NATO defense tenders admit Ukrainian companies for first time

Ukrainian companies have for the first time been admitted to defense tenders in the interests of NATO and Ukraine, opening a new stage of cooperation between Kyiv and the Alliance. In particular, this concerns Ukrainian experience in the field of UAVs and the protection of civilians.

Colonel Valerii Vyshnivskyi, Director of Implementation at the NATO-Ukraine Joint Analysis, Training and Education Center (JATEC) stated this in an interview with Ukrinform.

"For the first time in history, Ukrainian companies have entered into contractual relationships with NATO's Allied Command Transformation (ACT) to conduct joint research projects for the benefit of both Ukraine and the Alliance. This was enabled, in part, due to the implementation of the JATEC Work Programme, which encompasses systematic analysis of Ukrainian Defense Forces' battlefield experience, the deployment of strike unmanned systems, and expertise in civilian protection," the statement said.

According to him, funding is planned in 2026 for research into the development of unmanned systems and the introduction of artificial intelligence into decision-making processes carried out by unit commanders.

"Beginning this year, a number of JATEC projects will, for the first time, receive financing under the Comprehensive Assistance Package for Ukraine (CAP Trust Fund), marking a qualitatively new phase in institutional cooperation between Ukraine and NATO," Vyshnivskyi noted.

As reported by Ukrinform, the NATO-Ukraine Joint Analysis, Training and Education Center (JATEC) was established in February last year in Bydgoszcz in northern Poland.