Ukraine steps up defence technology development: Defence Ministry sets up centres for air defence, electronic warfare, space and deep strike
Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence is developing a network of specialised defence technology centres. The Main Directorate for Unmanned Systems Capability Development and the Main Directorate for Missile and Artillery Capability Development have already been established.
Censor.NET reports this, citing Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence.
The next step is to establish four more specialised centres: for air defence, signals intelligence and electronic warfare, space policy and technologies, and deep-strike systems.
"Our task is to provide the military, on time and in sufficient quantities, with weapons and technologies that deliver tangible results and an advantage on the battlefield. To achieve this, we are introducing a clear procedure. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine identifies needs based on combat experience, while the Defence Ministry’s specialised centres ensure the implementation of effective, ready-to-use solutions for the front," said Yevhenii Khmara, Ukraine’s Minister of Defence.
The aim is to combine expertise, analysis, innovation and resource provision to meet the needs identified by Ukraine’s Defence Forces, while ensuring the systematic and forward-looking development of weapons, military equipment and defence technologies.
Centre for Unmanned Systems (US) Capability Development
The main directorate will consolidate lessons from the use of unmanned systems in combat, prepare proposals on military-technical policy and support projects. This should help adapt equipment more quickly to technological changes.
Centre for Missile and Artillery Capability Development
The centre works on developing modern missile, artillery and surface-to-air missile weapons, detection equipment and automated command and control systems.
Its priorities include preparing proposals on military-technical policy, developing domestic production, and introducing the latest weapons and technological solutions in line with the needs of the Defence Forces.
Centre for Air Defence Development
The centre will focus on strategic planning for the development of air defence systems. It will analyse and assess the effectiveness of technological solutions, innovative technologies, and promising air defence systems.
Centre for the Development of Signals Intelligence and Electronic Warfare, Navigation Systems and Remote Control Technologies
The centre will test and evaluate technologies, plan and support projects, and cooperate with developers.
Centre for Space Policy and Technologies
The centre will develop policy and standards for the development of space technologies for defence. Its areas of work will include satellite communications and the use of Earth observation data.
The centre will help provide projects with resources and introduce technologies that strengthen Ukraine’s technological independence.
Centre for Deep-Strike Systems Development
The centre will analyse the effectiveness of deep-strike systems in operation. It will also focus on scaling up promising deep-strike systems, equipment and technologies. It will develop approaches to data, metrics, and analytical products, and support development and testing.
Division of responsibilities
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and other military command bodies determine operational needs, capability requirements and development priorities. They are also responsible for planning and managing the deployment of forces and assets. Based on these needs, the Defence Ministry’s centres will prepare technological and resource solutions and support their implementation.
Six centres, one goal: to turn needs identified by the military into modern technological solutions that strengthen Ukraine’s defence capabilities.
