Updated 2 October 2026. Author: Peter Bilyk, Head of Technology and Investment and AI, Juscutum.

This guide is for general information and is not legal advice. Rules in this area change frequently, so confirm current requirements before acting.

To supply the Ukrainian army, a manufacturer normally goes through three stages. First, the product is codified, which gives it the status of a supply item and an NSN in the Catalogue of Supply Items. Second, the company is verified by the Defence Procurement Agency (DPA) and entered in its register of verified suppliers. Third, the DPA runs the procurement, its collegiate body selects the winner, the Ministry of Defence approves the purchase and a contract is signed. Since 1 January 2026 the DPA is the single buyer for the army, and since April 2026 it is the central purchasing body for defence customers under martial law. This guide is aimed at Ukrainian manufacturers and the foreign partners and investors who work with them.

Key terms

• Codification: the process by which a product becomes a supply item for the Defence Forces and is entered in the Catalogue of Supply Items.
• NSN: a number assigned to the supply item in the codification system. It is assigned to the supply item, not to a specific manufacturer's product.
• Arsenal: the Ministry of Defence's digital service for submitting codification applications for new products.
• Defence Procurement Agency (DPA): the state enterprise of the Ministry of Defence that concludes supply contracts, finances deliveries and monitors performance.
• Register of verified suppliers: the DPA's list of companies that passed verification.

Stage 1. Codification

Codification is the first step toward systematic supply to the Defence Forces. The procedure is set by the Instruction on organising the supply of weapons, military and special equipment during martial law (Ministry of Defence Order No. 354/нм of 28 May 2025). Applications for new products are submitted through Arsenal, which provides a step-by-step algorithm, sample forms and separate guidance for unmanned systems, electronic warfare equipment and ammunition.

Reform of March 2026. The government amended three resolutions to speed up the path from development to supply:

• confirmation of an "urgent need" is no longer required, so a product can be codified regardless of current procurement plans;
• manufacturers approve their own technical specifications, and the Ministry buys against them;
• ammunition testing is simplified to avoid duplicate demonstration tests;
• for tactical-level drones and electronic warfare equipment, a manufacturer's quality certificate is sufficient at procurement, and the manufacturer is fully responsible for the quality of delivery;
• purchase of explosives by ammunition producers is simplified.

According to the Ministry, more than 1,000 items were codified in 2026, including over 300 UAVs.

Documents. Under the 2024 version of the Instruction, a manufacturer filed five documents: a descriptive letter with the name, purpose and technical characteristics; test programme and methods; a test report with protocols confirming each claimed characteristic; draft technical specifications; and a set of working design documentation. Contact details are added separately. The current list and forms are published on Arsenal and are updated with the Instruction.

Components. An individual element of military equipment can be codified if it is to be supplied, accounted for or replaced separately during operation of the main product. The need is determined by the relevant supply service, which acts for the operator, and the service files the request with the Main Directorate for life-cycle support of weapons and military equipment.

Stage 2. Supplier verification

The DPA keeps a register of verified suppliers to speed up cooperation with the market. Verification covers security, compliance and integrity, including financial stability, business reputation and compliance with the law. After a successful check the company is entered in the register. If it is refused, the DPA must give a reasoned decision.

Stage 3. Procurement and contract

The General Staff defines the army's need by priority. The DPA runs the procurement procedures. A collegiate body of the DPA selects the winner and passes the contract for execution, and the Ministry of Defence checks that the purchase matches the approved volumes of need.

Who is responsible for what. Under Cabinet Resolution No. 447 of 6 April 2026, the DPA is the central purchasing organisation for defence customers during martial law. The state customer is responsible solely for the technical, quality and quantity characteristics of the item purchased. The DPA is responsible for organising and running the procurement. For a supplier this means that any change to technical requirements should be recorded in writing, with a clear record of who approved it.

Contract terms to check

If a dispute arises

If the supplier delivers goods that do not meet the technical specification, it has limited time to correct the defects. Until they are corrected, orders may be suspended. If the breaches are not remedied, the DPA may apply penalties or terminate the contract. Practical steps are to keep records and acceptance reports from the first delivery, respond to remarks in writing within the deadlines, collect evidence of compliance with the specification (test protocols, certificates, technical correspondence) and assess the pre-trial claims process and litigation risk before deadlines expire.

Related regimes

• Export. A contract with the Ministry of Defence does not replace an export permit. See Export Permit for Military and Dual-Use Goods from Ukraine.
• Defence City. Resident status affects taxes and operating conditions. See Ukraine Defence Tech: Legal Guide.
• Foreign partners. Rules for foreign suppliers, joint production and localisation depend on the structure of the deal and should be reviewed separately.

Frequently asked questions

Who buys weapons and equipment for Ukraine's army?
Since 1 January 2026, the single Defence Procurement Agency, which is also the central purchasing organisation for defence customers under martial law since April 2026.

What is codification and why does a manufacturer need it?
It gives a product the status of a supply item and enters it in the Catalogue of Supply Items. It is the first step toward systematic supply to the Defence Forces.

Where do I apply for codification?
Through the Ministry of Defence's digital service Arsenal.

Is a confirmed military need required for codification?
No. After the 2026 reform a product can be codified regardless of current procurement plans.

What is enough for procurement of tactical-level drones and EW equipment?
A manufacturer's quality certificate, without additional state quality-control procedures. The manufacturer is fully responsible for the quality of delivery.

How do I become a DPA supplier?
Pass verification covering security, compliance and integrity and be entered in the register of verified suppliers. The DPA's collegiate body then selects the winner, and the Ministry of Defence approves the procurement.

What happens if delivered goods do not meet the specification?
The supplier has limited time to correct defects, and orders may be suspended. If the breaches are not remedied, the DPA may apply penalties or terminate the contract.

Sources and related reading

• Codification of new weapons and military equipment (Ministry of Defence)
• How to become a supplier of the Defence Procurement Agency (Ministry of Defence)
• Cabinet Resolution No. 447 of 6 April 2026
• Кодифікація озброєння: порядок для виробників (Ukrainian)
• Контракти з Міноборони для виробників (Ukrainian)

Contact

To discuss codification, supplier verification or a procurement contract, contact the Juscutum Technology and Investment team through the contact page.