ANNEX
PROJECT DOCUMENT
Reduction of ammunition safety risks in Ukraine
1. Background and Context
Ukraine has been facing significant safety and security risks and challenges concerning national conventional ammunition stockpiles. These have been even more aggravated since Russia’s full-scale war of aggression against Ukraine in February 2022.
These challenges resulted in numerous explosive incidents arising not only from acts of hostile attacks and sabotage of ammunition infrastructure, but also the transport, storage, handling, and disposal of unverified or unstable ammunition by Ukraine Armed Forces and law enforcement authorities in Ukraine. Even though Ukrainian authorities have adopted preventive measures to increase safety and reduce risks to personnel and civilian populations, infrastructure, and environment, inter alia, in and around ammunition storage areas, further measures need to be taken.
In this context, technical assistance in the field of ammunition surveillance is urgently required to support Ukrainian authorities in mitigating ammunition safety risks. Effective ammunition surveillance is a cornerstone of ammunition safety management, enabling the early detection of degradation, defects, and resulting unsafe transport, storage or handling conditions. Current ammunition surveillance capacities in Ukraine are under strain due to:
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High volumes and diversity of ammunition types, calibres, ages, and manufacturing standards;
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Limited availability of trained ammunition surveillance personnel;
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Insufficient or war-damaged infrastructure for systematic inspection, surveillance, testing, and life-cycle management;
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Gaps in technical equipment, standardised procedures, documentation, and data management against the international good practices and standards;
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Increased exposure of ammunition to adverse environmental and storage conditions.
Beyond addressing immediate ammunition safety risks during the conflict, strengthened ammunition surveillance capacities will form a critical foundation for Ukraine’s post-conflict recovery and stabilisation, including transition from wartime to peacetime military posture. Large volumes of ammunition will require systematic inspection, verification, and risk-based management to enable safe storage, transport, and disposal. Early investment in sustainable national surveillance capacities will therefore reduce long-term humanitarian, environmental, and financial burdens associated with uncontrolled ammunition degradation and unplanned explosions in a post-conflict setting. Without enhanced surveillance capacities, the probability of ammunition-related accidents and unplanned explosions will remain high, with potentially catastrophic consequences for both national authorities and civilian populations.
Against this backdrop, in summer 2025, the national authorities in Ukraine requested the EU to provide technical assistance in supporting ammunition safety verification throughout its entire life cycle, specifically focusing on the train-and-equip programme for ammunition surveillance. This request was reiterated during the workshop ‘ Setting up the international training and cooperation platform in ammunition safety management in support of Ukraine’s post-conflict immediate risk reduction efforts ’ organised by GICHD on 13-14 November 2025 in Geneva, Switzerland.
The requested action is aligned with EU SALW and broader non-proliferation and disarmament policies through its support to capacity building for safe and secure ammunition storage and handling, especially in partner countries, thereby creating an opportunity to deliver targeted, non-lethal support in line with the EU’s commitment to peace, stability, and risk reduction.
Furthermore, the assistance request is aligned with the EU-supported Global Framework for Through-life Conventional Ammunition Management (GFA) as it seeks to enable further reduction of safety risks posed by national conventional ammunition stockpiles in Ukraine, through:
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prioritising the sustainability of relevant national authorities’ capacities in through-life conventional ammunition management,
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striving for the adequate, systematic and sustainable surveillance of conventional ammunition in national stockpiles, and
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employing adequate risk reduction processes for the management of national conventional ammunition stockpiles.
By promoting responsible ammunition management practices, the action is also expected to contribute to wider regional safety by reducing the risk of cross-border impacts associated with unplanned explosions, environmental contamination, and uncontrolled ammunition degradation. In doing so, it supports longer-term stability and reflects internationally recognised preventive and risk-reduction approaches, in line with the EU’s preventive security approach.
Finally, such an approach supports the EU and Ukraine's cooperation on non-proliferation and disarmament, including strengthening the capacities of Ukrainian authorities through partnerships with and complementary efforts of international organizations and multilateral fora.
2. Overall Objective
To reduce ammunition safety risks in Ukraine through strengthened national capacities for ammunition surveillance, contributing to the prevention of ammunition-related accidents and unplanned explosions, improved personnel protection, and enhanced civilian safety.
3. Description of Action
3.1 Determining technical capacity requirements in ammunition surveillance of national authorities in Ukraine
3.1.1 Outcome 1
Confirmed and prioritised technical capacity requirements for effective ammunition surveillance of national authorities in Ukraine in line with ammunition safety risk reduction concepts and international standards, providing a clear and agreed basis for targeted capacity-building and technical assistance.
3.1.2 Description
As a result of the action under Outcome 1, the relevant Ukrainian authorities will have a shared, evidence-based understanding of the technical capacities required to conduct systematic, sustainable and risk-informed ammunition surveillance across the ammunition life cycle. This will be achieved through structured technical assessments, advisory support, and engagement with national stakeholders. The confirmed capacities requirements will cover , inter alia, infrastructure and equipment, technical processes and procedures, human resources and competencies, and information management.
3.1.3 Expected Outputs
Output 1 – A validated overview of current capacities and gaps in ammunition surveillance capacities recorded in the technical report.
Output 2 – A report in the form of a prioritised list of technical capacity requirements and validated needs in ammunition surveillance, including equipment and training for the purpose of Outcome 2, endorsed by relevant national authorities, recorded in the technical report. While the list shall include requirements and needs to be fulfilled under the EU funding under the present project, it should also list prioritized requirements and needs recommended for funding in case further funds become available. The list will be subject to validation by COARM.
Output 3 – Aligned ammunition surveillance-related provisions in ammunition safety regulations of the relevant national authorities with the internationally recognised good practice and standards.
3.1.4 Expected Activities
Activities related to Output 1:
1.
Desk review and methodology development.
2.
Online and in-country stakeholder consultations, field assessment, and validation meeting.
3.
Documentation analysis & report writing.
Activities related to Output 2:
1.
Review of assessment findings and map of identified gaps against internationally recognised good practice and standards.
2.
Online and in-country stakeholder consultations, and priorities endorsement meeting with Ukrainian national authorities.
3.
Documentation analysis, report writing, and submission of the report for COARM validation
Activities related to Output 3:
1.
Drafting of a proposed update of national ammunition safety regulations by including ammunition surveillance provisions aligned with internationally recognised standards and good practice.
2.
Advisory support to national authorities in internal and external validation, and final legal review of ammunition safety regulations, including ammunition surveillance.
3.
Revision of draft provisions based on feedback and support for the formal alignment/approval by competent authorities of Ukraine.
3.2 Developing technical capacity in ammunition surveillance of national authorities in Ukraine
3.2.1 Outcome 2
Improved national technical capacities for ammunition surveillance through a structured equipping and training programme, enabling the relevant Ukrainian authorities to conduct systematic, safe and risk-informed ammunition surveillance in line with internationally recognised good practice and standards.
3.2.2 Description
As a result of the action under Outcome 2, building on the confirmed and prioritised technical capacity requirements and validated needs, the operational ammunition surveillance capacities will be augmented through the provision of non-lethal surveillance equipment, targeted technical training and advice on the use of equipment, and advisory services on operational integration of training and equipment in ammunition surveillance activities. The surveillance equipment will be used to conduct thermodynamic and chemical, mechanical, optical, and electrical testing of ammunition, with the preference given to the EU origin of the equipment. Priority will be given to provision of mobile equipment to ensure operational flexibility and survivability, and to enable integrated checks by functional groups of devices where necessary. The outcome will ensure that assistance is needs-driven, proportionate and coherent, while directly addressing identified gaps and avoiding duplication with other initiatives.
3.2.3 Expected Outputs
Output 1 – Ammunition surveillance equipment from the COARM-validated list procured and delivered to the national authorities in Ukraine.
Output 2 – Ammunition surveillance personnel trained on the use of procured equipment against the relevant ammunition surveillance methods and operational procedures of Ukraine aligned with international good practice and standards.
3.2.4 Expected Activities
Activities related to Output 1:
1.
Procuring of all ammunition surveillance equipment included in the list in accordance with approved specifications.
2.
Transport, customs clearance, and in-country distribution of equipment.
3.
Equipment handover and verification of its use.
Activities related to Output 2:
1.
Confirmation of training requirements and training programme against the provided equipment.
2.
Arrangement and implementation of training on the use of equipment.
3.
Provision of mentoring and on-the-job technical support in integrating equipment into operational surveillance activities.
4. Beneficiaries
The beneficiaries of the action are directly: the national authorities in Ukraine - authorised ammunition custodians and ammunition safety regulatory authorities, and indirectly: civilian populations living in proximity to ammunition storage areas and transport routes.
5. Sustainability
The project ensures sustainability by institutionalising ammunition surveillance as a nationally owned safety function through standardised procedures, durable equipment, and trained personnel embedded within existing structures, ensuring continuity under the conflict conditions and relevance for post-conflict recovery. Technical resilience, cost-effective equipment, decentralised deployment, and full national ownership enable long-term risk reduction, accident prevention, and compliance with international ammunition safety standards without ongoing external dependence.
6. Implementation Modality
The action will be implemented jointly and in a coordinated manner by the GICHD and the ITF Enhancing Human Security, whereby each specialised implementation entity will be entrusted with the delivery of a defined outcome in accordance with their respective mandates, expertise, and comparative advantages. The GICHD will implement the activities under Outcome 1, including the development of the list of equipment and training for the purpose of Outcome 2, while the ITF will implement the activities under Outcome 2.
Activities will be coordinated closely with relevant Ukrainian authorities to ensure national ownership, relevance, and sustainability.
