The Ukrainian Defense Procurement Agency DOT has announced the launch of a new competitive tender for the supply of extended-range 155mm artillery rounds for the Defense Forces. This was reported by Minister of Defense Mykhailo Fedorov, confirming that the procedure has already been initiated.
Competition instead of monopoly
All manufacturers and suppliers whose products meet the established technical requirements are invited to participate. For security reasons, the tender will take place in a closed environment. This is not just another procurement — it is part of a systemic reform of defense spending, aimed at minimizing corruption risks and making every budgetary hryvnia as effective as possible.
The first such tender set a record in volume: it allowed for the procurement of long-range 155mm shells on an unprecedented scale. Moreover, thanks to healthy competition between suppliers, it was possible to save more than 16% of the initially expected cost. These funds will now be directed towards the acquisition of additional tens of thousands of rounds — directly for the needs of the front.
New rules of the game from 2026
From January 1, 2026, all procurements for the Ukrainian army will be carried out exclusively through the single Defense Procurement Agency DOT. This centralized solution is designed to eliminate duplication of functions and increase the transparency of processes. Already in March of this year, the Ministry of Defense changed the procurement procedure for key categories of weapons: UAVs, unguided missile systems, and ammunition. Now contracts are distributed among several suppliers — to avoid dependence on a single manufacturer and reduce the risks of supply disruption.
NATO support and international recognition
In April of this year, NATO agreed for the first time to provide large-scale financial and expert support for the Agency's reform. This became an important signal: Western partners see the Ukrainian procurement model as an example of effective defense budget management, which could be useful to other countries of the alliance as well.
The reform is not just changing procedures — it is changing the culture. Instead of closed deals and monopolies — open competition, transparency, and results. And most importantly — every saved percentage turns into additional shells that fly straight to the target.