{"id":25621,"date":"2026-03-24T12:58:25","date_gmt":"2026-03-24T10:58:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thedefender.media\/?post_type=insights&p=25621"},"modified":"2026-03-30T19:12:20","modified_gmt":"2026-03-30T16:12:20","slug":"kvertus-codification-first-experience","status":"publish","type":"insights","link":"https:\/\/thedefender.media\/en\/insights\/kvertus-codification-first-experience\/","title":{"rendered":"Codification: lessons from a first attempt. Op-Ed by Kvertus CEO Yaroslav Filimonov"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Defence equipment codification is a prerequisite for working with centralised customers, including the Ukrainian Defence Procurement Agency. So manufacturers planning to work systematically with the state or export to NATO countries will inevitably face this process. In a column for Defender Media, Kvertus CEO Yaroslav Filimonov recalls his first experience with codification, shares key lessons, offers advice to newcomers, and highlights areas where the system still needs improvement.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When we at Kvertus<\/a> first applied for codification in late 2023, the state was only beginning to establish practices for admitting certain categories of equipment \u2014 such as tactical-level electronic warfare systems \u2014 into service with Ukraine\u2019s Defence Forces. There were no clear algorithms, nor enough case studies to rely on. In many ways, we were going through the process for the first time alongside state institutions, helping shape the practice as we went.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, one thing is clear: obtaining a NATO<\/a> Stock Number (NSN) for every serial product was a purely pragmatic decision. As long as a manufacturer works only with volunteers or individual units, some level of documentation chaos is manageable. But systematic cooperation with the state and large-scale contracts are virtually impossible without this \u201centry ticket\u201d \u2014 the NATO code.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Formally, equipment can still be supplied based on internal military test reports signed by units. But centralised Ministry of Defence<\/a> procurement and most public tenders via Prozorro typically require codified products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A lesson that cost us a month<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Our first codified products were the Kvertus AD Counter FPV and the Kvertus AD Counter FPV Backpack. The formal procedure for obtaining the code took about a month, but the preparation lasted much longer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most challenging part was developing design and technical documentation that fully complied with state standards. It\u2019s not enough to build an effective device \u2014 it must be formalised: specifications, testing methods, operating procedures, and performance parameters all need to be documented and verified either in-house or through certified testing centres.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was precisely this work on documentation that delivered several very practical lessons.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Yaroslav Filimonov, Kvertus CEO \/ Photo courtesy: Kvertus press office<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

One of them came later, when working with already codified equipment. Due to inexperience, we specified a particular laptop model \u2014 an Acer with an exact model index \u2014 in the technical requirements. When that model became unavailable in Ukraine, we found ourselves in a formal deadlock: even replacing it with another laptop of the same brand or a more powerful equivalent was impossible because it did not match the documentation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result, shipments to the state were delayed for nearly a month while we amended the technical documentation. Now we phrase such requirements differently: we simply specify \u201claptop\u201d and list the minimum technical characteristics it must meet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar logic applies to system components. It\u2019s not worth listing minor internal elements as separate items. Otherwise, during inspections, they will be checked individually \u2014 creating unnecessary bureaucracy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

New rules: the process is now much simpler<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

For smaller manufacturers just starting out, there is good news: the codification process has become significantly simpler in recent years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During martial law, the procedure is regulated, among other things, by the Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 1275. Amendments introduced in March further streamlined the process and reduced the number of approvals required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Read more<\/strong>: The Ministry of Defence has simplified the arms codification to speed up procurement<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Today, the process roughly looks like this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n