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National · Sweden · Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV)

Military Innovation Challenge for Ukraine

Innovation procurementPrizes & challengesDefenceDual-useC-UASUAS / DronesAir & Missile DefenceEWAutonomy & Robotics
Envelope
SEK 300 million (initiative doubled by the government in September 2025)
Ticket size
Development contracts up to SEK 20 million per project

About the programme

Under a standing government assignment, FMV runs recurring military innovation challenges built on needs identified by Ukraine, converting civilian innovation into military capability within 12 months.

  • Shortlisted companies pitch to an expert jury including Ukrainian representatives
  • Winners receive development contracts of up to SEK 20 million per project, with resulting systems to be ordered and donated to Ukraine in future support packages
  • The 2026 challenge targets countermeasures and protection against drone swarms attacking vehicles on the move.

Why it matters

One of the fastest funded routes from prototype to a real battlefield customer in Europe: serial delivery is expected roughly 18 months after the call, and the buyer is the Swedish state.

Calls & cycles

1
National / DenmarkOpen call

Acceleration Fund (Accelerationsfonden)

Danish Ministry of Defence / Danish Ministry of Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organisation (FMI/DALO)

The single largest pot of near-term Danish defence procurement money, with an explicit invitation for industry to propose what to buy. Speed to fielding is the main selection criterion.

Innovation procurementDefence
See programme
National / GermanyOpen call

Agentur für Innovation in der Cybersicherheit (Cyberagentur)

German Federal Government (BMVg and BMI)

One of very few German vehicles paying companies directly for security and defence-relevant research, with multi-million-euro phased contracts. Procurement-law process means longer lead times; watch the partnering events.

Innovation procurementSecurityDefenceDeep tech
See programme
National / PolandOpen call

ARP Financing for the Defence Sector (Agencja Rozwoju Przemysłu)

Industrial Development Agency (Agencja Rozwoju Przemysłu S.A.), Polish state development agency

A flexible state lender willing to bank defence-industry companies that commercial banks often avoid, useful for contract financing and liquidity in scaling defence production. No fixed calls: financing is negotiated case by case.

LoansDefenceDual-use
Working-capital loans from PLN 0.8 million (up to PLN 8.6 million with InvestEU guarantee for SMEs); larger investment and restructuring loans negotiated individuallySee programme