Ukraine launches Defense Tech cluster BRAVE1

The Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine, the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, the Ministry of Strategic Industries of Ukraine, and the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine on April 26 announced they have founded a united coordinational platform for defense tech in Ukraine.
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The war activated hundreds of Ukrainian defense tech companies, which develop cutting-edge solutions for waging "smart war" (Picture source: BRAVE1 Tech cluster)

Representatives of Ukrainian state institutions signed a memorandum of cooperation and support within the framework of the project, the purpose of which is to arm and transfer advanced Ukrainian technological solutions to the front for superiority over the enemy and victory, comprehensive support of Ukrainian developers in the field of innovative defense technologies, and development of the sphere to transform Ukraine into a world leader in defense tech.

The war activated hundreds of Ukrainian defense tech companies, which develop cutting-edge solutions for waging "smart war". Ukraine has impressed the world with its ingenuity, quick non-trivial solutions, and effective deployment of breakthrough technologies. These solutions strengthen the country's defense capability, save the lives of defenders and civilians, and use resources efficiently thanks to technological innovations: drones, robotic systems, situational awareness centers, artificial intelligence, cyber security, communication systems, satellite data, and much more. Innovative developments for the army are quickly tested and verified in combat conditions, improving in accordance with the tasks and goals of the security and defense forces.

To accelerate the implementation of such developments, BRAVE1 is being created as the entry point for cooperation between defense tech companies, the government and the military, as well as investors, volunteer funds, the media, and everyone who helps to bring victory closer through technology.

During the event, Mykhaylo Fedorov presented the BRAVE1 portal, which allows Ukrainian innovators to submit their projects and get access to military expertise, grants and other opportunities provided by the cluster.

The comprehensive cooperation between public and private stakeholders within the framework of BRAVE1 and the support of the industry will not only support the Army today but will also become a base for further scaling Ukrainian defense tech solutions globally, which have been tested and proven effective in the fiercest battles (Picture source: BRAVE1 Tech cluster)

BRAVE1 focuses on 5 directions

1) Invest: Provide grants to developers prioritized for security and defense needs
2) Invent: Find effective solutions to the problems of the security and defense forces by Ukrainian developments
3) Platform: Create a platform that unites all industry stakeholders
4) Showcase: Maximize the representation of defense tech developments for the military
5) Boost: Provide comprehensive support to projects identified as priorities for security and defense forces

The comprehensive cooperation between public and private stakeholders within the framework of BRAVE1 and the support of the industry will not only support the Army today but will also become a base for further scaling Ukrainian defense tech solutions globally, which have been tested and proven effective in the fiercest battles.

The intensification of joint work will allow increasing the efficiency of providing the Armed Forces of Ukraine with high-tech weapons, military and special equipment and ammunition (Picture source: BRAVE1 Tech cluster)

Mykhailo Fedorov, Vice Prime Minister for Innovations, Development of Education, Science and Technologies – Minister of Digital Transformation of Ukraine, said : "Ukraine has to become a country that is rapidly developing, learning and actively using technology. Especially in the military sector. Launching of the BRAVE1 is one of the important steps in this direction. Our goal is to build a system with a quick launch of defense tech projects. To make bold decisions and create better conditions for the development of companies that create military technologies. After all, technology and bravery can do a lot for our victory."

Oleksii Reznikov, Minister of Defenсe of Ukraine, sai: "The launch of the BRAVE1 cluster comes at a very crucial moment, when we must quickly learn the lessons of the war and respond to its challenges. The threat from Russia and its potential allies is long-term. This is not only our vision, but also recognized in NATO's strategic documents. To survive now and save the country in the future, we should be ready to defend it against the enemy that outnumbers us and has more resources. The only choice is to build the best and most powerful Defense Forces on the continent. Technological advantages are not only the requirement of time or modern military art for conducting network-centric warfare with a high level of automation, the use of air, ground, surface or underwater drones. Technologies are the lives of our people and our country. The Ministry of Defense, as a state customer, is responsible for the administration of all stages of the process related to new samples of anti-aircraft weapons: starting from its assessment to the commissioning decision. BRAVE1 is a practical tool. We are interested in "mature developments" that could be implemented quickly. We expect BRAVE1 to bring initiatives to the appropriate level of maturity. And then we will pick up and lead through all the labyrinths, to the international codification and NATO registers. With such an approach, BRAVE1 will become an accelerator that will help raise initiatives to the level when the Ministry of Defense could pick them up today and plan for the future: form policies, the future image of the Armed Forces and the entire defense sector, plan resources and infrastructure for this. So that our army gets the best weapons and equipment."

Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Major General Volodymyr Koval said: "I call on manufacturers, scientists and the military to fruitful cooperation on the development and implementation of new technologies that will help the Armed Forces of Ukraine to effectively perform combat tasks. The innovations we implement today will define the future for our Victory, our Independence. The intensification of joint work will allow increasing the efficiency of providing the Armed Forces of Ukraine with high-tech weapons, military and special equipment and ammunition in accordance with the urgent needs of the troops (forces) and will introduce an effective mechanism for the implementation of innovative projects for the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine."

Deputy Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Serhiy Demedyuk said: «It is important for us to create conditions for the development of Ukrainian manufacturers. We are talking not only about large and experienced companies but also about small startups and growing companies. The BRAVE1 platform will be a state-level startup for large and small innovative companies. Ukrainian defense technologies will not only ensure our victory, but will also be exported globally as successful ones.»

The Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine, the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, the Ministry of Strategic Industries of Ukraine, and the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine have founded a united coordinational platform for defense tech in Ukraine (Picture source: BRAVE1 Tech cluster)

Oleksandr Kamyshin, Minister for Strategic Industries of Ukraine, said: “The primary task for the Ministry of Strategic Industries of Ukraine today is to establish the production of weapons and ammunition: both in Ukraine and abroad in partnership with other countries, both state and private enterprises. Technologies are important for us to realize this goal. They will make it possible to speed up the production process, increase capacity and maximize the potential of Ukrainian arms manufacturers. Defense tech-cluster Brave1 will help make all this possible and significantly strengthen our military.”

Yulia Svyridenko, First Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Economy of Ukraine, said: "Now, we have one main goal: to defeat the aggressor. The creation of the BRAVE1 defense cluster brings us closer to victory because it allows us to respond more effectively to the needs of the front. However, when we win the defense tech huge potential will allow it to become one of the leading drivers of Ukraine's rapid economic growth. Jeep, Ray-Ban Aviator, Motorola, and many other leading corporations and brands worldwide were created during wartime or based on military technology. Without a doubt, our "incubator" will also produce products and brands that the whole world will learn about over time. The Ukrainian defense-industrial complex is already drawing potential investors' increased attention. Our task is to maximize the attraction of investments in the industry and shorten the time from inquiries to the implementation of the project."

Ihor Fomenko, Deputy Minister of Economy of Ukraine, said: “The war gives us a unique opportunity to radically update, and in fact to re-create a defense-industrial complex. Modern. Effective - both as a tool for increasing our country's defense capabilities and as a stimulus for economic development. Integrated into global production chains and the global arms market. Today, the attention of the whole world is focused on Ukraine. In particular - and first of all - interested are major players in the arms market, businesses that invest significant funds in the industry in various countries, and governments of the most developed countries. Currently, all Ukrainian developments in the field of defense tech are being tested by fire. And we are to make sure that the world learns how effective they are.”

Nataliya Kushnerska, BRAVE1, said: "Ukraine values the life and health of our defenders, therefore building innovative potential and attracting talents, developing engineering solutions, testing non-standard approaches, and effective use of resources are the conditions thanks to which Ukraine will win and gain an advantage, which will ensure long-term protection of the country and leadership in the field of defense tech at the global stage."

Innovative developments for the army are quickly tested and verified in combat conditions, improving in accordance with the tasks and goals of the security and defense forces (Picture source: BRAVE1 Tech cluster)

Defense News April 2023