Overview of Reforms in Defense Sector of Ukraine

We modernize the Armed Forces of Ukraine and strengthen the country.

Overview of Reforms in Defense Sector of Ukraine

THE REFORM PROJECT OFFICE of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine is a permanent advisory body of the Reform Council of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine created by a separate Order of the Minister of Defense of Ukraine No. 426 of August 18, 2015.

Current projects REFORM OF THE LOGISTIC SUPPORT OF THE ARMED FORCES OF UKRAINE:

Project teams are formed by engaging relevant experts and advisers, employees of structural units of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and other military command and control bodies.

Automation of the record-keeping of needs and inventory in the field of material support of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Reform of the food supply and nutrition system of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Reform of the fuel supply system of the Armed Forcesof Ukraine

The aim of activities is to implement systemic reforms of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

July 15-31, 2016

MEDICAL REFORM OF THE ARMED FORCES OF UKRAINE AND THE MINISTRY OF DEFENSE OF UKRAINE:

Optimization of the system for medical and evacuation support of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Implementation of an automatic record-keeping system for medical supplies Implementation of medical information system of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

SEPARATE PROJECTS: Reform of the procurement system of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine Development of the logistics doctrine of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

MINISTRY OF DEFENSE OF UKRAINE, COMMUNICATIONS AND MEDIA DEPARTMENT +38 044 271 34 78, +38 044 245 44 01, psmodu@mil.gov.ua PRESS SERVICE OF THE REFORM PROJECT OFFICE +38 096 844 98 77, +38 067 447 41 05, a.lukashevych@stratcomua.org

July 15-31, 2016

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Reform of the Armed Forces

POROSHENKO SIGNS LAW ON AFU SPECIAL OPERATIONS FORCES The Head of State emphasized that "it is absolutely important in these conditions to protect Ukraine from the aggression unleashed by the Russian Federation against us," and described the new law as a "demand of time for the defense of Ukraine to become much more efficient."

The

law, signed on 26th of July, is seen as meeting NATO standards and fully complies with the tasks of the Ukraine-NATO cooperation, as part of the SOF establishment. It also complies with the provisions of the Strategic Defense Bulletin.

According to the President, Ukraine has already established a special center and special training programs that allow quick and qualitative training of special operations forces.

Poroshenko said that the issues of state defense, security and defense reforms, and supplies of modern armaments and equipment, were the top priorities during his meetings and visits throughout the world.

Poroshenko emphasized that “our partners from USA, Canada and EU pay special attention to the special operations forces, in the context of joint training.”

UNIAN

Partnership

NATO

DEPARTMENT OF STATE – NATO-UKRAINE RELATIONS RISE TO A NEW LEVEL

VICE PRIME MINISTER FOR EUROPEAN INTEGRATION: HOW DO WE CHANGE UKRAINENATO RELATIONS?

The

relations between the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and Ukraine graduated from the level of crisis response to the level of long-term partnership, for the purpose of forming a strong Armed Forces of Ukraine in accordance with NATO standards, said the U.S. Department of State Spokesperson, Joshua Baker, in his commentary to Deutsche Welle. Baker revealed that Washington has allocated an additional $335 million to Ukraine this year for support of Ukrainian defense, especially for training, developing of radar and communication systems and assisting advisors that will help in the fight against corruption.

NATO, in turn, will support the reform of the defense sector in Ukraine, provide assistance in de-mining and teach officers and diplomats to meet NATO standards.

UKRAYINSKA PRAVDA

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The

Mr. Joshua Baker The U.S. Department of State spokesperson

wave of political enthusiasm for NATO provoked

by Russian aggression has opened new opportunities for Ukraine in terms of large-scale cooperation with the Alliance and its member states, says Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze, Vice Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration. In her column at “Evropeiska Pravda”, Klympush-Tsintsadze analyzes the current state of Ukraine-NATO relations and identifies a number of main areas for cooperation between Ukrainian government and NATO on further integration.

UKRAYINSKA PRAVDA

Overview of Reforms in Defense Sector of Ukraine

Trainings

Trainings

ARMED FORCES PROCEED TO THE SECOND PHASE OF MILITARY EXERCISES “SOUTH WIND 2016” The next phase of command-staff exercises started on July 25. The exercises involve military command structures of strategic and operationalstrategic level as well as a number of identified units representing all components of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

MILITARY EXERCISES “SEA BREEZE 2016” INVOLVING PARTICIPANTS FROM 16 COUNTRIES STARTED IN UKRAINE The Ukrainian-U.S. Sea Breeze 2016 military exercises started in Odessa on July 19. This year's exercise involved around four thousand soldiers from 16 countries.

The

soldiers from Ukraine and the U.S. are joined by their counterparts from Bulgaria, Great Britain, Greece, Georgia, Italy, Spain, Lithuania, Moldova, Norway, Poland, Romania, Turkey, Sweden and Finland.

Sea Breeze 2016 took place in the North-Western part of the Black Sea as well as in Odessa and Mykolaiv regions.

The

week-long training will take place throughout Ukraine.

The active phase involves battalion tactical exercises with live firing, airlifts and raids of highly mobile airborne forces, tactical flight training, defense against enemy air assaults, etc.

Ukraine was represented by all of its armed services as well the State Border Guard Service and the National Guard of Ukraine. The maneuvers involved over

25 combat vessels, boats and support vessels from Ukraine, U.S., Romania and Turkey, operating together with 20 aircraft and helicopters and over 140 road and armored vehicles.

Until July 30 the participants trained to operate as part of multinational headquarters and forces while preparing and launching international peacemaking operations according to standards of leading nations.

UKRAINIAN CRISIS MEDIA CENTER

The exercise is additionally designed to verify all aspects related to the organization of territorial defense as well as planning and control over the assets assigned for the period of martial law.

UKRINFORM

July 15-31, 2016

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NATO

SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE REMAINS THE KEY PRINCIPLE OF U.S. POLICY This was the statement of the U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Geoffrey R. Pyatt at the opening ceremony for the active phase of military exercises Sea Breeze 2016.

The Mr. Geoffrey R. Pyatt The U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine

Partnership

main purpose of this exercise is to increase the capability of the Armed Forces of Ukraine to defend its territory. “The U.S. government has allocated over $600 million in aid. It’s major purpose is to develop the Armed Forces of Ukraine and enhance the capabilities of Ukrainian leadership in the field of security and defense, helping Ukraine to defend itself,” said the

U.S. Ambassador. In turn, the United Kingdom Ambassador to Ukraine Judith Gough said that Ukraine will always remain on top of Britain’s agenda. She also mentioned that the United Kingdom is working with other international partners so that “Ukraine would receive the very assistance package it requires the most.”

UKRAYINSKA PRAVDA

Armed Forces Supply

PENTAGON PLANS TO CONSOLIDATE THE COOPERATION WITH THE AIR FORCES OF UKRAINE The U.S. Department of Defense is planning to consolidate its cooperation with Air Forces of Ukraine due to Russian aggression in Eastern Ukraine and Crimea.

ATO PARTICIPANTS RECEIVE ADDITIONAL EMPLOYMENT GUARANTEES This is provided under the new edition of the Law of Ukraine “On Employment” that was signed by the President Petro Poroshenko on July 29.

This

was one of key messages delivered by the Minister of the United States Air Force Deborah Lee James in the course of her visit to Ukraine in July.

Deborah Lee James had several meetings with the leadership of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine and discussed the cooperation between Air Forces of the USA and Ukraine as well as assistance in implementing NATO standards by 2020. She called the talks to be “very substantive” and welcomed the role of Ukrainian Air Forces in the performance of UN and NATO mission worldwide.

UKRINFORM

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The

new wording of the law introduces new categories of citizens with additional employment guarantees. In particular, it included the participants of military operations, including those who took part in the ATO or exercised support functions directly within the area of anti-terrorist operation. According to the law, all

employers to employ the participants of military operations by the assignment of the State Employment Service for a period of over two years shall be entitled to a reimbursement of expenses in the amount of single fee for obligatory state social insurance.

ADMINISTRATION OF THE PRESIDENT OF UKRAINE

Overview of Reforms in Defense Sector of Ukraine

Defense Capacity

Armed Forces Supply

UKROBORONPROM ENTERPRISE RECEIVED A CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE WITH NATO STANDARDS State Enterprise “Konotop Aircraft Repair Plant “AVIAKON”, which is a part of the State Concern UkrOboronProm, has received a certificate of compliance with requirements of NATO AQAR 2120 Standard for its quality management system.

OVER 40,000 PEOPLE SIGNED A CONTRACT WITH THE ARMED FORCES IN 2016

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ccording to the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, a total of 40,800 soldiers have enlisted to the Armed Forces of Ukraine on the contract basis since the beginning of the year. Approximately 4.5 thousand of them are officers.

The regional employment centers are reporting that military service remains one of the most competitive professions in the labor market of Ukraine.

UKRINFORM

Defense Capacity

NATO ESTABLISHED A TRUST FUND FOR ASSISTANCE IN MINE ACTION IN UKRAINE

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viakon is offering an overhaul reconditioning and modernization services for MI series of helicopters.

According to Volodymyr Kostrytskyy, Deputy Director General of the Concern, “The Armed Forces of Ukraine should have sophisticated and high-quality weapons.

Therefore, the Concern continues to implement NATO standards and introduce an international level of production quality.”

New technical standards apply to all stages of product life cycle regulating the implementation of Allied Quality Assurance Publications (AQAP). The other 28 companies of the State Concern have received a temporary access to NATO Master Catalogue of Military Products. Besides, over 60 experts of UkrOboronProm have received the NATO Standardization Certificates.

UKROBORONPROM

N

orth Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and Ukraine established a Trust Fund for Assistance in Mine Action.

This was mentioned by the President Petro Poroshenko at a press conference following the NATO-Ukraine Commission. The Fund provides for 5 special programs designed to increase the capabilities of Ukraine in this sphere as well as a number of bilateral programs.

UKRAINSKI NOVYNY

Defense Capacity

UKROBORONPROM IS READY TO LAUNCH CONSTRUCTION OF AMMUNITION PLANT

S

tate Concern UkrOboronProm is ready to launch a construction of the ammunition plant and waits for the allocation of funds from the state budget.

This was stated by Roman Romanov, General Director of State Concern.

He also mentioned that project documentation and estimates for the

July 15-31, 2016

construction of the plant have long been prepared and submitted to the Cabinet of Ministers. Mr. Romanov believes that Ukraine needs its own production of ammunition since the only national plant is located on the temporarily occupied territory making it impossible to rely on its capacities.

UKRAINSKYI TYZHDEN

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Reform of the Armed Forces

Trainings

MINISTER OF DEFENSE OF UKRAINE INCREASES CONTROL OVER THE FOOD QUALITY FOR MILITARY PERSONNEL The posters containing toll-free number of the Centre for Development and Support of Logistics of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and explaining how to react to a poor quality of food were placed in every mess hall within the Armed Forces of Ukraine by July 29.

UKRAINIAN EOD INSTRUCTORS COMPLETED TRAINING ACCORDING TO NATO STANDARDS The Demining Center in Kamenets-Podolskiy graduated the first off-line EOD instructors trained according to NATO standards.

All

instructors have completed a two-month training program and acquired new knowledge, ability, skills and methods of conducting classes on blasting operations, placement and breaching of engineering obstacles, identification of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), BBUs and fortifications. Most of the training was in close-to-real environment with the extensive use of weapons, simulation device, dummy mines, IEDs, etc.

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ccording to the Head of Centre for Development and Support of Logistics of the Armed Forces o f U k r a i n e D m i t r y M a rc h e n k o “Mobile Team of the Center will be immediately sent in response to a complaint in order to verify the situation and take immediate actions

in response”. The Minister of Defense of Ukraine Stepan Poltorak warned that severe punishment shall be imposed on commanders and those responsible for food support in case of serious violations.

URYADOVYI PORTAL DEPO

Armed Forces Supply

MINISTRY OF DEFENSE TERMINATES A 400-MILLION CONTRACT WITH FOOD SUPPLIER OF DESNA TRAINING CENTER DUE TO MASS POISONING OF MILITARY PERSONNEL The Ministry of Defense intends to terminate a 400-million contract with the company Visit that was providing food services to Desna Training Center because of poor quality of food products.

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ccording to the Ministry of Defense, the personnel of Military Law Enforcement Service of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is currently running the inspection of the accident.

Upon completion, the results of inspection shall be submitted to the Military Prosecutor’s Office for the initiation of criminal proceedings.

The Ministry of Defense is also

planning to initiate a court action in order to terminate its cooperation with Visit. According to the Head of Centre for Development and Support of Logistics of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Dmitry Marchenko, the Minister of Defense of Ukraine ordered to initiate the inspection of other food suppliers in order to verify their compliance with the terms of contract.

UNIAN

Overview of Reforms in Defense Sector of Ukraine