Ukraine’s Defence Ministry launches six defence tech development centres

Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence is setting up six specialised defence tech development centres. The Main Directorate for Uncrewed Systems Capability Development and the Main Directorate for Missile and Artillery Capability Development have already been established, the ministry said.

The next step is to set up four more specialised centres: for air defence, electronic intelligence and electronic warfare, space policy and technology, and deep strike systems.

What the centres will do

The Main Directorate for Uncrewed Systems Capability Development analyses combat experience with drones, prepares proposals on military-technical policy and supports projects.

The Main Directorate for Missile and Artillery Capability Development is responsible for missile, artillery and surface-to-air missile weapons, detection systems and automated control systems. Its priorities include developing domestic production and introducing new weapons.

The functions of the future centres:

• Air defence: strategic planning of air defence development and assessment of technological solutions;
• Electronic intelligence and electronic warfare, navigation systems and remote control technology: testing and assessing technologies, supporting projects and working with developers;
• Space policy and technology: policy and standards for satellite communications and Earth observation data;
• Deep strike systems: analysing the effectiveness of deep strikes, scaling up promising capabilities, and supporting development and testing.

“The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine determines needs based on combat experience, and the Defence Ministry’s specialised centres deliver ready, effective solutions to the front line,” Defence Minister Yevhenii Khmara said, describing the centres’ role.