How is the issue with equipping the Armed Forces with the new means of communication now? What are the pace of rearmament on the latest means, as the “figure” wins the “analogue”? What foreign and Ukrainian companies are involved in this process? What are the prospects? The answers to these questions are in a special topic under the heading “Military communication. Transformation “of Defense Express magazine No. 3 for 2018, which the subscribers have already received and become acquainted with. Given the urgency of this issue, both for the Armed Forces of Ukraine and for the defense of the country as a whole, we publish these materials to the general public. Today – an interview with Larisa Tatarintseva, General Director of «Dolya & Ko.LTD».

Reference:

«Dolya & Ko.LTD» is a Ukrainian developer and manufacturer of Radio Communication Agent and Lybid, as well as a company that is implementing a solution to build Motorola Solutions’ professional radio communications systems.

At the beginning of Russian aggression, the issue of providing working communication facilities was for the Ukrainian military, perhaps not the most painful and relevant. The need was so great and urgent that its timely satisfaction seemed almost impossible. However, this task was accomplished thanks to the active work of the Ukrainian company «Dolya & Ko.LTD», an authorized platinum partner of Motorola Solutions Corporation. It is these radiocommunication facilities that are not the most widespread in the Armed Forces of Ukraine today.

L a r i s a  T a t a r i n t s e v a
General Director of «Dolya & Ko.LTD»

About the state of cooperation with the defense department of Ukraine in the past and at the current stage, as well as about the directions of development of the company «Dolya & Ko.LTD», the editorial staff of the Defense Express magazine had an opportunity to question the director general of the company, Larysa TATARINTSEVA.

Larisa Anatolievna, please tell me a few words about your company. When was it created, what was its main activity, and what was the impetus for work in the interests of the Ukrainian Army?

– The company «Dolya & Ko.LTD» was founded on April 9, 1992. The main line of business that was chosen at that time is unchanged – the production of professional communications equipment, system integration, construction of communication systems. First of all, they were analog systems, and now analogue-digital and digital trunking radio systems. Since the establishment of the company, there is a team of developers, we have a number of our own specialist developments for the needs of both public and private companies. Today «Dolya & Ko.LTD» is a leader of the digital radio communications market, producer of Ukrainian radio communications of trademarks Agent and “Lybid”.
At the time when the trouble came to the country, we had a portfolio of our own work, which could be adapted to military needs. We did not pretend to supply station tactical units, however, by that time we had experience working with self-organizing systems of the world’s leading manufacturers. Based on our knowledge and experience, in January 2014, we sent a letter to the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine asking us to consider our proposals that could be used to build a radio communication system. They were based on our own capabilities and on the decisions of our partners. After conducting numerical tests and reviewing price proposals by the Tender Committee of the Ministry of Defense, we were selected as a supplier of a wide range of radio equipment.
– It was heard that on the eve of the war in the «Dolya & Ko.LTD» there were stocks of radio stations in warehouses, which then bought the Ministry of Defense.
– Based on the understanding of the needs of radio communication, I decided to place an order for digital trunking radio equipment at Motorola Solyushins company. This made it possible to quickly deliver the troops’ needs.

– And was cooperation with state structures to events in the Donbass?

– So. For example, the systems of digital trunking radio communication of the standard TETRA for the first time were built in Ukraine in the framework of Euro-2012 at the NSC “Olympic”, at the airport “Donetsk” and on the football arena of Lviv. Our “cyborgs” used the remnants of the system during the airport security in Donetsk. And she effectively worked indoors. However, it should be understood that this was a situational decision of the officers who were on the ground and used everything that was at hand to carry out combat missions. In that situation, the main factor was the availability of digital communication with cryptographic protection of information resistant to interference.

– Is it true that I understand that your most up-to-date solutions, called “Lybid”, are Ukrainian radio stations, which combine the solutions of Dolya and Motorola Corporation?

– “Lybid” is a digital radio device, adapted for use in various conditions, according to one or another technical task of the customer. At the beginning of our cooperation with the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, we provided the customer with the predominantly communications equipment produced by Motorola Solutions Corporation. Today, we are gradually moving towards creating a Ukrainian product. The 2014 model is different from the 2018 model. In addition, we, together with specialists of Motorolas Solutions, created software, which is distributed only on the territory of Ukraine. In 2014, we bought voltage converters, and today we are producing them themselves. We created a sample radio station that has the protection of the IP-68, equipped with its military connectors, antennae, and so on.

In fact, we have created a radio station that uses only the Motorola Solutions Transceiver. Everything else is there by ours. However, it has not yet become a purely military tactical station. At least, in terms of the presence of a PCR or the function of “MAnet”. But many new functions are needed for the military. Moreover, the functionality of the then purchased stations is now being gradually updated.

– All these types of radio stations are still used by the decision of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine №345 – in the format of “provision”, but not the adoption of … What are the prospects?

– To date, we have completed a complete cycle of defining departmental tests. We are allowed to use during the ATO. For the adoption of weapons to undergo a state test. Our goal is to constantly improve communication facilities and, at the same time, maintain the optimum price bar so that the Army men are interested in continuing cooperation with our company.

– You said about the software that you created with Motorola. Is it certified and passed all necessary checks?

– Yes of course. Our software is absolutely legalized in Ukraine. «Dolya & Ko.LTD» has made software for radio stations and crypt-protection software, which has been tested and approved for use by the State Service for Special Communications and Information Protection. We also manufacture hardware and software complex cryptographic information security.

– Can we say that all the radio stations of your company, which are currently installed in the troops, implemented crypto-protection?

– Yes, absolutely all radios to date have a certified DSSZ and ZI a reliable cryptographic key length of 40 or 256 bits, which can be quickly changed. And this is very important for our warriors, because a reliable radio is life-saving.

– How is your product servicing organized today?

– The service of our radio stations is realized through our own service center of the company. We have a connection through the corresponding services of the rear. Upon receipt of the storage facility, we obtain the equipment and carry out diagnostics and maintenance. During one day, we repair or replace the warranty, and in the future we will transfer it to the troops. Given the situation in the country, we provide our products, which go to war, a guarantee for five years. This is an extremely important step that none of our competitors has left.

– And does the company receive any funds from the service in the interests of the military?

– The service guarantee, in principle, fell on us completely. We provide maintenance at the expense of our working capital. Quarterly we prepare a consolidated report on our work, in terms of units, with a clear list that was made at the station and we submit it to the relevant structures of the defense department. There directly indicate that it was executed under the guarantee, and what is at its own expense. However, to date, we have not received a single penny for the service. In fact, the repair of mechanical damage to equipment, which takes place on our initiative – our assistance to the army.

– How is the training of specialists for using your radios?

– At first everything was hard enough. It was necessary to teach a huge number of users who had never before been held in the hands of the radio station. In fact, in the round-the-clock regime, our specialists provided advice, traveled to educational institutions, troops, and taught commanders in the ATO zone. After the rotation, it was necessary to teach already new people who again had only superficial knowledge.

Now in the Poltava center, a full cycle of training for our military is deployed. There is a very good base, which, among other things, includes the cycle of studying Motorola equipment radio equipment. Initially, the training was carried out by specialists of our company, and now there are already own teachers. Poltava is very well trained to train staff for the proper set up and use of radio communication systems.

– A separate issue is competition in the domestic market …

– This is a very painful question. We still have to spend a lot of time and effort to counteract organized, including with the support of the aggressor, attacks, which are aimed primarily to undermine the company’s business reputation and the morale of the workers.

– The accusations against your company are due to the reaction of the military or is it mainly provocations from competitors?

– You know, all the attacks are offset by a huge amount of gratitude, sent us flags with the signatures of real defenders of Ukraine, with the amount of positive feedback we receive on our e-mails and telephones from the military! Positive in times more than negative. The remarks and wishes from the military have priority number one.

– What is the situation with the purchase of your products by the defense department? Has it changed in the last two years?

– Of course, changed. Procurement dropped. In 2014, it was the largest purchase. In 2015, it is smaller, in 2016, purchases generally started only sometime in July. At this time, we just helped our military on a voluntary basis. In 2017, purchases were at 2016 levels.

– How are you going to act in the future? Do you have a general interest in working with law enforcement agencies?

– Of course, we are interested in developing relations with our law enforcement agencies. If, as the Head of the Armed Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Volodymyr Rapko says, our products will be handed over as garrison communication systems, then we will be able to build such a system, properly configure and teach people to use it. But this is a very large amount of work.

In any case, the main emphasis in the military segment will focus on improving existing models, or perhaps the creation of a new “Lybid” model, which will best meet the needs of the military, will have new software, a new level of protection. That is, a product that really will have the maximum national component and mass destination.

– So. And this was proved by our participation in the arms exhibition in Thailand. We were even invited to field trials. That is, even if the market is saturated with means of communication of well-known brands, the niche for a Ukrainian product still exists. First, it is cheaper in price, and secondly, it is used in a country that is involved in real combat. And those armies that make choices consider these circumstances. However, we are now focusing on providing consumers in Ukraine.

– What are the problems of relations with the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine? What would you like to change in dealing with the defense department?

– If we talk about improvement or improvement of relations, then, probably, the question of the price of products needs to be settled. A 1% markup charge and 20% of the total operating costs currently used to receive military products are an extremely painful and limiting factor for enterprise development. In 2017, together with the League of Defense Companies of Ukraine, which includes our company, we worked to change this situation. I believe that a 5% markup on the material component and 30% on overall production costs will allow us to quickly create a Ukrainian competitive product for the defense industry.

In addition, the question of predictability by the defense department is also important to us. A clear definition of the needs and perspectives of equipping the troops with means of communication would enable them to better plan their own activities.

This article is placed with kind consent

Information and consulting company «Defense Express»