Defense Minister Rustem Umerov unveiled the state-owned enterprise State Logistics Operator (DOT), a new procurement agency for the Armed Forces of Ukraine that will be responsible for all non-military procurement such as food, fuel or clothing, some of which have become the focus of attention. two corruption scandals under the previous leadership of the Ministry of Defense, reports Independent Kyiv.
“This is not just a presentation of a new procurement agency. This is the beginning of a new procurement architecture in the defense sector of Ukraine,” Umerov said in his speech.
“This architecture is built in accordance with international standards and NATO principles in coordination with our international partners.”
The Minister of Defense noted that corruption in the field of defense procurement has haunted Ukraine for decades, stressing that the country should eliminate the “Soviet, oligarchic” approach to public funds.
For their professional services, DOT employees will receive a “substantiated and transparent percentage of orders,” explained Umerov.
General Valery Zaluzhnyi thanked the ministry for the initiated reform.
“The armed forces should focus on carrying out their combat missions, not on obtaining food, clothing or protective equipment,” Zaluzhny said.
According to the general, the DOT should provide the military with high-quality and timely purchases. Among the main tasks of the agency should be the standardization of procurement procedures and their digitization, he added.
The dismissal of the former Minister of Defense Oleksiy Reznikov was preceded by two major corruption scandals: one involving inflated food prices, and the other involving poor-quality winter clothing.
When appointing Umerov as Reznikov’s successor in September, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called increasing the transparency of defense procurement one of the new minister’s key tasks.
The Ministry of Defense appointed Arsen Jumadilov as the director of the DOT on November 1, the launch of the agency is scheduled for December. The first deliveries are expected in the second quarter of 2024.
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Source: Hot News
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