Ukraine Invites Global Arms Makers to Field-Test Next-Gen Weapons on Front Lines

 Wiesbaden, Germany — In a bold move to enhance its battlefield capabilities and attract cutting-edge military innovation, Ukraine has announced a new program inviting international defense manufacturers to test their latest technologies in live combat against Russian forces.

The initiative, titled “Test in Ukraine”, was unveiled by Brave1, a state-supported platform for defense innovation and investment, during a defense industry conference in Wiesbaden on Thursday. The program offers foreign arms companies the opportunity to deploy their newest weapons directly to Ukrainian forces, who will evaluate their performance under real combat conditions.

Participating companies would be required to ship their products to Ukraine, provide remote training for operational use, and await detailed field reports from Ukrainian troops, Brave1 said in a statement.

“It gives us insight into the technologies currently available, and it gives companies a reality check on how their systems perform in an active war zone,” said Artem Moroz, Head of Investor Relations at Brave1, speaking to Reuters on the sidelines of the event.

While Moroz confirmed growing international interest in the program, he declined to disclose specific participants or operational details, including the financial arrangements involved.

The announcement comes as Ukraine enters its fourth year of full-scale conflict with Russia, facing relentless pressure along a vast 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) front line and enduring escalating aerial bombardments of its cities. In response, Kyiv is doubling down on defense innovation—positioning itself not only as a battleground but as a testing ground for future warfare technologies.

Launched in 2023, Brave1 serves as an online hub linking Ukrainian defense startups with potential investors, while also acting as a procurement interface between military units and domestic manufacturers. Now, through “Test in Ukraine,” it aims to scale this model internationally.

According to Moroz, the Ukrainian military has outlined specific categories of technology it is eager to test. These include:

• Next-generation air defense systems, including interceptors for drones and gliding bombs

• Artificial intelligence-driven targeting systems for improved artillery accuracy

• Unmanned surface and underwater systems

• Electronic warfare and signature management tools for battlefield concealment

“These are not hypothetical requirements. They are the needs of our soldiers today,” Moroz emphasized.

As Ukraine seeks to overcome the numerical and technological superiority of Russia’s military, this novel partnership model could provide a critical advantage—while simultaneously offering defense firms a rare chance to refine their innovations under the most rigorous conditions imaginable.