Ukrainian arms manufacturers have won NATO defense tenders for first time
For the first time in history, two Ukrainian defense companies have won NATO tenders. This was made possible by a new mechanism for cooperation with the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA).
Alona Getmanchuk, head of the Ukrainian Mission to NATO, told reporters in Brussels about this during an event marking the launch of UARM Hub, a platform for Ukrainian arms manufacturers, according to Censor.NET.
According to Hetmanchuk, Ukrainian defense companies are gradually being integrated into the Alliance's procurement system.
In particular, the NSPA has established a special mechanism called the Security Cooperation Support Partnership, which allows Ukrainian companies to participate in NATO procurement programs.
"Two Ukrainian companies have already participated in NATO tenders and were declared the winners," the head of the Mission said.
She did not specify the names of the companies or the details of the contracts.
Hetmanchuk emphasized that Ukraine's cooperation with NATO is no longer limited to a model in which the Alliance merely provides assistance.
"We are establishing a format for full-fledged two-way traffic," she said.
According to her, the Ukrainian defense-industrial complex is already making a direct contribution to the security of NATO member states.
At the summit in The Hague, the allies also agreed that investments in Ukraine’s defense and its defense industry can count toward meeting the new defense spending target of 5% of GDP.
Ukrainian companies are being given access to NATO grants
Hetmanchuk also noted the signing of a memorandum between Ukraine and DIANA—NATO’s defense innovation accelerator.
Ukraine became the first partner country of the Alliance to sign such an agreement.
The document opens up opportunities for Ukrainian companies and startups to participate in NATO innovation competitions, receive grants, gain access to more than 200 testing sites, and attract private investment.
In addition, a special partner-matching mechanism allows Ukrainian manufacturers to collaborate with companies from NATO countries to jointly develop, test, and scale up defense technologies.
