On 21 April 2026, the Independent Anti-Corruption Commission (NAKO) held a Defence Talks discussion titled: “Will Poor-Quality Mortars and Ice-Frozen Meat Persist? Features of the New Product Quality Assurance System in the Armed Forces of Ukraine.”
Speakers included:
- Viktor Byvalkevych, Deputy Director of the Department for Prevention and Detection of Corruption at the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, Colonel of Justice;
- Stanislav Haider, Head of the Supervisory Board of the Defence Procurement Agency;
- Anastasiia Shuba, representative of the Public Anti-Corruption Council of the Ministry of Defence (the Council);
- Yevhen Krasnikov, Head of the Main Directorate for State Quality Assurance;
- Olena Tregub, Executive Director of NAKO.
The new state quality assurance system has been in operation since 1 January 2026. Built in line with NATO standards, it aims to move away from the Soviet-style model of total control exercised by military representations. Instead, responsibility for quality is placed on manufacturers, while the state assumes an inspection function.
As Viktor Byvalkevych noted, further development of the system will be supported by shifting from direct quality control of weapons, military equipment, and materiel to a broader state quality assurance approach. “Manufacturers should be guided toward complying with quality standards, with greater attention paid to quality control processes and adherence to legal requirements. It is also important to draw on the experience of partner countries,” he said.
The Defence Procurement Agency is expected to become a key actor in shaping the quality control process. This is one of the Supervisory Board’s strategic goals for 2026, according to its head, Stanislav Haider. At the same time, he emphasized that ensuring product quality should not be limited to the acceptance stage, but must begin earlier—during bid preparation and contract conclusion.
The Council has been advocating for the introduction of a state quality assurance system since 2023, said Anastasiia Shuba. “The rollout of this system has sent a positive signal to international partners that Ukraine is seriously preparing to become a full-fledged NATO member,” she noted. At the same time, further development of a full-fledged system will require support from the government, parliament, the Ministry of Defence, and civil society. Shuba confirmed that the Council stands ready to continue supporting the Main Directorate for State Quality Assurance, including through field inspections and staffing support. A Declaration of Cooperation between the Council and the Directorate is expected to be signed soon.
Yevhen Krasnikov explained how the updated system works. According to him, the process has two stages. At the pre-contract stage, auditors assess risks related to delivery timelines and quality assurance mechanisms at the enterprise. This allows the customer to obtain a more realistic assessment of the manufacturer’s capabilities before signing a contract. At the second stage—during contract implementation—quality control and process inspections are carried out. “Under the defence procurement law, the manufacturer is responsible for quality. Even before signing a contract, they must guarantee that the product will meet technical specifications, state standards, and contract requirements. Our role is to support this process and highlight risk areas where production failures may occur,” Krasnikov explained.
Olena Tregub shared international practices in quality control, highlighting institutional independence as a key condition for effective oversight in defence procurement. For example, in the United States, a separate agency monitors contract implementation and inspects product quality directly at production sites. In EU and NATO countries, quality is ensured through standardized control systems, where independent inspectors assess not only the final product but the entire lifecycle. “In the defence sector, poor-quality products are not just inefficiency—they pose a risk to soldiers’ lives. That is why state quality assurance is not bureaucracy or a purely technical function. It is, in fact, an element of national security. Many countries structure this system differently, but all treat it with utmost seriousness,” Tregub noted.
The Defence Talks are meetings where Ukrainian government representatives, high-ranking officials, representatives of the public sector, the diplomatic corps and the media discuss key trends and challenges in the security and defence sector.
NAKO is a civil society organization dedicated to strengthening Ukraine’s resilience against internal and external threats in critical areas of national security through independent research, effective advocacy, and public awareness initiatives. NAKO provides institutional, legal, analytical, and communications support to the Public Anti-Corruption Council of the Ministry of Defence.