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Ukraine Opens “Iron Polygon” Testing Hub to International Defense Tech Partners
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The Ukrainian Armed Forces have taken a major step forward in battlefield innovation with the launch of the “Iron Polygon” system. This new ecosystem serves as a central hub for rapidly testing and developing modern military technologies.
The General Directorate of Communications detailed the initiative during a March 5 press briefing attended by a United24 Media correspondent.
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According to Vitaly Dobryansky, the head of the Central Directorate of Innovative Activities of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the “Iron Polygon” has already seen over 500 testing requests in 2025 alone, including more than 250 successful tests of various advanced defense systems.
The “Iron Polygon” is also a space for international collaboration. Dobryansky emphasized that the system is designed to provide favorable conditions for both domestic and international defense manufacturers to test their products. This includes everything from drones and air defense systems to reconnaissance and military vehicles.
He highlighted, “We are creating an environment that supports innovation across all sectors of defense, including ammunition, vehicles, UAVs, and much more. The goal is to facilitate collaboration and testing with international partners while fostering the domestic development of military technologies.”
Since the establishment of the “Iron Polygon” system, Ukrainian forces have already deployed multiple systems, with significant contributions from international partners. Notably, these partnerships include the integration of foreign technology, further advancing the capabilities of Ukraine’s military.
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Brigadier General Andriy Lebedenko, deputy of the Commander-in-Chief of Ukrainian Armed Forces, spoke on this collaborative effort, noting, “The continuous interaction with our partners allows us to not only test but adapt foreign technologies to meet the specific needs of the Ukrainian military, helping us to maintain an edge on the battlefield.”
The “Iron Polygon” initiative also extends to experimental combat groups, which are essential in evaluating the real-world applications of defense systems. As Lebedenko described, these groups work directly with military units to test new technologies and integrate them into operational settings.
These units focus on the direct application of innovative systems, evaluating everything from drones to advanced communications and reconnaissance tools.
“These experimental units are integral to ensuring that new technologies are not only tested in controlled environments but also proven in actual combat situations,” Lebedenko stated. He added that the goal is to create a rapid feedback loop between development, testing, and deployment to ensure that systems are both efficient and battle-ready.
The aim of the “Iron Polygon” is to ensure that the Ukrainian Armed Forces can adapt to evolving threats. Dobryansky added that the system has already undergone several upgrades, including the addition of new infrastructure such as multi-range radar systems and specialized hangars for winter testing, providing a comprehensive testing environment.
He also emphasized that these developments are in continuous flux, adapting to meet new technological and strategic challenges.
As Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine continues, the “Iron Polygon” system will play a central role in driving innovation and ensuring that Ukraine remains resilient against both current and future threats. The system’s ability to test and refine technology rapidly, and the collaboration with international partners, position Ukraine as a leader in defense technology development within the region.
As the war progresses, the continuous feedback from experimental combat groups and the results from testing new systems will be vital in keeping Ukraine’s military capabilities competitive. According to Dobryansky, “Our goal is to ensure that every new innovation tested here is not just a technological breakthrough but a real asset in protecting our nation and stabilizing the region.”
The push for rapid battlefield innovation follows what Ukraine’s Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi recently described as a grueling but successful “battle for winter.” Syrskyi announced that Ukrainian defenders not only withstood sustained Russian pressure over the three-month winter campaign but also stabilized key sectors and regained ground.
This resilience came at a massive cost to the invading forces: Syrskyi reported that Russia suffered approximately 92,850 personnel killed and wounded during the winter months, averaging a staggering 1,031 casualties per day.
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