Kyiv, Ukraine

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Since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, the Ukrainian military and global defence companies have undergone extreme change when it comes to their workforce dynamics. The Ukraine-Russia war was the first domino to fall, starting a cascade, such as escalating geopolitical tensions and bringing forth an economic crisis.

The war has been ongoing for over two years and Ukraine saw a depletion of its military strength. To combat that, Ukraine has introduced a law that allows the recruitment of convicts into its military. Global defence organisations are also hiring at unprecedented rates to meet the ever-rising demand.

Ukraine's Military Recruitment of Convicts

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As Ukraine continues to fight to defend itself against Russian attacks, the country faces a military personnel deficit. Last month, the Ukrainian government enacted a conscription law that allows physically fit and motivated prisoners convicted under certain charges to serve in the Armed Forces. This allows for the voluntary mobilisation of inmates.

Convicts who enlist are promised integration into regular battalions rather than distinct penal units, however, this strategy is being debated by military leaders.

According to the Ministry of Justice, Ukraine now has 26,000 prisoners in jail. The government reports that since the law went into force, 5,000 male convicts have applied to join the military. The courts have already freed roughly 2,000 individuals from prison and into the military after passing their medical exams. The first group of prisoner recruits is currently undergoing basic training.

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Source: Ministry of Justice, Ukraine

"Ukraine's decision to recruit convicts into their military amidst personnel shortages is a controversial approach. While it may provide short-term solutions, it raises concerns about military discipline and cohesion, training and integration challenges, potential human rights violations and long-term effectiveness and reliability," defence expert and war veteran, Col (Dr)  Divakaran Padma Kumar Pillay told WION.

Also read: At Ukraine peace summit, US Vice Prez Harris announces over $1.5 billion in aid for Kyiv

"Globally, similar approaches have been attempted. For example, Russia recruited convicts and mercenaries, raising concerns about human rights and accountability, " said Pillay, who is a recipient of Shaurya Chakra, one of India's biggest military honours.

"The US military has previously hired soldiers with criminal backgrounds, but only after thorough screening and rehabilitation programmes. India's Rehabilitation Policy allows former insurgents to be rehabilitated into paramilitary forces, with a focus on reintegration and repentance," added the PhD Research Fellow.

"While recruiting convicts may address short-term personnel shortages, it is crucial to consider the long-term implications and potential consequences on military effectiveness, discipline, and human rights. A balanced approach, incorporating alternative solutions and rehabilitation programmes, may yield more sustainable results," Pillay continued.

Global defence companies' hiring boom

The hiring boom is not limited to Ukraine. In parallel, defence companies around the world are undergoing the most intense recruitment drive since the end of the Cold War in 1991, according to Financial Times.

According to an FT survey of 20 major and medium-sized US and European defence and aerospace companies, they want to bring on tens of thousands of extra workers this year to handle the spike in orders brought on by the crisis in Ukraine and increased geopolitical instability across the world.

Also read: Russia-Ukraine war: US announces over $1.5bn more US energy, humanitarian aid for Kyiv

Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and General Dynamics, for example, have roughly 6,000 unfilled positions between them. In all, 10 surveyed organisations plan to increase their workforce by over 37,000 positions, representing a nearly 10% increase.

This boom in hiring drive includes positions such as engineers, software developers, cyber-security analysts, welders, and mechanics. There's a demand for both freshers and seasoned experts in these positions.

Companies like Rheinmetall and Nammo who are focusing on increasing their manufacture of ammunition are at the forefront of these hiring drives. Nammo has raised its personnel by 15% in the last two years and plans to double its workforce by 2030.

Data at a glance

  • Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and General Dynamics jointly have over 6,000 job openings.
  • Ten businesses polled plan to add about 37,000 jobs, or nearly 10% of their entire workforce.
  • Nammo's headcount rose by 15%, from 2,700 in 2021 to 3,100 in 2023.
  • Over the last three years, Thales has hired 9,000 workers, accounting for 11% of its current 81,000-strong workforce.
  • MBDA expects to add around 2,600 workers this year, accounting for 17% of its present workforce of 15,000.
  • Leonardo plans to hire 6,000 additional people by 2024.

(With inputs from agencies)