MILAN \u2014 Ukraine\u2019s defense technology cluster Brave1 and NATO have launched a joint innovation program that will fund defense companies, with the first call focused on counter-drone systems against FPV and Shahed-type drones.<\/p>\n
Applications for the project, described as the \u201cfirst joint innovation grant program,\u201d are intended for companies from Ukraine and NATO member states. The program opened on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Funding of up to \u20ac500 million ($569.6 million) per partner is available for joint ventures between one Ukrainian firm and another from a NATO member state.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Five areas were listed<\/a> by Brave1 as of high interest: active protection systems against FPVS, affordable counter-shaded systems, electromagnetic support for signals intelligence, electromagnetic attack technology against FPVs, and high-altitude platforms.<\/p>\n While Ukraine retains first-hand expertise in drone warfare, some of these technologies remain hard to deploy against the large number of unmanned systems launched by Russia in different waves.\u00a0<\/p>\n According to the London-based Institute for the Study of War, between July 25 and 26 alone, Russian forces deployed<\/a> one KH-59 cruise missile, seven Iskander-M\/S-400 ballistic missiles, and 136 drones against the war-torn country.<\/p>\n