"Private EW" has started appearing on critical infrastructure in Ukraine
Photo: Ministry of Defense

The first operators of critical infrastructure in the energy and defense-industrial complex have already purchased and installed electronic warfare (EW) systems to protect their own facilities. This was reported by Minister of Defense of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal.

Enterprises can use both their own and attracted funds to purchase electronic warfare equipment. At the same time, the enterprise remains the owner of such equipment, which makes it impossible to move it to another region or use it to protect other facilities.

To organize the procurement process, the Ministry of Defense has developed and approved practical steps for the implementation of the pilot project.

Algorithm for participation in the experimental project:

  • The company is requesting the Ministry of Defense to strengthen the air defense of a critical infrastructure facility;

  • The Ministry of Defense conducts threat modeling and proposes several options for technical means to cover the facility;

  • After this, the enterprise obtains the right to purchase or import the relevant equipment and its subsequent installation;

  • Since the enterprise is not authorized to independently deploy powerful electronic warfare systems, it enters into an agreement for their free-of-charge operation with a military unit;

  • The military unit integrates electronic warfare systems into the national air defense system and uses them to protect the relevant critical infrastructure facility.

"This is an example of how the state, business, and the Ukrainian military are working together to strengthen the country's defense," Shmyhal wrote.

Denys Shmyhal