The state operator of the rear of the Ministry of Defense has concluded a new contract with the company "Temp-3000" for the supply of 20 thousand combat helmets worth UAH 163.2 million. And although the price of one helmet "Capka-2M" remained at the level of 8 160 UAH ($ 194), and the conditions of the tender look standard, the main question remains unchanged: why again did only one company-"Temp-3000"?
In the public procurement system, the tender ended in the same way as many previous ones - the automatic victory of a single participant. The last two suppliers met in the auction in May 2024. Since then, Temp-3000 has invariably received contracts without competition. And even relatively simple requirements - the experience of fulfilling a similar contract by 30% of the purchase value and corresponding income for 2024 - do not encourage other players to enter the market.
Temp-3000, which has the full name of LLC "Temp-3000", is well known in the defense sector. It is a large group of 18 legal entities under the brand of the same name. Formally owners are the venture fund "Economics" (50%) of Stanislav Lesnikov and Yuriy Yevtushenko (50%).
And the name of Lesnikov is among those who are most often in investigations. In 2024, the SBU officially declared him a suspicion of a shadow influence on the financial flows of Ukrzaliznytsia during Poroshenko and Avakov.
In addition, the company has repeatedly appeared in criminal proceedings due to the supply of substandard bulletproof vests that did not pass ballistic tests. However, these episodes have not prevented the Temp-3000 from 2016 to win state tenders totaling almost UAH 10 billion.
Formally, there is no monopoly - participation in tenders is open to all. But in fact, only Temp-3000 systematically receives orders for personal protective equipment, armor and helmets for the army. Other players are either not allowed or not served at all.
As a result, the state pays considerable funds without confidence in the competitiveness of the price. Against the background of long war, high demand and shortened budget, this practice looks at least risky.
