Ukraine has launched a program allowing foreign defense companies to test their military technologies on its battlefield — a first-of-its-kind opportunity amid its war with Russia.
Its government-backed defense technology incubator, Brave1, will facilitate the “Test in Ukraine” initiative. Drones, counter-drone platforms, ammunition, and artificial intelligence-powered systems are among those prioritized for testing, according to a press release.
The program will trial defense products in near-combat conditions and generate feedback. It also offers partnerships with Ukrainian manufacturers for co-production and accelerated deployment, potentially boosting the embattled country’s economy.
Noting Ukraine’s existing infrastructure and track record of rapid defense innovations, Minister of Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov said: “We are ready to help companies from partner countries develop, test, and improve technologies that really work on the battlefield.”
“This is an opportunity to gain experience that cannot be simulated in laboratories,” he stated online to participants at the LandEuro conference in Wiesbaden, Germany, which gathered defense contractors and military officials to advance ground force capabilities in Europe.
Test in Ukraine
Interested companies can apply for the program via the Brave1 website, which includes guidelines regarding permits and getting the platforms in and out of the country.
They can either directly participate and apply real-time adjustments to the product or delegate it to the Brave1 team for independent testing and evaluation, providing detailed reports for improvements.
Brave1 has launched a new Test in Ukraine platform, where international companies can apply to test their technologies in one of the most dynamic defense environments in the world. Test your tech on-site – or entrust to us. Learn more👇https://t.co/ahlSiEeGgr pic.twitter.com/DX779PWmts
— BRAVE1 (@BRAVE1ua) July 17, 2025
Participating firms get to refine their technology based on feedback from Ukraine’s combat-proven military units on testing grounds.
As the program aims to supply useful information to foreign arms makers, it could provide Ukraine access to the latest weapons and enhance its defense technology expertise.
This development is one of Ukraine’s efforts to enhance its warfighting edge and boost its economy, following its launch of the “Build with Ukraine” program last month, which aims to export its field-tested domestic weapons to European allies.
