Ukrainian military units can now order fully customized drones directly through the state defense technology marketplace Brave1 Market to meet specific operational requirements, according to the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.
The new feature allows military units to adapt unmanned aerial vehicles for specific combat missions by configuring more than 17 tactical and technical specifications during the ordering process.
According to the ministry, customizable parameters include communication types, camera specifications, payload mass, and flight endurance. To place an order, a military unit submits a request stating its required specifications, the desired quantity of drones, and expected delivery deadlines.
Automated procurement and supplier bidding
Once a request is created, the system automatically forwards the specifications to potential commercial suppliers, who can choose whether to submit a proposal. To maintain procurement integrity and prevent bias, purchasing military units cannot see which suppliers respond to their requests.
When multiple suppliers submit proposals with matching technical specifications, the platform triggers an automated reverse auction where the contract is awarded to the lowest price offer. Following the auction, the military unit enters into a direct procurement contract with the winning manufacturer.
Ministry officials emphasized that the automated process eliminates corruption risks in military purchasing. The defense ministry press service also noted that units are permitted to order specialized technological solutions even if they have not been officially codified by defense authorities.
Available drone types and funding rules
The platform currently supports custom orders across several technology categories, including first-person view (FPV) kamikaze drones, fiber-optic guided FPV kamikaze drones, and fixed-wing airplane interceptors. Fiber-optic control cables allow drones to maintain operational links in heavy electronic warfare environments. Platform administrators plan to expand the available catalog in the future to include unmanned ground robotic systems.
The custom drone ordering service operates exclusively for procurements financed directly through a military unit's own funds rather than through electronic point allocations.
Background on Ukrainian defense procurement
Brave1 Market operates as the official state marketplace for Ukrainian defense technology, connecting front-line military units directly with domestic weapons manufacturers. Since January 1, all centralized defense purchasing for Ukraine's military, including weapons, ammunition, clothing, protective gear, and food supplies, has been managed by the Ministry of Defense's Defense Procurement Agency.
In early April, former Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko announced that the Defense Procurement Agency would administer the Prozorro Market electronic catalog for defense buyers. Prozorro Market serves as Ukraine's official e-procurement portal for government purchasing. Under the system, the agency works directly with commercial suppliers, sets technical requirements for defense goods, and verifies product compliance prior to delivery.
