Codification of Arms and Military Equipment in Ukraine: A 2026 Guide for Manufacturers and Foreign Partners
Published: 6 November 2026. Author: Petro Bilyk, Partner, Technology and Investment Practice, Juscutum.
In short. Codification in Ukraine is the procedure by which a product receives the status of a supply item for the Defence Forces and is entered into the Catalogue of Supply Items. A manufacturer applies through the Ministry of Defence digital service “Arsenal”, and the Main Directorate for Life-Cycle Support of Weapons and Military Equipment (the Main Directorate) carries out the codification. The procedure is governed by the Instruction on the organisation of supply of weapons and military equipment under martial law (Ministry of Defence Order No. 354 of 28 May 2025). Since 2026, confirmation of an “urgent need” is no longer required. Codification is a separate step from admission to operation and from the supply contract.
Ukrainian version: Кодифікація ОВТ: як виробнику подати заявку.
What is codification of arms and military equipment in Ukraine?
Codification gives a product the status of a supply item and enters information about it into the Catalogue of Supply Items. It is the first step towards systematic supply to the Defence Forces: it organises the information about the product and opens access to Ministry of Defence procurement. For a manufacturer it is also the moment when technical characteristics, documentation and technology rights must be documented well enough to withstand review by the commission and later contractual requirements.
How does codification relate to the NATO Stock Number (NSN)?
According to the Ministry of Defence, an NSN is a 13-digit code of a supply item in the NATO codification system, and Ukraine has been a full participant in that system since 2019. The Ministry stresses that an NSN is assigned to the supply item, not to a specific product of a manufacturer. In the national procedure, once a product is codified, the Main Directorate assigns the code and enters the supply item into the Catalogue. An NSN identifies the item; it does not guarantee a purchase, does not replace admission to operation, and does not replace export permits. More: NSN and codification in Ukraine (in Ukrainian).
Who handles codification and where do you apply?
The Main Directorate for Life-Cycle Support of Weapons and Military Equipment of the Ministry of Defence carries out codification. A manufacturer applies through “Arsenal”, the Ministry’s digital service for arms manufacturers (section “Window for arms manufacturers”). The platform provides a step-by-step algorithm, sample forms and separate explanations for unmanned systems, electronic warfare (EW) equipment and ammunition. According to a Ministry of Defence clarification of 1 August 2025, sole proprietors (FOPs) may also apply.
The public Ministry explanations we reviewed do not address applications by foreign manufacturers directly. If you are outside Ukraine, confirm eligibility and the correct applicant with the Main Directorate before preparing documents.
How does the codification process work, step by step?
- Prepare the documentation. Description of purpose and tactical and technical characteristics (TTCs), test results, technical specifications, design documentation and information about the enterprise.
- Apply through “Arsenal”. Use the platform’s algorithm and sample forms.
- Commission review. A specialised commission assesses whether the tests are sufficient to confirm the declared characteristics and prepares an act with its conclusion and recommendations.
- Codification. If the result is positive, the Main Directorate assigns the code and enters the supply item into the Catalogue.
- Procurement under the technical specifications. The Ministry of Defence purchases the product on the basis of the manufacturer’s technical specifications.
Which documents are required?
Under the 2024 version of the Instruction, a manufacturer submitted five documents: a cover letter describing the product, its purpose and TTCs; a test programme and methods; a test report with protocols confirming each declared characteristic; draft technical specifications; and a set of working design documentation. The manufacturer’s contact details are provided separately. Check the current list and forms on “Arsenal”, because they are updated together with the Instruction. An incomplete package or incorrect declared parameters lengthen the review.
How long does codification take?
In May 2024 the Ministry of Defence announced that obtaining a NATO code for a new sample had been reduced to 10 days. This is a benchmark, not a guaranteed term, and applies where the developer submitted a full package: a test programme and methods, a report and protocols confirming test sufficiency, and draft technical specifications agreed with the military representation. If the developer cannot carry out tests, the Ministry and the manufacturer may conclude a joint decision, and codification can take longer. The actual term depends on the quality of documents and test results.
What is admission to operation, and how is it different?
Admission to operation is a separate decision that allows a sample to be used by the Defence Forces. According to the Ministry of Defence, amendments to Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 345 of 25 February 2015, adopted on 21 November 2023, shortened admission of a new sample to 20 days, depending on the quality and completeness of the manufacturer’s materials. The Ministry also reported removing a stage where the order on admission had to be agreed by several Ministry structures and the General Staff, which usually took about a month. In its reporting the Ministry usually states how many samples were “codified and admitted” together, but for a manufacturer these are different steps. More: admission to operation (in Ukrainian).
What changed in 2026?
In 2026 the government updated three resolutions on codification. According to the Ministry of Defence and Army Inform:
- No urgent-need confirmation. A product can be codified regardless of current procurement plans.
- Manufacturer-approved technical specifications. The Ministry of Defence purchases under them.
- Simplified ammunition testing. Demonstration tests are not duplicated.
- Drones and tactical-level EW. A manufacturer’s quality certificate is sufficient for procurement, without additional state-control procedures. The manufacturer bears full responsibility for the quality of the supply.
- Simplified purchase of explosives by ammunition manufacturers.
The Ministry reported that, as of 16 June 2026, 1,000 samples had been codified and admitted since the start of the year, of which 892 (about 90%) were Ukrainian-made, including over 300 unmanned aerial systems, 188 munitions and over 60 EW systems.
How are drones and components handled?
For unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), the Ministry reported 650 systems codified and admitted since the start of 2026 as of 22 September 2026. For a UAS, an NSN may be assigned to the whole system and separately to its components: the UAV, the ground control station and the initiation board. A component is tested as part of a UAS that is already codified or undergoing codification. For other separate elements of military equipment, the supply service (the operator or its representative) determines whether the element is to be supplied, accounted for or replaced separately, forms the list of components and submits the application to the Main Directorate. More: codification of UAVs, FPV drones and components (in Ukrainian).
What legal issues should be resolved before applying?
Rights to the product and documentation. Confirm that the rights to design documentation, software and firmware, and technical specifications belong to the manufacturer or have been assigned to it. If developers or contractors did not transfer rights, both the application and later contracts are at risk.
Responsibility for quality. Where a manufacturer’s quality certificate is sufficient, responsibility for the supply rests with the manufacturer. Supply contracts should clearly allocate warranty obligations, penalties and acceptance procedures.
Export. Codification and admission within the Defence Forces do not replace export permits, which are governed by separate rules.
Corporate structure. Production, technology rights and contracts should sit in a structure that can withstand scrutiny by investors and the state.
Always check the current wording of the acts and the “Arsenal” platform: the rules changed in 2023, 2024 and 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What is codification of military equipment in Ukraine?
A procedure by which a product receives the status of a supply item for the Defence Forces and information about it is entered into the Catalogue of Supply Items.
Where do you apply for codification?
Through the Ministry of Defence digital service “Arsenal”, in the section “Window for arms manufacturers”.
Who carries out codification?
The Main Directorate for Life-Cycle Support of Weapons and Military Equipment of the Ministry of Defence. For a separate element or component, the supply service submits the application to it.
Is confirmation of urgent need still required?
No. After the 2026 reform a product can be codified regardless of current procurement plans.
How long does codification take?
In May 2024 the Ministry of Defence announced a reduction of the procedure for obtaining a NATO code for a new sample to 10 days, provided a full package of documents is submitted. This is a benchmark, not a guaranteed term.
Does an NSN guarantee procurement?
No. An NSN identifies a supply item. Procurement depends on admission to operation, technical specifications and a contract.
Can a foreign manufacturer apply?
The Ministry of Defence explanations we reviewed do not address this directly. Confirm eligibility and the correct applicant with the Main Directorate before preparing documents.
Sources
- Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, 25 July 2024: simplified codification procedure (in Ukrainian)
- Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, 30 May 2024: codification reduced to 10 days (in Ukrainian)
- Ministry of Defence of Ukraine: how arms are codified in NATO countries and Ukraine (in Ukrainian)
- Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, 1 August 2025: sole proprietors may apply (in Ukrainian)
- Ukrinform, 24 November 2023: Ministry speeds up supply of new weapons
- Army Inform, 2 March 2026: codification reform (in Ukrainian)
- Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, 16 June 2026: 1,000 samples codified (in Ukrainian)
- Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, 22 September 2026: 650 UAS codified (in Ukrainian)
Need legal support from documentation to supply contracts? Contact us at partner@juscutum.com or see Juscutum.
