Year ago, only 12 Ukrainian brigades could order weapons online. Now, 500 units participate in revolutionary program that has delivered 1.3 million drones to front

A year ago, only 12 Ukrainian brigades possessed the authority to order weaponry through an online marketplace. Today, the figure has soared to 500 units. The Defense Ministry of Ukraine revealed that the DOT-Chain Defense platform, which empowers frontline units to procure necessary supplies using state funds or bonuses with minimal clicks, has expanded its reach across most of Ukraine's Defense Forces.

This platform serves as the backbone for Ukraine's soldier-led procurement revolution, embodying a shift in defense procurement philosophy. Ukraine is moving away from the Soviet concept of "fought with whatever is handed down from above" and embracing a market-based model that puts the choice in the hands of individual soldiers.

In its inaugural year, the platform facilitated the delivery of over 1.3 million drones and other systems, valued at around $1.9 billion, with 84 percent of the orders comprised of drones, electronic-warfare gear, and ground robots. The points-for-kills system has also emerged as a key driver, enabling units to accumulate credits based on battlefield achievements and utilize these credits to acquire their own equipment.

The utilization of DOT-Chain Defense has expanded from a mere 12 units a year ago to encompass 500 units across various branches of the armed forces, including the National Guard, border and special transport services, police, Security Service, and Defense Intelligence, according to Deputy Defense Minister Mstyslav Banik. Assault regiments and the Drone Line project have also joined the fray, ordering unmanned systems according to their specific specifications.

The majority of the orders are dominated by drones, accounting for 84 percent of the total, followed by electronic-warfare systems at 8.6 percent, ground robotic complexes at 7.2 percent, and ammunition accounting for a mere 0.2 percent. The equipment, valued at approximately $1.9 billion, was procured either directly through the marketplace or via the Army of Drones bonus program, which is linked to the same platform.

The US has now taken inspiration from this model, launching its own Amazon-style marketplace for military drones, explicitly modeled after Ukraine's Brave1 Market and DOT-Chain Defense. For Ukraine, the benefits of this innovative approach extend beyond the equipment itself. The platform generates a comprehensive record of which weapons perform effectively on different sectors of the front line, allowing the state to strategically allocate resources based on proven results.