing development opportunities.
• Electronic warfare — approaches and solutions applied in the electromagnetic spectrum on the frontline, presented by Pavlo Khazan, representative of the Main Directorate of Electronic and Cyber Warfare of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
• Cybersecurity – experience in protecting digital infrastructure from thousands of attacks each month and the security architecture of defenсe systems, presented by experts from the Cyber Incident Response Centre.
• AI and digital combat systems — examples of AI integration in drone operations demonstrated by the 412th NEMESIS Regiment of the Unmanned Systems Forces.

“Technology will be the foundation of a sustainable peace in the future. Ukraine is already developing these solutions and has much to share with its allies. Today, we are the only country in Europe where digital tools are shaping the battlefield in real time,” emphasised Kateryna Chernohorenko, Deputy Minister of Defence for Digital Development.

In conclusion, working meetings were held with departments of the German Federal Ministry of Defence. The parties identified areas for further cooperation and agreed on a joint action plan.

In particular, partners from the German Federal Ministry of Defence will continue supporting the implementation of digital tools for Defence Forces of Ukraine including the Army+ and Reserv+ apps, the DELTA combat system, and other defence digitalisation projects.