A soldier of the Unmanned Systems Forces prepares a drone 'Salut' for flight by connecting cables to the system on March 31, 2026 in Kharkiv, Ukraine. (Photo by Nikoletta Stoyanova/Getty Images)
MILAN — Ukraine’s defense technology cluster Brave1 and NATO have launched a joint innovation program that will fund defense companies, with the first call focused on counter-drone systems against FPV and Shahed-type drones.
Applications for the project, described as the “first joint innovation grant program,” are intended for companies from Ukraine and NATO member states. The program opened on Tuesday.
Funding of up to €500 million ($569.6 million) per partner is available for joint ventures between one Ukrainian firm and another from a NATO member state.
Five areas were listed by Brave1 as of high interest: active protection systems against FPVS, affordable counter-shaded systems, electromagnetic support for signals intelligence, electromagnetic attack technology against FPVs, and high-altitude platforms.
