The initiative will provide grants of up to €1 million for Ukrainian and French companies developing advanced missiles, drones, and countermeasures, with technologies validated in real combat conditions.
Ukraine and France are officially launching BRAVE FRANCE, a major joint defencetech initiative.
Ukraine’s state defence cluster, BRAVE1, alongside the French Defence Innovation Agency (AID), has established a joint €20 million budget — contributing €10 million from each side — to fund breakthrough military solutions.
This joint grant program will unite Ukrainian and French companies to co-develop cutting-edge technologies that directly address our most critical frontline challenges.
With individual grants reaching up to €1 million, the first call for projects will launch this September. The primary focus will be placed on advanced missile technologies, unmanned systems, and next-generation aerial countermeasures.
All solutions developed through the program will undergo rigorous validation in real combat conditions via BRAVE1’s Test in Ukraine platform.
According to Mykhailo Fedorov, The Minister of Defence of Ukraine:
“The deal represents a highly strategic, win-win format of international partnership: Ukraine gains immediate access to battlefield-changing European technologies, while France secures a unique opportunity to adapt its defence innovations to a high-intensity modern war.”
The agreement was signed today by AID Director Patrick Aufort and Brave1 Operations Director Iryna Zabolotna, with the participation of French Armed Forces Minister Catherine Vautrin.