Ukraine and NATO have launched the first competition under the UNITE — Brave NATO program. It will enhance collaboration in next-generation defense technologies, according to Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov.
Technological mobilization: work side by side
The first stage of the competition focuses on establishing B2B partnerships between Ukrainian and NATO companies.
In Ukraine, the program is coordinated by the Brave1 defense innovation cluster. A dedicated portal has been created for effective collaboration, accessible after registration and verification.
Counter-drone efforts and air defense innovation: competition budget and objectives
The themes of the first competition include:
- Active protection systems against FPV drones;
- Countermeasures against Shahed-class drones;
- Enhancement of signals intelligence (SIGINT) and electromagnetic technologies;
- Development of autonomous guidance systems;
- High-altitude flight platforms.
The total budget for the first competition is €10 million, with funding up to €1 million per joint project and up to €500,000 for individual initiatives.
Winners will be announced in summer 2026, and their developments could form the backbone of Ukraine’s next-generation defense systems.
Ukraine gets closer to NATO every month
In March 2026, NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Transformation visited Ukraine with a NATO top-level team for the first time since the full-scale war began.
Historic NATO visit: Admiral Pierre Vandier meets Ukrainian Chief of General Staff Andrii Hnatov in Kyiv
Admiral Pierre Vandier had meetings with Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Pavlo Palisa and Lieutenant General Andrii Hnatov, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Talks focused on two tracks: Ukraine's expanding role in NATO exercises and the future of the NATO-Ukraine Joint Analysis, Training, and Education Centre (JATEC).
Discussions also centered on Ukrainian forces participating in future NATO exercises as a simulated adversary—the so-called Red Team.
Earlier, in drills in Portugal, an international naval group led by Ukraine, acting as the opposing force, conditionally “sank” at least one allied frigate.
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