Ukraine and France are launching the Brave France program with a budget of €20 million for defense innovation
The Ukrainian defense cluster Brave1 and the French Agency for Defense Innovation (AID) have signed an agreement to launch the Brave France grant program with a total budget of 20 million euros.
Under the agreement, each party—Ukraine and France—will contribute 10 million euros.
The program provides for:
- funding for joint Ukrainian-French defense research and development
- support for projects in the field of missile technology
- the development of unmanned systems
- the creation and improvement of air defense systems
The maximum amount of a single grant will be 1 million euros.
The first calls for proposals for companies are scheduled to be announced in September 2026. Currently, priority areas, technical requirements, and the program’s management structure are being finalized.
A key feature will be the use of the “Test in Ukraine” platform, which allows technologies to be tested under real combat conditions.
For Ukraine, the program means additional funding for innovation and the accelerated adaptation of technologies to the needs of the front lines.
For France, it offers the opportunity to test defense solutions in modern warfare conditions and to improve its own technologies based on combat experience.
An agreement to establish the program was reached back in February 2026. The signing at the Eurosatory 2026 exhibition moves the cooperation into the practical implementation phase.
This was reported by the Ministry of Defense.
As a reminder, Ukraine and Germany are launching the joint “Brave Germany” program, aimed at supporting defense startups and developing new military technologies.
Germany is enhancing Ukraine’s long-range capabilities through the joint production of drones.
Germany has simplified arms export procedures for Ukraine and the Gulf states.
