Ukraine is set to expand its innovative DOT-Chain defense marketplace to encompass 130 frontline brigades this October, a significant increase from the initial pilot phase that covered just 12 brigades. This initiative enables soldiers to directly order battlefield equipment from approved suppliers, streamlining the procurement process in a critical time for the military.
The DOT-Chain marketplace is managed by the country’s defense procurement agency and operates through a secure online platform, allowing combat units to request essential gear, including drones, communication tools, and electronic warfare devices. Once an order is placed, the agency takes over, handling contracting, delivery, and payments. This system drastically reduces the bureaucratic hurdles often associated with defense procurement.
To facilitate this significant expansion, the government of Kyiv has allocated 1.5 billion hryvnias, equivalent to approximately $37 million, which will be distributed across the newly included brigades. This funding aims to ensure that the military can effectively utilize the platform as it scales up its operations.
Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal emphasized that the expanded platform empowers military units to “set their own priorities and quickly obtain what they need without unnecessary bureaucracy,” highlighting the benefits of decentralizing the procurement process.
Since its launch in 2024, the DOT-Chain program has undergone a transformative evolution in Ukraine’s military supply system. During its pilot phase, the marketplace successfully delivered over 45,000 drones and electronic warfare systems to participating brigades. The innovation has led to a significant reduction in average delivery times, slashing them from several months to approximately 10 days, with some urgent requests fulfilled in under a week.
The catalog of the DOT-Chain marketplace is continuously expanding, recently adding more sophisticated types of fixed-wing drones and specialized aerial systems to its inventory. Future enhancements include the introduction of a Drone Configurator, allowing units to customize their drones for specific mission requirements, alongside a feedback system for evaluating suppliers based on their performance.
Additionally, there are plans to roll out an online service-request feature, aimed at providing rapid technical support and maintenance for the deployed equipment, ensuring that the military can keep its technology operational in the challenging conditions of the battlefield. This progression illustrates Ukraine’s commitment to modernizing its defense capabilities while enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of its military operations.
