"Our money": the fabric strength of Turkish jackets for the Armed Forces was three times lower than announced
The company failed to meet a crucial technical requirement outlined in the contract. In a contract dispute involving the provision of winter jackets to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, it was discovered that the company contracted from Turkey, Vector avia, did not adhere to the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine’s standards for fabric strength. Investigative journalist Yuriy Nikolov uncovered documents detailing the terms of the contract, revealing that the fabric’s tensile strength requirement was significantly lower than what the Ministry of Defense had specified. While the ministry stipulated a fabric strength of 1,400 Newtons, the contract with the Turkish company only had a requirement of 450 Newtons, making it three times weaker.
Nikolov explained that a fabric with such low tensile strength would not be able to support a weight of even four kilograms, as it would simply tear apart under the pressure. This revelation raised serious concerns about the quality and durability of the jackets. Ukrainian suppliers, in contrast, adhered to the higher specifications set by the Ministry of Defense.
The discrepancy in fabric strength was not the only issue with the contract. The Turkish jackets were also purchased at a higher price compared to Ukrainian tenders. Each jacket was acquired for $86 without VAT, while local suppliers offered jackets ranging from $77 to $89 including VAT.
Another disparity between the Turkish company and Ukrainian suppliers was the payment terms. The Ministry of Defense made a full pre-payment of 100 percent to Vector avia, while Ukrainian suppliers were offered a post-payment option of 100 percent.
These findings expose a potential breach of contract and raise questions about the selection process for suppliers. The failure to meet the Ministry of Defense’s fabric strength requirements compromises the effectiveness and longevity of the jackets, posing a concern for the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
