Ukraine's rapid-innovation lab fuels high-tech weapons against Russian forces

Founded in 2023, Brave1 operates as a state-supported laboratory that accelerates the creation of advanced military technology for Ukraine. Andrii Grițeniuk says the centre shortens innovation cycles from a year to a few weeks, allowing fresh drones, AI-guided weapons and unmanned ground vehicles to reach combat units quickly. Collaboration with a British aerospace, defence and security trade body helps integrate Ukrainian breakthroughs into Western supply chains.

Over the past three years the platform has awarded numerous grants, supporting companies that have supplied the Ukrainian army with a wide array of systems, from kamikaze drones to robotic turrets. These tools have been used on the ground, in the Black Sea and even against targets in Moscow, prompting Russian forces to pull back in some areas. In response, Russia has ramped up its own drone production, while Brave1 has launched competitions to develop interceptors and other counter-measures.