The Brave1 defence cluster, together with servicemen from 33 GROUP, part of the “Timur Special Unit” of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU), has conducted closed trials of Ukrainian-made buggies, including models with remote-control capabilities. Brave1 reported this on Facebook.
During the tests, the servicemen drove the buggies themselves and assessed them against criteria important for use on the frontline.
Brave1 explained that the need for such vehicles is particularly relevant ahead of winter. Buggies with both conventional and remote control are needed for logistics in difficult terrain, where high off-road capability is essential.
The Defence Forces already use foreign-made buggies. However, according to Brave1, they are relatively expensive, are not always adapted to the challenges of the frontline and do not have remote-control capabilities.
“Our goal, therefore, is to provide affordable Ukrainian-made vehicles that can go where other equipment gets stuck and carry out missions without putting the driver at risk. More than half of the existing developments have already received grants from Brave1 and are now being improved based on feedback from servicemen,” the post said.
Brave1 is a Ukrainian defence technology cluster established in 2023 to develop and scale innovation in the defence tech sector. The platform brings together the government, technology companies, startups, investors and the military.
Brave1 helps developers create and test technologies for the Defence Forces, including in the fields of unmanned systems, robotic systems, electronic warfare, artificial intelligence and missile technology. One of its main support mechanisms is grant funding for Ukrainian defence tech developments.