Ukraine has authorized 81 companies to operate their own air defense groups as Kyiv expands the role of private industry in protecting infrastructure from Russian drone attacks.
The Ministry of Defence said 92 companies from different industries and regions had applied to join the pilot program as of mid-September, including critical infrastructure operators and private-sector companies. Of those, 81 have been authorized to carry out air defense measures.
The figure is up from 51 companies participating as of mid-July, showing how quickly the program has expanded since its launch in late 2025.
Private air defense groups are not independent units. They operate as part of Ukraine’s broader air defense network under the control of the Air Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, with targets and operating areas coordinated through the military command structure.
The program aims to protect company personnel and facilities that regularly come under attack by Russian drones while adding another layer to Ukraine’s air defense system.
Private Firms’ Bigger Ukrainian Defense Role
Ukraine’s private sector has increasingly become part of the country’s wartime defense architecture, particularly in drone production and counter-drone capabilities.
Some private groups are already carrying out combat missions. In June, Ukraine said groups from participating companies had shot down several Shahed-type attack drones and Zala reconnaissance drones.
Kyiv has also expanded private sector participation in the production of the systems used by its armed forces. In April, the MoD said it had contracted 8,000 Octopus interceptor drones, with 29 Ukrainian companies and the UK government participating in production efforts.
The government has also used procurement platforms and industry programs to give domestic manufacturers a larger role. DOT-Chain Defence, for example, allows combat units to select equipment directly from a marketplace that now includes products from more than 200 Ukrainian manufacturers.