The lack of proper registration of intellectual property hinders the development of the defense sector and the country’s technological sovereignty, according to Oleksiy Shevchuk, chairman of the National Association of Lobbyists of Ukraine.

"Currently, one of the key problems hindering the development of the defense sector and the country’s technological sovereignty is the virtually complete lack of proper accounting for intellectual property owned by state-owned enterprises. A significant portion of these assets lack digital copies, a comprehensive inventory, and legally formalized status. This poses serious risks to the state and complicates any international cooperation,” he told the Interfax-Ukraine news agency.

According to Shevchuk, the post-Soviet legacy, the lack of systematic registration of rights, lost technical documentation, and tax obligations arising from the capitalization of intellectual assets have prevented the state from making progress on this issue for decades.

“Today, amid the war, this is no longer a technical detail—it is a matter of national security,” he stated.

In Shevchuk’s view, the first step toward resolving the problem should be the complete digitization of intellectual property in the defense sector, converting all technological developments—from drawings and technical descriptions to software—into digital form.

“Only this will ensure transparent record-keeping, protection against loss, the ability to legally formalize these assets, and their subsequent use in production, cooperation with partners, and attracting investment,” he said.

Shevchuk reported that the National Association of Lobbyists of Ukraine is calling on government agencies, enterprises, and relevant ministries to launch a comprehensive audit and digitization of intangible assets.

"Without this, it is impossible to carry out a genuine modernization of defense enterprises and guarantee that technologies developed over decades will not be lost forever. We are ready to participate in developing the necessary solutions and regulatory changes so that this process can finally be launched systematically across the country,” he concluded.