€250,000 for solutions to counter enemy aircraft and airfields: Ukraine and NATO launch competition for defence tech developers

NATO’s Allied Command Transformation and the NATO-Ukraine Joint Centre have announced a competition for defence tech manufacturers with a prize fund of up to €250,000. The organisers are looking for solutions that would limit the enemy’s use of airfields and aircraft.

The competition will consider proposals that can deliver autonomous or guided strikes against aircraft, runways, fuel depots and similar targets. The solutions must operate without GPS and under EW conditions, in any weather and at any time of year.

The range of the solution must exceed 150 km, and its readiness level must be at least the fifth (alpha prototype). A detailed list of requirements is available at the link. Applications can be submitted by completing a dedicated form.

The deadline for submissions is 20 July 2026. During the first phase, the organisers will select up to 10 finalists, who will be named on 11 August 2026. After that, a Pitch Day will be held for them, with a provisional date of 3 September. Based on its results, three winners will be determined, among whom the prize fund will be distributed.