Ukraine and France launch €20m BRAVE FRANCE grant programme for defence startups

Ukraine’s defence innovation cluster Brave1 and the French Defence Innovation Agency (AID) have signed an agreement to launch BRAVE FRANCE, a joint grant programme for Ukrainian and French defence companies.

The programme has a total budget of €20 million, with each side contributing €10 million. Through BRAVE FRANCE, Ukrainian and French companies will collaborate on developing missile technologies, unmanned systems, advanced air defence countermeasures, and other cutting-edge defence solutions.

The partners are currently establishing a joint executive board and finalising the programme’s thematic priorities and expert committees. The following conditions have already been confirmed:

• Maximum grant size: €1 million
• The first call for proposals is scheduled for September 2026
• Technologies will be tested through the Test in Ukraine platform, with validation under real combat conditions

Brave1 and AID first announced their intention to cooperate in February 2026. The new agreement now moves the partnership into its operational phase.

The agreement was signed on the sidelines of the Eurosatory 2026 international defence exhibition in Paris. The document was signed by AID Director Patrick Aufort and Brave1 Chief Operating Officer Iryna Zabolotna, in the presence of French Minister of the Armed Forces Catherine Vautrin.