Investigation Halts Operations of Defense Contractor 'Tekhaviakom'
The State Bureau of Investigations (SBI) has suspended the operations of LLC RPC 'Tekhaviakom', a company that fulfilled defense contracts in 2023. According to the firm, tens of thousands of mines are now stuck in its warehouses, and its bank accounts have been frozen. The company denies allegations of being a shell company and of producing substandard goods, citing three independent expert examinations—including one by the SBU's own laboratory—which confirmed that its explosive material meets technical specifications. A pre-trial investigation is ongoing, with four Ministry of Defense officials and a state enterprise employee notified of suspicion. This action comes as Ukraine's military faces critical ammunition shortages in its war effort.
Company Background and Dispute Over Product Quality
LLC RPC 'Tekhaviakom' was established in 2019 using the facilities of the Chernihiv-based 'CheZaRa' plant. The plant holds a four-letter developer code AATA and is certified by the State Space Agency. In 2023, it was contracted for 77% of all hexogen (RDX) for which permits were issued in Ukraine. By the end of 2024, the plant had secured 100% of the components for its new contracts. However, the military reportedly received faulty products instead of reliable mines, with complaints focusing on detonators supplied by a third-party manufacturer.
The press service of 'Tekhaviakom' stated that the enterprise is not a 'fly-by-night firm' but a genuine design bureau and production facility, created to preserve skilled specialists following the transformation of the space industry. 'Our engineers have worked for years on components without which Ukrainian armored vehicles cannot move or fire. We are a production partner for key Ukrainian defense enterprises,' the company's statement read.
Furthermore, the company emphasized that the quality issues are not related to the mines themselves, but to the externally manufactured detonators, which are not their product. 'When a suitable, high-quality detonator is fitted to our device, it works flawlessly, as has been repeatedly proven in field tests. We have received no formal complaints about our own products,' 'Tekhaviakom' representatives noted. In response to the law enforcement actions, the company's press service expressed concern that 'a direct consequence of these actions will be a shortage of mines on the battlefield.'
The shutdown of 'Tekhaviakom' has raised alarm within Ukraine's defense structures, as it could lead to a deficit of vital ammunition at the front. The company, which became a key supplier of hexogen and other components for defense needs, asserts its product quality is verified by independent experts. Simultaneously, the pre-trial investigation into suspected individuals within the military may point to systemic issues in managing defense contracts and quality control, raising further questions about the safety and effectiveness of Ukrainian armed forces in wartime conditions.