During the program, over 6 months, 40 managers from 19 institutions will work on developing a new design for Ukraine's weapon system, which will ensure the resilience and competitiveness of the defense industry, as well as positively impact the country's economic and technological development.

"It is difficult to overestimate the contribution of Ukraine's defense system in deterring the aggressor, the economic and technological development of the state, and its prosperity. The weapon system is one of the key components of this development. Within this Program, we will work on developing a new design for the defense industry system, expanding cross-sectoral interaction, and forming a new culture," said the program director Helena Savruk.

The program was developed by the Kyiv-Mohyla Business School with the support of the state concern 'Ukroboronprom' and the Ministry of Defense of the United Kingdom. The foundation of the Program is the methodology of designing state systems and business ecosystems, as well as kmbs's five-year experience in providing professional development for senior state leadership in the security and defense sector.

Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine Oleksandr Nosov and General Director of the state concern 'Ukroboronprom' Yuriy Gusev expressed their support for the Program and welcomed the participants.

"This is an important Program that will allow us to rethink the future of Ukraine's defense industry. A new perspective on the defense complex and openness to interaction with partners will enhance the impact on procurement and export systems, contributing to Ukraine's development," noted Oleksandr Nosov.

The Strategic Program for the Development of the Weapon System consists of three integrated levels and focuses on strengthening the institutional core of Ukraine's defense industry. Participants of the first level included representatives from the leadership of the Office of the President of Ukraine, the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the state concern 'Ukroboronprom', and 14 other institutions.

"The expected outcome of the Program is the successful implementation of the Ukrainian Government's priorities in the defense sector and an entirely new design of the defense industry. You will have the opportunity to deepen and expand interagency and cross-sectoral interaction and cooperation, which is the key to the successful further implementation of a new business model for the military complex. This is extremely important for Ukraine's national security and its ability to defend democracy, demonstrating steady progress towards Euro-Atlantic integration," addressed the participants Deputy Head of Mission at the British Embassy in Ukraine Nicholas Harrocks.

During the training, participants will have the opportunity to learn from the experience of innovation development and stakeholder interaction from the Program's partners at the Ministry of Defense of the United Kingdom, as well as study the successful experience of weapon system development in other countries.

It is expected that graduates of the program will become leaders of change in their institutions and will implement the developed models for the development of the defense industry through the lens of the priorities set by the President of Ukraine regarding the use of public-private partnership mechanisms and military-technological cooperation in Ukraine's defense-industrial complex. Involving a wide range of stakeholders in the process will facilitate the introduction of an integrated and focused approach to the development of the technological and economic potential of Ukraine's defense industry.

"It is very important to understand, balance, assist, and utilize all the advantages of systems. That is why during the training we will work on creating a design that ensures the defense capability and development of our country in various aspects. The experience that participants bring, their strength and competencies will help to look at the situation anew, develop new approaches to move our country's development forward," concluded the dean of the Kyiv-Mohyla Business School Oleksandr Savruk.

Defense Industry as a Driver of Economic Growth and Innovation: A New Program for the Development of Ukraine's Weapon System Launches at kmbs