Ukraine and NATO are launching their first joint programme to accelerate defence innovation, called UNITE – Brave NATO.

Source: Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine's First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Transformation

Details: Fedorov said the first pilot competition will begin in 2026, with a total budget of €10 million. On the Ukrainian side, the programme will be coordinated by Brave1, a state-backed tech cluster, while on the NATO side the first competition will be implemented by the NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCIA). Funding will be provided through the Comprehensive Assistance Package (CAP) for Ukraine and Ukraine's Ministry of Digital Transformation.

The project will focus on developing new innovative products to address the following tasks:

• countering UAVs
• strengthening air defence
• providing communications and navigation systems on the front lines.

"This will give NATO invaluable real-time experience, while Ukraine will benefit from faster development of defence technologies," Fedorov added.

Applications are expected to open in February 2026. Winners will be announced in spring 2026. Details will be published early next year, and there are plans to increase joint funding to €50 million.

Background: It was previously reported that Ukraine will become a full component of the EU's new defence architecture. Andrius Kubilius, European Commissioner for Defence and Space, said this means not just participation in existing mechanisms, but contributing to the creation of new joint production and technologies that will underpin Europe's future security.

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