Ukraine has introduced a new defence technology initiative that opens access for startups and international partners to train artificial intelligence models using real battlefield data, marking a global-first framework of its kind. The programme enables companies to develop and validate autonomous drones and AI-driven decision-support systems using operational datasets collected from active military environments. According to Mykhailo Fedorov, Minister of Defence of Ukraine, the government has approved a resolution that establishes a structured cooperation model between the state, Ukrainian companies, and global partners, positioning AI development as a core element of modern defence capability building.
The initiative provides early-stage and advanced startups with access to real-world military data that has traditionally remained restricted or unavailable outside defence programmes. Companies working in areas such as autonomous drone systems, computer vision, electronic warfare resilience, and battlefield analytics will be able to train and refine algorithms using large-scale datasets generated during live operations. These datasets are continuously updated and reflect real combat conditions, allowing AI models to evolve beyond simulation-based training. The move is expected to reduce development cycles for defence technologies while improving the accuracy and reliability of systems designed for high-intensity operational environments, particularly in autonomous detection and real-time decision-support applications.
Central to the programme is a dedicated AI platform established at the Centre for Innovation and Development of Defence Technologies under Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence. The platform has been designed to allow secure model training without direct access to sensitive databases, enabling partners to work with structured and anonymised datasets. It supports large volumes of labelled photo and video data, which are continuously refreshed to reflect ongoing battlefield activity. Ukraine currently holds one of the most extensive operational datasets globally, including millions of annotated frames collected from tens of thousands of combat drone missions. These datasets are already being used to train neural networks integrated into systems such as DELTA, which is designed to automatically detect ground and aerial targets.
The initiative reflects Ukraine’s broader effort to integrate artificial intelligence into defence systems while also creating a structured collaboration model with international partners and domestic startups. Mykhailo Fedorov highlighted that in modern warfare, technological advantage plays a critical role, particularly in AI-driven systems capable of improving detection speed, analysing battlefield conditions, and supporting real-time decision-making. He noted that increasing autonomy in drones and other combat platforms remains a strategic priority, with emphasis on systems that can process operational environments with greater speed and accuracy. The programme is also positioned as a shared development framework where partners gain access to unique datasets while Ukraine benefits from accelerated advancement in autonomous defence technologies deployed at the front line.
International companies and Ukrainian technology firms have already shown strong interest in accessing this type of operational data, viewing it as a key resource for advancing next-generation defence systems. The government’s approach establishes a model where collaboration extends beyond traditional procurement or research partnerships, moving toward continuous model training and joint analytics development. Fedorov stated that Ukraine is open to working with partners on collaborative AI model training and the development of new technological solutions, reinforcing the country’s role as a major contributor to applied defence AI innovation in real-world conditions.
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