Synchronization of the DOT and the DPA: The Ministry of Defence is expanding the non-lethal procurement reform to include weapons

The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine will establish a Commission to oversee the reorganization of the State Operator for Non-Lethal Acquisition (DOT). The Commission will operate under the framework of the Defence Procurement Agency (DPA). Today, the Order to this effect was signed by the Minister of Defence of Ukraine. 

The Commission will be led by Arsen Zhumadilov, Director of the DPA. Until the end of martial law, the Commission's primary mission will be to extend best practices in integrity, program management, and automation from the DOT to the entire spectrum of supplies for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. This will involve coordinating approaches, aligning legislative frameworks, developing policies, and synchronizing the strategies of relevant agencies. 

This approach will enable the proactive alignment of key processes, ensuring readiness for a comprehensive transition to a new operational model without compromising efficiency or operational capability.  It will also optimize the use of limited budgetary resources. 

This marks an essential phase in the reform of defense logistics, made possible through the collaborative efforts of the Ministry of Defence, stakeholders, and civil society. 

“In December 2023, we launched the State Operator for Non-Lethal Acquisition—a cornerstone of our defense procurement reform. Since then, it has facilitated transparency, savings surpassing UAH 26 billion, the inclusion of new suppliers, and the launch of the advanced DOT-Chain IT system,” said Ukraine's Minister of Defence, Rustem Umerov. 

As stated by the Minister, these accomplishments have enabled the Ministry to concentrate on strategic governance, policy formulation, and oversight, forming the foundation for subsequent reforms in line with NATO standards. The decision to reorganize the DOT continues these efforts to scale ongoing reforms. 

“Until the termination of martial law, we are laying the foundation for merging two crucial institutions—the DPA and the DOT. Our goal is to reduce duplication of functions, streamline management, and enhance the speed of supplies to the military,” the Minister of Defence explained. 

“Now is the optimal time to make this management decision. With each passing month, the parallel existence of the two structures complicates coordination and deepens the gap in approaches. If we want to ensure the sustainability, speed, and predictability of the processes related to military supplies, synchronization must occur now,” emphasized Arsen Zhumadilov, Director of the Defence Procurement Agency.