Government expands private air defence capabilities, Defence Ministry says
The Cabinet of Ministers has expanded opportunities for companies to join private air defence and improved the operating rules for the pilot project.
The Defence Ministry’s press service reported this, Censor.NET reports.
The decision, initiated by the Defence Ministry, was adopted at a Cabinet meeting.
"The changes are intended to strengthen Ukraine’s air defence capabilities as the enemy intensifies aerial attacks on critical infrastructure," the ministry said.
The act adopted by the government provides for six key changes:
- Companies already participating in private air defence will be able to protect not only their own facilities but also those of other companies under a contract;
- Air defence assets may be transferred for use between authorised companies based on a joint decision with Air Force Command;
- New criteria for companies’ participation in the pilot project have been added: Defence City resident status and/or designation by the Defence Ministry as critically important;
- Crewed aircraft may be used as part of air defence teams;
- Opportunities to deploy interceptor drones have been expanded, with rules established for companies’ use of warheads and electric detonators;
- The minimum age for members of companies’ air defence teams has been lowered from 21 to 18.
The Defence Ministry stressed that private air defence continues to operate under military command and within the Armed Forces of Ukraine’s integrated air defence system.
More about the project
The ministry recalled that the pilot project is being implemented under Ukrainian Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 1506 of November 19, 2025.
It allows companies to provide additional protection for their employees, production facilities and energy infrastructure, which are systematically attacked by enemy unmanned systems. The decision also allows air defence capabilities to be rapidly scaled up without placing an additional burden on the air defences of Ukraine’s Defence Forces.
Private air defence teams began combat operations in the spring of 2026.
