Presented by NATO DIANA:
BLUF:
Drones equipped with shotguns have the potential to revolutionize warfare, though Ukrainian units are focused now on shooting down enemy drones and protecting infantry and logistics.
Russian forces are camouflaging military trucks to disrupt AI-based target recognition systems used by Ukrainian drones.
Oko Camera developed a new line of thermal imaging cameras, minimizing Chinese components, localizing most production in Ukraine, while noting that mass production of microelectronics and complex optical lenses is still a huge hurdle.
Joint defense production between Ukraine and the United States could help with veteran reintegration while also benefiting the U.S. by providing access to real battlefield experience, U.S. Senator Ruben Gallego told The Arsenal in an interview.
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A Message from NATO DIANA: NATO opens Challenge Call for its 2027 Accelerator Programme
NATO’s Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) has launched its 2027 Challenge Call, inviting innovators from across the Alliance to submit solutions to six defence and security challenges.
Selected companies will become part of DIANA’s 2027 cohort of innovators and take part in a six-month accelerator programme beginning in January, designed to accelerate the development and adoption of dual-use and defence technologies that strengthen Allied operational capabilities and address emerging security needs.
Innovators will receive €100,000 of contractual funding, access to more than 200 test centres across Europe and North America, and opportunities to work with military end users.
Innovators can submit proposals for one of six challenge areas including:
Human Survivability
Multidomain Autonomy of Uncrewed Systems
Multidomain Sensing and Advanced Data Processing for Intelligence and Surveillance
Operational Resilience in Contested Environments
Responsive Logistics
Scalable and Adaptable Countermeasures for Air Defence
To learn more about how DIANA works, view here.
For DIANA’s Challenge Statements and how to apply, click here.
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Pierre Mareczko stepped into a new role as Strategic Operations & Liaison Lead in Ukraine at Alta Ares, a French company that develops AI-powered counter-drone systems. The company is also looking for an Operations & Liaison Coordinator to work with Mareczko in Kyiv.
Viktoriia Honcharuk has started a new role as executive director at AB3.Tech, a defense technology partnership platform of the 3rd Army Corps.
Olesia Husieva started working as the PR & Communications Manager on the Ukrainian team at ARX Robotics, a German defense manufacturer.
Quantum Frontline Industries, a German-Ukrainian co-production initiative, is expanding its team across engineering, production, and operations.
UKRSPECSYSTEMS, a Ukrainian UAV manufacturer, is looking for a CTO.
Molfar Intelligence Institute is seeking a Strategic Communications Manager.
StrategiX Ventures is an investment fund focused on Ukrainian technology companies, particularly in SaaS, cybersecurity, fintech, robotics, and electronics manufacturing. The fund was created by Issac Olvera, a former U.S. Marine officer who also fought in Ukraine.
"The risks of investing in Ukraine are widely misunderstood. As a result, innovation is undercapitalized, or entirely overlooked," said Olvera, who has a background in management consulting and investing. "That creates a generational opportunity for investors willing to back the most resilient market in the world."
The fund is seeking prospective limited partners, co-investors, and Ukrainian companies with proven products and the potential to compete internationally.
A message from NATO DIANA: Learn more about NATO DIANA’s 2027 Challenge Call through upcoming webinars covering the challenges, application process, and selection criteria.
DIANA’s first webinar introduces DIANA’s Accelerator Programme, including entry requirements, benefits and opportunities for selected innovators. It also provides an overview of the Rapid Adoption Service, TEVV and OPEX opportunities available throughout the programme.
Webinar 2: What makes a good application: Overview of challenges and selection criteria – 4 June, 3 PM BST
This session will provide insight into the key elements evaluators consider when assessing proposals. It will also include an overview of DIANA’s latest challenges, along with application requirements and selection criteria.
BlueBird Tech, a Ukrainian developer of drones, drone detectors, and communication systems, is launching a partnership with a research and design bureau, the company told The Arsenal. The main goal of the partnership is to collaborate on the development and launch of production on a guided aerial bomb.
Ukrainian holding company Martyn Tech unveiled the new Adis heavy bomber drone, Pegasus Arms, a subsidiary of the company, told The Arsenal. Its key feature is satellite-based control, which eliminates line-of-sight limitations and allows operators to remain at a safe distance. It has a combat radius of 20 km and a payload capacity of 10 kg.
An Adis heavy bomber drone. Photo provided by Pegasus Arms.
The Ukrainian defense tech company Roboneers has integrated the Shablia MK-19 remotely controlled combat module onto the Volya-E UGV, one of the most widely used platforms by the Ukrainian Army, the company told The Arsenal. The module provides a strike range of up to 2 km and is equipped with an MK-19 grenade launcher and a 40mm AGL-53.
Shablia MK-19 combat module on the Volia-E UGV. Screenshot from Roboneers video.
Fire Point, a Ukrainian drone and missile manufacturer, tested the FP-7.X missile, which is supposed to become a part of the FREYJA anti-ballistic interception system. According to the company, the missile can develop a speed of up to 2,000 meters per second.
According to the results of the Spring Storm 2026 exercises, Estonian forces showed significant improvement compared to last year, when Ukrainian forces effectively dominated the drone domain. According to feedback from Ukrainian military personnel, Estonia responded more effectively to drone threats during this year’s exercises and organized its troops more effectively.
Infozakhyst, a Ukrainian defense tech company, has developed the Minerva radio intelligence receiver, which operates in the 0.15 –18 GHz frequency range. The receiver can detect, store, and analyze data, as well as transmit it to a remote control center.
An investigation has concluded that a Russian Geran-2 drone struck a high-rise building in Galați, Romania late last month. Romania responded by closing the Russian consulate and declaring the Russian consul persona non grata.
