NATO and Ukraine have announced the next phase of their joint innovation initiative, opening a €10 million funding round aimed at accelerating defense technology development, including counter-drone and air defense solutions.
The program, known as UNITE – Brave NATO, was first unveiled in November 2025 and is designed to connect Ukrainian and Allied companies to address urgent battlefield challenges.
Under the new phase, companies from NATO member states and Ukraine can register through an online portal hosted by Brave1, where they can form partnerships and prepare joint proposals ahead of the competition window opening this spring.
Focus on counter-drone and air defense
The initial set of challenges includes counter-UAS and broader air defense requirements, reflecting lessons from the war in Ukraine and the growing importance of scalable, cost-effective solutions highlighted in the Middle East.
Participating teams will be jointly evaluated by NATO and Ukrainian authorities, with contracts awarded by the NATO Communications and Information Agency in line with alliance procurement procedures.
Funding for Allied companies will be provided through NATO’s Comprehensive Assistance Package for Ukraine, while Ukraine’s Ministry of Digital Transformation will support domestic participants.
Officials say the initiative is part of a wider effort to strengthen links between NATO and Ukraine’s defense innovation ecosystems while accelerating the deployment of new technologies.
The program is expected to feature prominently at the upcoming NATO-Ukraine Defence Innovators Forum, scheduled for June 1-2 in Vilnius.
Further competition rounds are already in development, with plans to expand total funding to €50 million in the coming phases.
Representatives from NATO and Ukraine are set to address attendees in London at the Counter UAS Technology Europe conference on April 20-22, where they will share operational lessons from the war in Ukraine and NATO’s counter-drone development efforts.
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Post Image Credit: NATO
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