Brave1 defense technology cluster has announced the results of its first grant competition aimed at developing explosives production in Ukraine. Six Ukrainian companies will receive financing, each of which will be able to produce at least 7 tonnes of explosives per month, with the potential to further scale production.
The total value of the selected projects is UAH 944 million, of which UAH 620 million will be provided by the state under the co-financing mechanism. The funds will be directed toward the creation of new production lines and the expansion of output of critical components for Ukraine’s defense industry.
According to Ukraine’s Minister of Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov, the investments are expected to strengthen domestic explosives production amid a global shortage. He said the development of this segment is one of the key factors in increasing the production of Ukrainian ammunition, missiles, drones and other strike systems.
As part of the update to Brave1’s grant program, the state has also expanded the list of technological priorities by adding 53 new areas, including technologies for the production of missiles, autonomous and swarm drones, precision-guided munitions, underwater drones, electronic warfare systems, laser weapons and air defense systems. Grants for developers will range from UAH 500,000 to UAH 8 million.
In addition, a dedicated BraveTech EU grant program is being launched to develop promising defense technologies, while the Brave Prime initiative provides for cooperation between Ukrainian developers and leading global defense companies. The first international partners of the program are Sweden’s SAAB and European aerospace company Airbus.
According to Mykhailo Fedorov, over three years of operation Brave1 has awarded almost 1,000 grants totaling more than UAH 5.8 billion and has brought together over 2,500 companies working in defense technologies. He said the next stage of development will focus on expanding Ukrainian manufacturers’ access to international markets and attracting additional investment into the defense industry.
