# Ukraine lets private air defense participants protect other companies’ sites under contract New rules also allow manned aircraft in company air defense groups and expand opportunities to use interceptor drones by regulating companies’ use of warheads and electric detonators. Published 2026-11-05 by TGOs. Canonical: https://tgos.io/news/2026/11/05/ukraine-lets-private-air-defense-participants-protect-other-companies/ Ukraine’s Cabinet of Ministers has approved rules allowing companies in its experimental private air defense project to protect other companies’ facilities under contract, the Ministry of Defence announced Nov. 4.[1] Authorized companies may also transfer air defense assets to one another for use, based on a joint decision with the Air Force Command.[1] The changes allow manned aircraft in company air defense groups.[1] They also expand opportunities to use interceptor drones by regulating companies’ use of warheads and electric detonators.[1] New participation criteria include Defence City resident status, designation by the Ministry of Defence as a critically important company, or both.[1] The minimum age for members of company air defense groups falls from 21 to 18.[1] The ministry said the groups began combat missions in spring 2026 and nearly 100 companies had joined the initiative by mid-October.[1] ## Why it matters Participants can take on a role as contracted protection providers for other businesses, while private air defense remains under military command within the Armed Forces of Ukraine’s unified air defense system.[1] The ministry’s announcement does not explain how companies obtain aircraft or interceptor drones, or who pays for them.[1] ## Sources 1. Ministry of Defence of Ukraine: Strengthening Ukraine’s private air defense, Government approves six key changes (Nov. 4, 2026)