Analysis and Prioritization of Effectiveness Factors of Engineering Support Measures in Defense Operations

Keywords: Engineering Support, Defense Operation, Influencing Factors, Swot Analysis, Analytic Hierarchy Process, Efficiency

Abstract

Purpose. Comprehensive assessment and prioritization of factors influencing the effectiveness of engineering support measures in a defensive operation through the integration of SWOT analysis and the Analytic Hierarchy Process, taking into account the characteristics of modern warfare.

Method. The methodological framework of the study is based on an integrated approach that combines SWOT analysis for the qualitative identification and structuring of internal and external factors of engineering support, and the Analytic Hierarchy Process for their quantitative prioritization based on expert judgments. The empirical basis of the study consists of the results of an independent expert survey of engineering support specialists of the Armed Forces of Ukraine with practical combat experience.

Findings. The study reveals the dominant influence of external factors, in particular the adversary’s active actions and the characteristics of the weapons systems employed, as well as the decisive role of managerial and organizational components of engineering support. The constructed SWOT matrix and the results of the Analytic Hierarchy Process substantiate the feasibility of implementing strategies aimed at compensating internal constraints through the use of external opportunities while simultaneously strengthening internal capabilities.

Practical implications. The practical significance of the study lies in the possibility of using the obtained results by military command and control authorities to substantiate managerial decisions regarding the development of engineering support, optimization of resource utilization, and enhancement of the effectiveness of defensive task execution within force groupings.

Papertype. Research/science-theory.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Abastante, F., Corrente, S., Greco, S., Ishizaka, A., & Lami, I. M. (2019). A new parsimonious AHP methodology: Assigning priorities to many objects by comparing pairwise few reference objects. Expert Systems with Applications, 124, 192–203. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eswa.2019.02.036

Abdel-Basset, M., Mohamed, M., & Smarandache, F. (2018). An extension of neutrosophic AHP–SWOT analysis for strategic planning and decision-making. Symmetry, 10(4), 116. https://doi.org/10.3390/sym10040116

Asmoro, R. D., Suharto, Prihantoro, M., Hidayat, C., & Yusgiantoro, P. (2021). Application of analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and CADMID in the military procurement system. International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications, 11(10), 576–583. https://doi.org/10.29322/IJSRP.11.10.2021.p11865

Attajer, A., et al. (2022). An analytic hierarchy process augmented with expert rules for product-driven control in cyber-physical manufacturing systems. Computers in Industry, 143, 103742. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compind.2022.103742

Cegan, J. C., & Golan, M. S. (2021). Siting military base camps through an MCDA framework. Journal of Military Studies, 10(1), 10–21. https://doi.org/10.2478/jms-2021-0014

CNA. (2025). Russian concepts of future warfare based on lessons from the Ukraine war.

Department of Defense. (2025). DOD annual performance plan 2025.

Dyachenko, S., & Artiushenko, O. (2024). Application of the analytic hierarchy method in the area of defence expenditure management. Bulletin of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. Military-Special Sciences, 4(60), 53–57. https://doi.org/10.17721/1728-2217.2024.60.53-57

Galahan, V. I. (2024). Procedure for assessing the capacity of military command and control bodies to implement informatization projects. Collection of Scientific Works of the Center for Military and Strategic Studies of the National Defence University of Ukraine, 1(80), 59–65. https://doi.org/10.33099/2304-2745/2024-1-80/59-65

Holbrook, M. S. (2024). Engineer lessons learned from the war in Ukraine. Line of Departure. https://www.lineofdeparture.army.mil/Journals/Engineer/July-24-Engineer/Lessons-Ukraine/

Holovan, O. M., Nazarenko, O. L., & Rudynskyi, V. V. (2025). Analysis of factors of metrological support of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Science and Technology of the National Guard of Ukraine.

Hodicky, J., Özkan, G., Özdemir, H., Stodola, P., Drozd, J., & Buck, W. (2020). AHP-based aggregation mechanism for resilience measurement: NATO aggregated resilience decision support model. Entropy, 22(9), 1037. https://doi.org/10.3390/e22091037

Hossain, M. M., Ahmed, M. M., & Islam, A. (2024). Application of analytic hierarchy process and game theory in military decision-making: A perspective of the Bangladesh Liberation War. BUP Journal, 11(2), 1–23. https://doi.org/10.63888/BJ/CHSR/24a/anhp

Hudyma, V., & Chervoniak, V. (2025). Analysis of factors influencing the metrological support system of military units in the Armed Forces of Ukraine based on the experience of the Russo-Ukrainian war. Social Development and Security, 15(1), 76–87. https://doi.org/10.33445/sds.2025.15.1.7

Modern War Institute at West Point. (2025). Lessons from Ukraine: Why the U.S. Army needs to rethink engineer reconnaissance.

Munier, N. (2021). Uses and limitations of the AHP method: A non-mathematical and rational analysis. Springer Nature. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-60392-2

Parween, S., & Sinha, R. (2024). An analytical hierarchy process approach for prioritization of objectives and parameters for integrated urban water management. KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering, 28(4), 1566–1579. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12205-024-1019-2

Pashchenko, T., Cherneha, V., & Khoroshylova, S. (2024). Decision-making methodology for selecting a demining direction based on the analytic hierarchy process. Modern Information Technologies in the Sphere of Security and Defence, 50(2), 129–138. https://doi.org/10.33099/2311-7249/2024-50-2-129-138

RAND Corporation. (2025). Recommendations to Ukraine for harnessing defence technology.

Saaty, T. L. (1980). The analytic hierarchy process: Planning, priority setting, resource allocation. McGraw-Hill.

Saaty, T. L. (2014). Analytic hierarchy process. UKM Journal of Quantitative Methods in Applications, 14, 1–15.

Slusher, M. (2025). Lessons from the Ukraine conflict: Modern warfare in the age of autonomy, information, and resilience. Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Srebrenkoska, S., Apostolova, A., Dzidrov, M., & Krstev, D. (2023). Application of analytical hierarchy process (AHP) in the selection of a flexible production system. Engineering World, 5, 138–143. https://doi.org/10.37394/232025.2023.5.15

Wood, J. B., Mason, J. L., & Bianchini, A. (2020). An analytic hierarchy process approach using multiple raters for the selection of complex technologies. Journal of Defense Modeling and Simulation, 18(4), 495–504. https://doi.org/10.1177/1548512920949911

Yalçin, G. C., & Kara, K. (2022). Application of AHP technique for the selection of a military warehouse: An empirical analysis for Turkey. Uluslararası Yönetim Akademisi Dergisi, 5(3), 665–676. https://doi.org/10.33712/mana.1174533

Zeynalova, G. M., & Talibov, A. M. (2025). Multilevel optimization of military logistics: MCDA and GIS-based decision support for route and resource planning. Grail of Science, 55, 550–559. https://doi.org/10.36074/grail-of-science.22.08.2025.062


Abstract views: 71
PDF Downloads: 56
Published
2026-02-28
How to Cite
Denysov, I., & Kainaran, A. (2026). Analysis and Prioritization of Effectiveness Factors of Engineering Support Measures in Defense Operations. Social Development & Security, 16(1), 132-149. https://doi.org/10.33445/sds.2026.16.1.10
Section
Military Security