On October 29, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine approved wartime amendments to the Law of Ukraine "On Public Procurement", granting the experimental NEXT unit – an experimental procurement arm within Brave1 aimed at rapidly contracting innovative defence solutions – the authority to procure innovative technologies outside standard public procurement procedures.
As a result, the Innovation Development Fund – a state institution that supports the development and implementation of technological solutions in the defence sector – can now directly procure specialised technologies, including robotics, unmanned systems, and other military or dual-use innovations, without conducting competitive or simplified procurement procedures. This will speed the supply of components for creating and testing combat drones, ground robots, and maritime platforms, accelerate adaptation to frontline conditions, and help save the lives of military personnel.
The NEXT unit was established in the summer of 2025 by Brave1 together with the State Service of Special Communications. Through the Innovation Development Fund, Brave1 supports developers of drones, robotics, AI systems, and other projects, strengthening the country’s defence capabilities.