Ivan Havryliuk appointed head of Ukraine's state defence manufacturer Ukroboronprom
The supervisory board of the state joint-stock company Ukrainian Defence Industry has appointed Lieutenant General Ivan Havryliuk as general director of Ukroboronprom. He won an open competition for the position, and the company named expanding production capacity as one of his priorities.
Key points
- Lieutenant General Ivan Havryliuk was appointed general director of Ukroboronprom on 3 November 2026
- He won an open competition organised by the company's supervisory board
- The Ukrainian representation of Amrop Partnership handled the candidate search, screening and preliminary assessment
- The supervisory board made its decision after the competitive selection and final interviews with candidates
- The supervisory board announced the competition for the position on 1 September 2026
- Ukroboronprom said expanding the production capacity of its enterprises is among the new director's tasks
- The state concern Ukroboronprom was converted into the joint-stock company Ukrainian Defence Industry in late June 2023
Why it matters
The appointment puts a former senior defence official and military commander in charge of Ukraine's state defence-industry company. It is also part of Ukroboronprom's stated effort to transform into a more effective and competitive defence organisation, with expanding the production capacity of its enterprises among the new director's priorities. The company said Havryliuk's military, managerial and defence-sector experience would be important for developing its enterprises and strengthening Ukraine's defence-industrial complex.
What happened
The supervisory board of the joint-stock company Ukrainian Defence Industry appointed Lieutenant General Ivan Havryliuk as general director of Ukroboronprom. He was selected through an open competition, with the supervisory board deciding after the competitive selection and final interviews with candidates. The Ukrainian representation of the international company Amrop Partnership carried out the search, screening and preliminary assessment of candidates. The company said Havryliuk has extensive experience in military service, management and the defence sector, and named the expansion of its enterprises' production capacity among his tasks. Ukroboronprom described the appointment as another step in transforming the company into a modern, efficient and competitive defence organisation.
How Ukrainian sources describe it
Ukrainian coverage focuses on Havryliuk's military and defence-management background, the open competitive selection process, and the company's transformation and production-capacity goals. Ukrainian reports also provide extensive background on his predecessor's departure following the explosions in Vyshneve and the leadership changes at Ukroboronprom.
Where reporting differs
The supplied material gives conflicting dates and sequences for Havryliuk's service and dismissal from deputy minister of defence positions, including departures in April 2025 or February 2026 and a reappointment in July 2025.
Background
The state concern Ukroboronprom was converted into the joint-stock company Ukrainian Defence Industry in late June 2023. The supervisory board announced the competition for general director on 1 September 2026, after Herman Smetanin ended his work in the post. Havryliuk previously held senior positions in the Ministry of Defence and temporarily performed the duties of Ukroboronprom general director. The Ukrainian representation of Amrop Partnership conducted the candidate search, screening and preliminary assessment.