A foreign company's guide to field-testing in Ukraine

Testing defense products in Ukraine is growing in popularity because the country’s real combat conditions offer the kind of feedback foreign companies simply can’t find anywhere else.

NEW: Ukraine's MoD to merge with Ministry of Strategic Industries

Amid cabinet changes, the new head of the MoD will be Denys Shmyhal. The incoming Prime Minister’s priorities will include defense procurement and deregulation.

The Ukrainian links of America’s legendary SR-71 spy plane

The Soviet Union unwittingly helped its fiercest enemy create the Blackbird, which would then go on to spy on the USSR itself. We dug through declassified CIA documents to find evidence that the metal came from Ukraine.

How Ukraine can contribute to Europe’s ‘Drone Wall’ project

To protect their borders from Russia, half a dozen European countries aim to create a multilayered ecosystem packed with drones and sensors to respond to potential Russian threats.

New How Ukraine incorporates ‘Internet of Things’ in warfare

The Ukrainian army is using IoT technologies to improve situational awareness and gain the upper hand on the battlefield, allowing combat decisions to be made in seconds rather than hours.

Inside Ukrainian special operations technology

Elite Ukrainian forces are enhancing their strike capabilities with drones like the Backfire and RQ-35 Heidrun, targeting Russian logistics and military infrastructure.

Ukraine’s newest naval drone innovation concepts

The realities of the front lines have spurred advancements in naval drones, making them more precise and mobile – and even capable of pulling off offensive operations.

Obstacles to Ukrainian military software codification

Software companies must find a way to pass muster with the Ukrainian MoD. But no standardized procedures for this have been created, forcing them to improvise.

EXIT INTERVIEW: Export control head on the regulatory quagmire

Oleksandr Pavlichenko has just left his job running Ukraine’s export control after five years. He gives his thoughts on what should be reformed for Ukrainian competitiveness.

Turrets on ground drones: air defense concepts

Land drones provide mobility and a platform that can carry turrets to strike drones. The main challenge is to find and aim at fast-moving targets.

DEEP DIVE: Taiwan miltech aims to undermine Chinese components

Taiwan is building its own nascent miltech industry – and making exchanges with Ukrainian counterparts. The Ukraine war has brought urgency to Taiwan’s desire to serve as the alternative to the ‘red supply chain,’ opening a defense component alternative for the democratic world.

The first ever all-drone assault by Ukraine

Counteroffensive.Pro is the first to give a detailed play-by-play of a major milestone in military drone history. Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at how it was planned, how it unfolded, and what it means for the future of warfare.

Harmful Western bank policies hit miltech startups

Western partners are trying to boost the Ukrainian defense industry, but many bank policies still prohibit or block financing for miltech projects.

Ukraine’s pilot program to finance miltech loans

Ukrainian defense firms have to fulfill orders from MoD, but only receive a portion of the funds up front. The lack of working capital, or funds for expanding production lines, is hindering the development of the entire sector.

Breaking: U.S. lifts ban on Ukraine missile strikes in Russia

With just two months left in office, Biden reportedly takes the gloves off. But the belated, lame-duck decision has some Ukrainian frustrated. We walk through the practical effects of this change.

FPV optic fiber drone concepts

FPV drones with optic fiber connections are resistant to EW, which allows Russians to use them for ambushing Ukrainian supply routes.

History, strengths, limitations of Russian EW systems

We explore its origins from the Cold War space race, as well as its vulnerabilities. Russia has a vast array of electronic warfare systems: deployed locally to trenches; or strategic systems with 500km+ range.

Unique role of Ukrainian charities in defense procurement

Since the beginning of the Russian invasion, charity foundations have become a major conduit for arming the military. Here's how they go about it:

Exclusive: UA export control head walks you through defense export permits

A deep dive into Ukrainian export control processes. Pavlichenko says there is no ban on defense exports; lays out how defense tech exports should work; and his wish for friendlier relations with the industry.

BREAKING: UA Export Control Head: No ban on defense tech exports

He wants "balanced" approach. In a wide-ranging interview, he said his agency wishes to cooperate closely with defense sector: "We are your friends."

Evolution of Ukraine's defense tech AI regulations

UA miltech is China-proofing its supply chains

It's the hot topic on everyone's lips at IT Arena: even the winner of the defense startup competition is Chinese-component-free. Plus, customs reform advances; Spectechnoexport gets revamped from GUR to MOD.

Why aren't U.S. defense primes in Lviv?

Three miltech trends we're talking about over lunch at the premier Ukrainian tech conference, IT Arena: startups specializing in drone components rather than systems; the absence of U.S. primes; and the excitement of Nordic/Baltic/Polish investors.

How Ukraine startups deal w/engineer shortages; HIMERA seeks new funding

Military mobilization and refugee flows have slowed Ukrainian R&D. Here's how local companies are dealing with it.

Ukrainian customs reform; thermobaric drones; and Fath-360 countermeasures

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