In 2026, the Defense Procurement Agency (DPA) significantly expanded the range and scale of supplies for the Defense Forces of Ukraine. According to data voiced in an interview with RBC-Ukraine by Acting Agency Director Artem Romanyukov, this year tactical missiles and aircraft were included in the procurement list for the first time, and the contracting volume for unmanned systems (excluding FPV drones) exceeded the figures for the entire 2025 by 300%. The online marketplace DOT-Chain Defence, launched in July 2025 as a pilot project for 12 brigades, currently connects over 500 units of the Armed Forces, National Guard, State Border Guard Service, and National Police.
New categories and record procurements
The DPA reported that in 2026 the agency announced the largest competitive procedure for vehicles in the history of public procurement—the purchase of 5,000 pickups for the Defense Forces. The most expensive procurement in the entire history of the agency was also completed: the supply of 155mm long-range artillery rounds, where competition between suppliers saved 16% of the initial amount, which, according to the agency's estimate, amounts to billions of hryvnias. Women's body armor and anti-shrapnel suits were added to the clothing supply nomenclature, while quad bikes, motorcycles, and buggies were added to the transport group.
Unmanned systems: 300% growth and FPV drone dynamics
A key focus of 2026 was unmanned systems. The DPA contracted 300% more UAVs (excluding FPV drones) than during the entire year of 2025. For FPV drones, contracting volume grew by 54%, while actual deliveries increased by nearly 3.7 times. The agency emphasizes that the product list is formed based on needs determined by the General Staff and the Ministry of Defense, and the DPA's task is to meet these needs as efficiently as possible by fostering competition and shortening delivery times.
DOT-Chain Defence: From pilot to a system of 1,300 items
The DOT-Chain Defence marketplace, which started with FPV drones, features about 1,300 items from nearly 300 Ukrainian manufacturers as of October 2026. Since the end of July 2025, more than 1.4 million units of equipment worth over UAH 95 billion have been delivered through the platform. The weighted average delivery time from warehouse is 8 days, and for custom-made products, it is 37 days. The military independently selects equipment in accordance with unit needs, while the agency takes care of supplier verification, contracting, payment, and contract execution control.
Impact on the market and development plans
The DPA notes that the marketplace has a structural impact on the defense market: manufacturers compete not only on price, but also on quality, terms, and service, while small companies have gained the opportunity to enter the market and scale production. Accumulated data—product ratings based on actual orders and military evaluations—are already being used to form the product list for centralized direct contracts. The agency names the expansion of nomenclature and the improvement of platform functionality as the next stage. According to DPA representatives, the change in leadership has not led to a halt in procurements: the institution remains stable and continues to fulfill obligations to the Defense Forces.
