Civil air defense as a shared responsibility: the state and strategic enterprises
2 March 21:10
The government has changed the terms of a pilot project to involve businesses in the state air defense system. From now on, critical infrastructure facilities will be able to form their own air defense groups to protect their production and strategic capabilities.
The decision was announced by Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, according to "Komersant Ukrainian".
What changes does the project entail?
According to the updated rules:
- critical infrastructure enterprises can create their own air defense groups;
- personnel will undergo mandatory training and certification;
- educational institutions will be determined by the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine;
- the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine will be able to temporarily transfer air defense equipment and ammunition that is not used by combat units to enterprises;
- replenishment of used ammunition will be carried out according to a simplified procedure — based on an act of actual expenditure.
The procedure for inventorying, storing, accounting for, and using the transferred equipment will also be updated.
Why is this important
The decision was made against the backdrop of warnings about possible new Russian attacks on infrastructure. President Volodymyr Zelensky called on the defense forces to focus as much as possible on countering air threats.
Expanding business participation in the air defense system is seen as a way to strengthen the protection of energy, industrial, and other strategic facilities — especially in conditions of limited resources and the constant threat of missile and drone attacks.
How the mechanism will work
In essence, this involves integrating corporate divisions into the state air defense system. At the same time, control over personnel training and the use of weapons will remain with the military.
The experimental nature of the project means that the model can be adjusted depending on the results of its practical implementation.
