Ukraine and NATO Launch ‘UNITE–Brave NATO’ to Turbocharge Counter-Drone, SIGINT, and Battlefield Tech Innovation

New €10M grant initiative will unite Ukrainian and NATO industry teams to accelerate breakthrough defenses—from counter-UAS systems to resilient battlefield comms—in response to evolving Russian threats

BRUSSELS | Ukraine and NATO have jointly unveiled a major defense innovation initiative designed to accelerate the development of advanced counter-drone technologies, secure battlefield communications, and other high-priority capabilities urgently needed on the front lines of the Ukraine–Russia war.

The new program, UNITE–Brave NATO, will launch a pilot competition in early 2026, offering grants to industry teams drawn from both Ukraine and NATO member states. The effort aims to bring emerging technologies directly from prototype to battlefield deployment—and to strengthen long-term interoperability between Ukrainian forces and the Alliance.

According to a Wednesday announcement, the first round of funding will total €10 million, split evenly between NATO’s Comprehensive Assistance Package for Ukraine (CAP) and Ukraine’s Ministry of Digital Transformation. If initial results prove successful, partners expect funding to grow to €50 million by 2026, marking one of the largest joint tech-development investments since Russia’s 2022 invasion.

Counter-UAS and Secure Comms Top Priority List

The launch comes as Ukraine continues to defend against saturation drone attacks, long-range strikes, and increasingly sophisticated Russian electronic warfare.

The program will prioritize:

• Counter-drone systems capable of detecting, tracking, and neutralizing Russian UAVs
• Secure and resilient battlefield communications resistant to jamming
• Signals intelligence (SIGINT) applications
• Uncrewed ground systems for logistics and reconnaissance
• Navigation tools robust against GPS denial and electromagnetic disruption

These technology areas “reflect the operational realities on the battlefield today,” NATO officials said—where small drones, electronic warfare, and precision strike capabilities are shaping tactics as dramatically as artillery did in past conflicts.

A Rapid Innovation Path, Modeled on Real Battlefield Lessons

Both NATO and the Pentagon have spent the last three years closely studying the Ukraine–Russia war, noting how quickly new technologies—especially drones, jamming systems, and counter-UAS weapons—enter the battlefield cycle.

UNITE–Brave NATO is designed to operationalize those lessons.

The program will focus on “bringing to the frontline new innovative products” and scaling “prototyped and tested technologies that meet interoperability requirements,” officials wrote.

Industry registration will open in the coming weeks, with joint team submissions expected in February 2026. Winners of the first competition will be announced at the next NATO–Ukraine Defence Innovators Forum, signaling the formal kickoff of Europe’s next major defense technology accelerator.

Strengthening Ukraine—and NATO—with Innovation

Beyond the immediate battlefield needs, the initiative sends a long-term strategic message. By pairing Ukrainian combat-proven tech innovators with NATO’s industrial base, the Alliance aims to strengthen its own future force as much as Ukraine’s.

Ukrainian defense companies—many forged under wartime urgency—have become global leaders in rapid drone adaptation, battlefield automation, and electronic warfare resilience. NATO officials say merging that ecosystem with Alliance industry could improve shared capabilities and readiness across Europe.

As Russia continues to evolve its use of drones, SIGINT, and EW tactics, NATO’s bet is clear: the side that transitions fastest from prototype to battlefield will define the next phase of deterrence.

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-- By James W. Thomas

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