Course Focus: The DOT-Chain Defence Weapons Marketplace
A new training course called "DOT-Chain Defence Weapons Marketplace" is now available in the Army+ app. Created for military personnel, it walks users through the state IT system used by the Defense Procurement Agency (DOT). The course has eight lessons and was produced in collaboration with the Magura civil society organization. The initiative is another step in Ukraine's ongoing effort to digitize defense logistics and procurement.
What the Eight Lessons Cover
The curriculum addresses multiple aspects of using the marketplace, including:
- Gaining access to DOT-Chain Defence and enabling two-factor authentication;
- Navigating the catalog, searching for necessary equipment, and placing orders and pre-orders;
- Handling order management, signing documents with a qualified electronic signature (QES), and following delivery status;
- Working with expense invoices and acceptance certificates;
- Using the drone configurator to select configurations that match a unit's requirements.
DOT-Chain Defence is a government-run marketplace for selecting drones, electronic warfare equipment, and other hardware funded by state resources. In the past, acquiring these items could take between two and six months; now, in-stock equipment is typically delivered in nine days. The system is used by 486 units across the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the National Police, the National Guard, and the State Border Guard Service.
Mstyslav Banik, Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine, said the training "will benefit service members responsible for supplying drones to their units, as well as those involved in UAV maintenance and repair."
He added that the course's purpose is "to thoroughly explain how the platform works, enabling users to match equipment to their unit's specific needs and combat tasks." The course also aims to give practical skills that make using the marketplace straightforward.
The rollout of the DOT-Chain Defence marketplace course underscores the Ukrainian government's drive to modernize defense procurement and equip military personnel with advanced technologies. With these new skills, service members can make better use of modern tools, which could improve the speed and effectiveness of combat operations. The course may also serve as a meaningful step toward strengthening combat readiness and helping Ukrainian forces adapt to contemporary threats.
As the Ukrainian military continues to leverage digital solutions for defense logistics, it's noteworthy that over 1.2 million drones have been supplied to the defense forces through the Ministry's online marketplace. This significant achievement highlights the effectiveness of the Defense Ministry's digital procurement system, further emphasizing the importance of training programs like the newly launched course aimed at optimizing the use of these resources.