"Army+" asks what a dry ration should look like
The "Army+" app has launched a new survey for military personnel regarding Ukrainian-made dry rations, to understand how practical they are in real-world service conditions and what changes should be made. The responses will be used to update the composition and packaging of rations for the Defense Forces, according to the Ministry of Defense.
A new survey has launched in the “Army+” app, asking service members to honestly share their experiences using dry rations. This is not a formal “check-the-box” questionnaire, but an attempt to gather real-world feedback from those who actually consume them in the field, at their posts, and while carrying out missions. The idea is simple: to understand what works well and what makes life difficult in service conditions where there is no time for unnecessary details.
We’re talking about a daily set of food items for one full meal, which is why attention to detail is critically important here—for some, it’s a quick lunch between missions, while for others, it’s the only hot meal of the day. The Ministry of Defense wants to know which factors matter most: calorie content, taste, compactness, the ability to consume the meal without heating or even without water, and how convenient the packaging itself is in field conditions.
In the survey, service members are asked to evaluate not only their overall impression but also specific details—exactly what they eat from the ration, which items are unnecessary, and which they would like to see added, as well as whether soups, other protein sources, or additional energy components are needed. Special attention is paid to how the product performs in real-world conditions—whether it’s easy to open, doesn’t take up too much space, and can withstand field conditions.
The survey is available in the “Surveys” section of the “Army+” app and will run from May 29 to June 12, so service members have a limited time to submit their feedback. The collected data will be analyzed by the Defense Procurement Agency (DPA), which will subsequently incorporate it into its procurement approaches and efforts to improve nutrition for the Defense Forces.
The Ministry of Defense emphasizes that it is precisely these responses that help make the system more practical and aligned with real needs, rather than theoretical standards. In essence, this is an effort to gather “on-the-ground” experience and translate it into concrete changes that service members will feel in their daily provisions.
Over the past 24 hours, the Russian army has lost another 1,430 soldiers in the war against Ukraine. Ukrainian defenders have also destroyed dozens of artillery systems, hundreds of vehicles, and nearly 1,800 drones.
