Ukraine Opens Battlefield to Global Arms Firms for Real-World Weapon Testing

Ukraine has launched a new program inviting foreign defense technology companies to test their weapons and systems directly on the battlefield, in the midst of its ongoing war with Russia.

The initiative, called “Test in Ukraine,” is led by Brave1, a government-backed defense technology incubator, and aims to create a unique testing ground for cutting-edge military technologies under real combat conditions.

According to the official announcement, the program is prioritizing drones, counter-drone systems, ammunition, and AI-powered military solutions for testing. These products will be evaluated in near-combat environments, providing invaluable real-time feedback to developers and helping improve the systems for future use.

Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine’s Minister of Digital Transformation, emphasized the program’s importance at the recent LandEuro conference in Wiesbaden, Germany, saying:

“We are ready to help companies from partner countries develop, test, and improve technologies that really work on the battlefield.”
He further highlighted that this is an opportunity for companies to gain battlefield experience “that cannot be simulated in laboratories.”

Key Features of “Test in Ukraine”:

• Real Combat Testing: Participating companies can observe how their systems perform in live battlefield situations, something not possible in peacetime test ranges.

• Flexible Participation: Companies can either send their teams to manage tests directly or hand over the systems to the Brave1 team for independent evaluation.

• Detailed Feedback: Ukraine’s combat-experienced military units will provide technical feedback to help refine the technologies.

• Accelerated Co-Production: The initiative also offers foreign firms opportunities to partner with Ukrainian manufacturers, enabling fast deployment and potential joint production.

• Online Application: Interested companies can apply through the Brave1 official website, where guidelines on permits and equipment transport are available.

This effort goes hand in hand with Ukraine’s broader strategy to boost its defense sector and economy, particularly after the launch of its “Build with Ukraine” program. That initiative seeks to export combat-tested Ukrainian weapons to European partners, showcasing its growing military-industrial capacity.

With this new “Test in Ukraine” platform, Kyiv is offering arms developers a rare and valuable chance to trial their weapons in actual conflict zones, while also advancing its own military capabilities and innovation.

The program represents a new chapter in modern warfare collaboration, blending international defense development with real-world war experience — something no laboratory can fully replicate.