Ukraine launches customised drone procurement via digital market

To suit specific mission requirements, Ukraine’s Brave1 defence-tech accelerator has introduced the ability for frontline troops to place orders for customisable drones on its digital marketplace. 

The Brave1 Market – launched in April 2025 – allows military units to purchase capabilities directly from suppliers rather than relying solely on centralised government procurement. 

Now, military units can submit their specifications for drones on the marketplace across 17 key parameters, including type, cameras, payload weight, and flight time, according to an announcement published by Brave1 on 20 August. 

Currently, first person view drones, fibre optic drones, and fixed-wing interceptors are among the technologies which can be ordered with custom specifications, Brave1 says. However, the accelerator plans to expand this list of available technologies “significantly”, including to uncrewed ground vehicles.  

How do custom orders work? 

Once an order is submitted, Brave1 says that it will automatically distribute requests to suppliers, who have the option to anonymously respond with a bid proposal that meets the outlined specifications. 

Notably, if several proposals with identical specifications are submitted, an “automated auction” will take place, to see which supplier can provide the equipment for the lowest price. 

The winning supplier can then progress to sign a contract directly with the military unit. 

Payment for these custom orders can currently only be made with the respective military unit’s own funds – as delegated by the Ukrainian Government – rather than with Brave1 e-Points, which can be used for various products on the Brave1 Market.