Codification of unmanned systems and EW equipment according to NATO standards in Ukraine
Introduction
1. Codification in Ukraine
2. Codification of unmanned systems
3. Codification of tactical-level electronic warfare equipment
Codification of supply items according to NATO standards is a legal and technical framework that makes defence supplies predictable, transparent and interoperable.
Ukraine is integrated into the NATO Codification System at Tier 2 level and has been carrying out its own codification, transferring data to the international catalogue since 2019.
1. NATO codification in Ukraine
The purpose of NATO codification in Ukraine is to:
- improve the efficiency of the supply nomenclature managementat all stages of the life cycle;
- ensure the necessary conditions for automated record-keeping;
- manage stockpiles more efficiently;
- promote the compatibility of the logistics systems of the Ukrainian defence forces with the logistics systems of the armed forces of other countries using the NATO Codification System.
In Ukraine, NATO codification applies to military assets of the defence forces, in particular:
- products;
- product components, tools, equipment, materials, and software that are independently supplied.
In Ukrainian terminology, such assets are collectively referred to as ‘supply items’.
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Immovable property of the Ukrainian defence forces is not subject to codification.
NATO codification is carried out during:
- the development or modernisation of supply items;
- the procurement of supply items, if their payment is made through centralised settlements;
- the operation of supply items (if codification was not carried out during development or procurement).
Codification is carried out in accordance with the principles and rules of the NATO codification system. These principles are defined in NATO standardisation agreements STANAG 3150, STANAG 3151, STANAG 4177, STANAG 4438 and the NATO Codification Guide (ACodP-1).
The NATO Multilingual Item Name Directory (ACodP-3) is used to determine the approved name. This directory contains the standard names of items in the NATO Codification System, their codes, descriptions, and interpretations.
Supply items are classified according to the national classifier. This classifier is harmonised with the NATO supply item classifier ACodP-2 (NATO Multilingual Supply Classification Handbook).
The identification of supply items is carried out in accordance with the NATO Standardisation Agreement (STANAG 3151) ‘Uniform System for the Identification of Supply Items’.
The data contained in the technical documents is used for identification.
During the identification process, developers, manufacturers and suppliers are assigned NATO Commercial and Governmental Entity (NCAGE) codes.
At the heart of the codification system is the NATO Stock Number (NSN). The NSN is a 13-digit number built according to a unified structure:
- the first 4 digits are the group and class code according to the NATO ACodP-2 classifier;
- the next 2 digits are the code of the national codification bureau (NCB code) of the country that performed the codification;
- the last 7 (or 9 digits as a unique code for materials) – a unique identifier of a supply item.
In Ukraine, NATO stock numbers are indicated in operational documents in accordance with the Ukrainian standard for the maintenance of operational documents.
2. Codification of unmanned systems
The codification of unmanned systems is carried out by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) of Ukraine.
The basis for codification is:
- an act on the conduct of joint departmental tests, which confirms compliance with the technical conditions, tactical and technical characteristics and configuration of unmanned systems;
- the results of studying the tactical and technical specifications of the model declared by the developer (reviewing the results of tests conducted by the manufacturer) – if it meets the technical requirements for the type of unmanned system or if procurement of a specific model is required.
Joint interdepartmental tests are to be carried out with one of the interested state procuring entities or the State Research Institute for Testing and Certification of Weapons and Military Equipment.
The following documents are to be attached to the act:
- information on the tactical and technical specifications of the unmanned system – based on technical requirements;
- technical requirements for the unmanned system, approved by the manufacturer. Such technical requirements must be entered into the main fund of technical requirements of Ukraine and the electronic database ‘Technical Requirements of Ukraine’;
- acts and a programme of factory tests of the unmanned system.
Note: it is prohibited to request other documents from the manufacturer of the unmanned system for the purpose of codifying the supply item, entering it into the staffing tables and schedules.
When the manufacturer submits an act on joint departmental tests, the codification of the unmanned system is carried out exclusively based on this act (and the documents attached thereto). It is not necessary to obtain information about the demand for such an unmanned system.
Obtaining information about the demand for such an unmanned system is not required, nor is it necessary to decisive departmental tests by the commission of the state procuring entity.
Codification is carried out by the MoD of Ukraine within 10 days from the date of receipt of the act on joint departmental tests with the attached documents.
The codification of unmanned systems may be carried out based on the results of studying the tactical and technical specifications indicated by the developer, and reviewing the results of tests conducted by the manufacturer – if a specific model of the unmanned system is required. This is confirmed by a notification on the requirement to undergo the codification procedure from the General Staff of the Armed Forces, commands of the branches, and separate types of troops (forces) of the Armed Forces.
In this case, the manufacturer of the unmanned system sends information about the tactical and technical specifications of the unmanned system to the MoD of Ukraine, together with technical requirements, acts and protocols of previous tests.
As in the former case, the technical requirements must be entered into the main fund of technical requirements of Ukraine and the electronic database ‘Technical Requirements of Ukraine’ by a state-owned enterprise under the purview of the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine.
In this case, codification also takes 10 working days.
If the technical requirements for the type of unmanned system are met, the codification of unmanned systems can be carried out based on the results of studying the indicated tactical and technical specifications of the sample, as well as reviewing the results of tests conducted by the manufacturer.
The technical requirements for the type of unmanned system are developed and approved by the MoD of Ukraine together with the General Staff of the Armed Forces for certain types of unmanned systems:
- for a single-use rotary-type strike unmanned aerial vehicle;
- for a rotary-type reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicle;
- reusable rotary-type strike unmanned aerial vehicles with different ranges;
- reusable fixed-wing strike unmanned aerial vehicles with different ranges;
- fixed-wing reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicles with different ranges.
The MoD of Ukraine, together with the General Staff of the Armed Forces, may determine additional types of unmanned systems, develop and approve technical requirements for such types.
In this case, the manufacturer of the unmanned system shall send information on the tactical and technical specifications of the unmanned system with the technical requirement approved by the manufacturer, acts and protocols of preliminary tests to the MoD of Ukraine.
If the technical requirements for the type of unmanned system are met, the codification of the unmanned system shall be carried out without obtaining information on the demand for it.
The manufacturer of the unmanned system develops and approves the technical requirements and enters them into the main fund of technical requirements of Ukraine and the electronic database ‘Technical Requirements of Ukraine’. In this case, they do not require approval or agreement by the MoD of Ukraine or other state bodies.
In this case, codification takes 10 days, just the same.
3. Codification of tactical-level EW equipment
The codification of tactical-level electronic warfare equipment is carried out by the MoD of Ukraine:
- based on an act on joint departmental tests confirming compliance with the technical requirements, tactical and technical specifications, and configuration approved by the MoD of Ukraine together with the General Staff of the Armed Forces;
- based on the results of studying the indicated tactical and technical specifications of tactical-level EW means and consideration of the results of tests conducted by the manufacturer. Such grounds are possible in the event of compliance with the technical requirements approved by the MoD of Ukraine together with the General Staff of the Armed Forces.
Joint interdepartmental tests are conducted by the manufacturer together with one of the interested state procuring entities or the State Research Institute for Testing and Certification of Weapons and Military Equipment. It is mandatory for representatives of the General Staff of the Armed Forces to be involved in joint interdepartmental tests conducted by the Armed Forces.
Based on the results of such tests, an act on the conduct of joint departmental tests is drawn up, to which the following are attached:
- information on tactical and technical specifications;
- technical requirements approved by the manufacturer and entered into the main fund of technical requirements of Ukraine and the electronic database ‘Technical Requirements of Ukraine’;
- a programme and methodologies, acts and protocols of factory tests.
The MoD of Ukraine carries out the codification of tactical-level EW equipment provided that:
- the report on joint interdepartmental testing confirms compliance with technical requirements, tactical and technical specifications, and configuration;
- the product meets the technical requirements approved by the MoD of Ukraine together with the General Staff of the Armed Forces.
In such cases, this act and the documents attached thereto are sufficient for codification. No decisive departmental tests are carried out.
Note: it is prohibited to request additional documents from the manufacturer of electronic warfare equipment.
The MoD of Ukraine carries out codification within 10 days of receiving the act with attachments.
The MoD of Ukraine may also carry out the codification of tactical-level EW equipment based on the results of studying its tactical and technical specifications as indicated by the developer and reviewing the results of tests carried out by the manufacturer. This is possible if the equipment complies with the technical requirements approved by the MoD of Ukraine together with the General Staff of the Armed Forces.
In this case, the MoD of Ukraine shall, within 5 working days, study the documents provided by the manufacturer and, if they comply with the technical requirements, ensure that demonstration tests are carried out.
Demonstration tests are to be carried out within 10 working days from the date of receipt by the MoD of Ukraine of the documents, according to the manufacturer’s programme and methodology. The MoD of Ukraine provides a testing ground, targets, measuring and control equipment for these tests.
Technical requirements approved by the manufacturer and entered into the main fund of technical requirements of Ukraine and the electronic database ‘Technical Requirements of Ukraine’ do not require approval or agreement by the MoD of Ukraine or other state bodies.
Codification is carried out within 10 days following the demonstration tests.