{"id":15034,"date":"2025-11-07T13:01:45","date_gmt":"2025-11-07T11:01:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/stage.thedefender.media\/?post_type=insights&p=15034"},"modified":"2025-12-11T15:22:02","modified_gmt":"2025-12-11T13:22:02","slug":"defense-codification-faq","status":"publish","type":"insights","link":"https:\/\/stage.thedefender.media\/en\/insights\/defense-codification-faq\/","title":{"rendered":"Answers to the most common questions about arms codification: an op-ed by ADVANQ lawyer Yana Sviderska"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In a partner article, Yana Sviderska, lawyer in the government defence contracts practice at ADVANQ<\/a>, explains which documents are required for arms codification in Ukraine, why the codification process takes so long, with whom joint departmental testing can be conducted, and also answers other frequently asked questions about codification.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Codification is not a formality, but part of the life cycle of weapons. It opens the way to government procurement, helps expand markets, and enables faster scaling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, codification is a prerequisite for cooperation with centralised contracting authorities. Such as, for example, the Defence Procurement Agency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite the amendments to the Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 1275 (hereinafter referred to as the Resolution), which abolished the requirement for codification for direct supply to military units, the situation in practice appears to be different. Most military units still prefer to purchase codified products, justifying this with quality assurance, compliance with requirements, and testing that has already been carried out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Therefore, codification is one of the key stages for arms manufacturers. As a result, during our work in this area, we have noticed that most questions regarding codification are repetitive<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That is why the ADVANQ team has compiled a list of the most common ones encountered by companies that manufacture UAVs, EW systems, UGVs, and other military equipment in order to share their expertise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Terms and deadlines. Why is codification taking so long?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

There are many publications on the Internet claiming that \u201ccodification takes 10 days.\u201d In practice, this is unrealistic<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The actual term ranges from 2 to 3 months to a year, depending on the type of product and the readiness of the documents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The question \u201cwhy so long?\u201d<\/strong> is fair. However, it is essential to recognise that this process cannot be rushed. For example, only the main stages that must be completed during codification are described below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First, the development of tactical and technical characteristics (hereinafter referred to as TTC).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Next, technical specifications are drafted and approved. The next stage is to develop a testing program and methodologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then, tests are conducted (either independently or jointly with the State Customer (see explanation in section 3 below)), resulting in the preparation of test reports and certificates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And this is only the stage of submitting documents to the Ministry of Defence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Next, you will face testing at the Ministry of Defence, possible adjustments to TTC, editing and registration of changes to technical specifications, etc. All this takes additional time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. What documents are required?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

For convenience, here is a generalised and simplified list:<\/p>\n\n\n\n