The Armed Forces of Ukraine is creating an army IT vertical with over 7 thousand digital officers

The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine announced the introduction of an army IT vertical, which will include at least seven thousand digital officers, which will contribute to the large-scale digitalization of all units of the Armed Forces.

First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov said at the Digital Defence Forum in Kyiv that the institution of CDTOs – deputies for digital transformation – has already been introduced in central government bodies. Today, the Ministry of Defense announces the development of this structure within the defense forces, which will allow working on digital changes in different ministries and units simultaneously. According to him, today at the state level there are 45 CDTOs in central executive bodies, 15 regional CDTOs and over 1,350 digital community leaders.

Minister of Defense of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal emphasized that the goal is to fully digitalize military structures – from the ministry and the General Staff to each battalion. “The army IT vertical will include over seven thousand digital officers who will act synchronously and implement a digital culture in all units. These officers are already working in the field and will be united into a single network, which will ensure higher speed and effectiveness of the digitalization of the Armed Forces,” Shmyhal noted.

Deputy Minister of Defense for Digital Development, Digital Transformations and Digitalization Oksana Ferchuk announced that digital officers will appear in every unit – from battalion to brigade, corps, operational command, command, as well as in the General Staff and the Ministry of Defense. The new central department for digital transformation and technological development of the General Staff will manage this IT vertical in all commands, types and branches of the armed forces.

According to Ferchuk, digital officers will be responsible for coordinating the implementation of new systems in units, promptly receiving feedback, and will also act as architects and customers of new services necessary for the effective operation of the troops. She emphasized that up to seven thousand officers are planned to be introduced into units and commands, and their correct formation is critically important, since candidates must have IT knowledge and expertise.

Ferchuk added that the formation and filling of positions with digital officers will begin in December 2025 and continue in January next year. She also noted that since September, the Digital Transformation Committee has been operating, in which representatives of the commands, the General Staff, and the Ministry of Defense work together to develop the direction of digitalization.