NATO and Ukraine Team Up to Create Battlefield Tech Grounding Russian Aircraft Before They Take Off

NATO’s Allied Command Transformation and the NATO-Ukraine Joint Analysis, Training and Education Center have launched a new innovation challenge aimed at finding technologies that can keep Russian airfields out of action, Ukraine’s Defense Ministry reported on June 19.

The Persistent Airfield Denial challenge offers a prize fund of up to €250,000 and is focused on solutions that can limit the enemy’s ability to use airfield infrastructure and aviation over an extended period.

Organizers are looking for technologies capable of targeting key elements of hostile aviation infrastructure. Proposals may include autonomous or operator-controlled systems designed to hit aircraft, runways, fuel and ammunition storage sites, and ground support facilities.

Ukraine’s defense-tech companies already have unique experience developing and deploying advanced systems under real combat conditions. NATO’s Allied Command Transformation and JATEC are inviting manufacturers, startups, and engineering teams to submit their solutions.

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For this challenge, NATO has significantly increased the prize fund. Winners will be eligible to receive up to €250,000 after demonstrating their systems.

During the first phase, organizers plan to select up to 10 finalists, who are expected to be announced on August 11, 2026.

Earlier, reports emerged that Virginia-based artificial intelligence startup Enabled Intelligence added over 500,000 hours of combat drone footage from the war in Ukraine to its library for military AI model training.

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