European Commission launches platform for testing military technologies in real combat conditions in Ukraine
The European Commission announced the launch of a new phase of the large-scale BraveTech EU initiative, within which a special platform has been created for testing military technologies in real combat conditions.
The project with a budget of 35 million euros is aimed at the operational implementation of priority defense innovations in Ukraine. This will shorten the path of developments from European laboratories to direct application on the front.
The implementation of the initiative is already in an active phase. The first selection of technological solutions is scheduled for June 2026, and field tests will begin in the fall of the same year in close coordination with the Ukrainian side. The program is designed not only to provide immediate support to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, but also to strengthen the defense-industrial complex of the European Union itself by gaining unique combat experience.
“This marks the beginning of a new stage in the implementation of BraveTech EU — a joint initiative aimed at accelerating the introduction of military technologies for the defense industry of Ukraine. The platform, whose budget is 35 million euros, is designed to ensure the rapid implementation of priority innovations directly on the Ukrainian battlefield,” the European Commission noted.
BraveTech EU is the result of a strategic partnership between the European Commission and the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine, which officially launched in July 2025. The project integrates the capabilities of the Ukrainian defense technology platform BRAVE 1 with leading European Union programs, in particular the European Defense Fund.
The main focus is on supporting joint actions, conducting hackathons and rapid testing of products of small and medium-sized enterprises and startups.
Cooperation within this platform stimulates direct interaction between European and Ukrainian manufacturers. This approach allows scaling up innovations that have already proven their effectiveness in the difficult conditions of modern warfare. In addition to technical aspects, the initiative contributes to the harmonization of military production standards between Ukraine and EU member states.
The rapid transformation of the European defense sector through the experience of the Ukrainian battlefield is a key priority of the initiative. The innovations implemented are expected to significantly increase technological superiority and ensure the long-term sustainability of the region’s security architecture. The BraveTech EU platform remains an open tool for the development of the most promising military technologies.
