Olexandr Kardakov: 90% of Ukrainian Defense Industry and 80% of Fire Safety Cameras at Risk

Olexandr Kardakov, a prominent figure in Ukraine's technology sector, has raised alarms about the vulnerabilities facing the country's military-industrial complex (MIC). With 90% of the MIC and 80% of fire safety cameras reportedly under threat, Kardakov is advocating for immediate action to bolster the sector's defenses. His insights come as Ukraine navigates a complex landscape of technological development and international defense collaborations.

As the first IT millionaire in Ukraine, Kardakov has a rich history in the industry, beginning his career in industrial automation during the final year of the Soviet Union. His entrepreneurial journey led to the establishment of significant companies such as the telecommunications giant Datagroup and the IT distributor Megatrade. In the early 2000s, his company Incom provided IT networks to nearly all major state institutions and banks in Ukraine. These accomplishments have kept Kardakov on the NV magazine's list of the 100 richest Ukrainians for over two decades.

Today, at 62 years old, Kardakov is the founder of Octava Capital and has consolidated all his projects into a single structure. He is actively investing in the development of high-tech solutions for defense projects. His company, Octava Defence, focuses on protecting critical infrastructure through a unified platform called SPHERE, which integrates radar, optical systems, and acoustic sensors. This platform is also capable of jamming control and navigation channels of both commercial and military drones, utilizing artificial intelligence. Among other innovations from the company is the AVTOR system, which specializes in cryptographic protection of information and securing computers for military, government, and commercial entities.

During an interview discussing the technologies employed in the ongoing war, a correspondent from NV reminded Kardakov of a past trip to Kuwait, where a local merchant asked him, 'What do you have in Ukraine that is so significant?' Kardakov's response was, 'Good question. Let's continue.' He noted that in late March, Ukraine signed strategic 10-year defense agreements with Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, which entail joint development of air defense systems and sharing experiences in combating unmanned aerial vehicles.

However, Kardakov candidly admitted that Ukrainian companies currently lack the capacity to implement these agreements in practice. 'We are not there yet. For now, these contracts exist only on paper,' he stated. He emphasized that despite numerous strategic agreements being signed, only one has become operational thus far. 'We have been trying for a long time to obtain permission to export technologies for the production of some components abroad, and each time we are told: something will come through in two weeks,' he added.

This situation underscores the critical need to overcome bureaucratic barriers for the development of the Ukrainian MIC and the export of technologies, which is essential for strengthening the country's defense capabilities in the face of modern challenges. As a leader in this field, Olexandr Kardakov remains hopeful for positive changes that will allow Ukraine to realize its potential in military technologies and become competitive in the international market.