New development: Reform under fire—the transformation of defence procurement in Ukraine

IMPACTEuropean governments are expanding defence budgets at a pace unseen in decades, yet most procurement systems have been developed under peacetime conditions. This article shows how defence procurement systems (DPS) can change when facing military pressure. Drawing on Ukraine’s experience, it identifies defining features of wartime procurement, such as absorbing rapid budget expansion, inter-actor co-ordination, external funding, and recalibrating oversight without pausing execution. These lessons are relevant to policy-makers and military professionals working with military acquisition in response to a deteriorating security environment.