Some 45 Foreign Firms Apply To Test Weapons in Ukraine

Some 45 foreign companies have applied to test weapons in Ukraine under the newly launched Test in Ukraine initiative, according to the Brave1 technology cluster.

Brave1 is a Government of Ukraine platform designed to connect innovative companies with ideas and developments that can be applied to Ukraine’s defense.

Applications include drones, laser weapons, missiles, and artificial intelligence systems. The largest number came from manufacturers of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), intelligence reconnaissance complexes (IRCs), and communication and navigation systems. Submissions also came from producers of electronic warfare tools, surface drones, anti-drone systems, and other weapon technologies.

"In Ukraine, everything happens much faster: you don't have to wait months for testing permits, and feedback from technical and military experts comes almost instantly," said Andriy Hrytsenyuk, head of Brave1. He added that the program offers foreign firms "a unique opportunity not just to test the product, but also to get real feedback and improve the technology in the shortest possible time."

Hrytsenyuk described the launch of Test in Ukraine as an important step for defense and technology cooperation between Ukraine and the European Union. "No one knows when war may cross the EU borders, so our common mission is to be as prepared as possible today. Time is short, and we must move quickly, learn, and integrate Ukraine's experience to improve EU defense technologies," he said.

The Test in Ukraine platform began operating in mid-July. It provides a roadmap for foreign manufacturers to trial aerial, ground, and maritime drones, electronic warfare systems, and AI products in Ukraine’s conflict environment. Testing can be carried out directly in the field or by Brave1 specialists, with partners receiving detailed reports on results.

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According to reports, the U.S. Army is launching an Amazon-like online platform in autumn 2025 to streamline the purchase of unmanned systems, such as drones. The platform will allow units to directly select products based on price and performance, reducing bureaucracy and speeding up procurement. This initiative draws inspiration from Ukraine's Brave1 Market, which enables direct purchases of defense technologies and already features more than 1,000 solutions. The goal is to optimize evaluation, procurement, and deployment of unmanned systems, recognizing the importance of speed in modern conflicts.