Norway to support Ukraine in setting up the a defence procurement organization

– This letter of intent is the start of a long and fruitful collaboration between our agencies. I am impressed that Ukraine is able to prioritize the creation of a new agency in such a difficult time of war. I think it says something about the commitment and professionalism you show in the defence of your country, said Gro Jære, director of Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency, during the signing of the agreement at Grev Wedels Plass in Oslo on Monday this week.

Visited Norway

The signing took place in connection with a four-day visit by the Ukrainian Defence Procurement Agency to Defence Materiel last week. Delegates from the young agency established last July were here to learn more about how to establish a defense procurement organization in Ukraine. In addition, a representative from the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense and from the Logistics Command of the Ukrainian Armed Forces participated.

– The delegation has had a packed program the past days. They have received an introduction to how we have organized the investment activities in the sector, the organization of the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency (NDMA) and how the agency is managed and led. They have also learned about how NDMA conducts project management and mercantile processes, says Tore Kvalvik, deputy head of the Investment Department at NDMA.

Ukrainian DPA asked Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency for support to develop its agency according to Western standards and working methods in December last year. Therefore, the collaboration will also contain information about NATO standards and how other NATO countries carry out their procurement. FMA will initially cover the costs incurred by the collaboration.

Challenges with corruption

The Defence Procurement Agency was established in July last year under the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense to deal with defense procurement and establish guidelines for these. Defense procurement in Ukraine has had challenges with corruption and other fraud, and Transparency International has assessed that defense procurement in this country has a high risk of corruption.

– That is why it is a consistent theme in our support for Ukrainian DPA to build integrity into their procurement procedures, so that they reduce the risk of corruption or other unwanted incidents, Tore Kvalvik explains.

– I am proud that Ukrainian DPA has come here to learn from us. At the same time, the delegation has given us lessons that we will take with us into our development work, says Gro Jære, Director of Norwegian Defense Materiel Agency.