Ukraine launches new rules for joint development of cutting-edge weapons, official says
Prime Minister of Ukraine Yulia Svyrydenko (photo: facebook.com/KabminUA)
Ukraine has introduced unified rules for developing defense technologies in cooperation with international partners, Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko reports.
New program details
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a clear framework for cooperation under the Brave International initiative.
According to Minister Svyrydenko, the decision regulates both already announced and future international projects, including UNITE Brave NATO, Brave Norway, Brave France, Brave Germany, and Brave Lithuania.
Thanks to this step, Ukraine and its partners will be able to quickly launch joint grant competitions. The total budget of the first support programs already exceeds 100 million euros.
"This decision gives the green light for the rapid launch of joint grant competitions. Both Ukrainian companies and developers and foreign-jurisdiction startups can participate," Yulia Svyrydenko said.
Key goals, rules
The Brave International initiative focuses on three main objectives:
- Identifying new technologies to meet frontline needs
- Attraction of funding to support Ukrainian defense startups
- Integrating Ukraine's defense tech sector into the global market
Project funding will be provided through joint grant funds on a 50/50 basis between Ukraine and partner countries. At the same time, all developments will undergo mandatory testing in Ukraine on the Test in Ukraine platform.
The Brave1 cluster is expected to launch the first international competitions in the near future.
Ukrainian drone production in Europe
Ukraine, together with several dozen countries, is scaling up mass production of drones abroad. Joint defense projects are being launched in Norway, the Netherlands, Romania, Germany, and other partner states.
This model of cooperation allows for the pooling of efforts: Ukraine shares its unique combat experience and ready-made technological solutions, while European partners provide funding, manufacturing capacity, certification, and protection of production lines against Russian strikes.
Within the Build with Ukraine initiative, production lines are being opened in allied countries, with the most active joint manufacturing currently taking place in Germany, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Latvia.
Also, reports emerged that Ukrainian defense tech company SkyFall and Poland's Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego signed a memorandum of understanding. The agreement opens opportunities to attract European Union funding under the Ukraine Facility program to develop Ukrainian drone systems and dual-use technologies.
