In 2026, Ukraine is no longer just a "user" of Western technology—it is the world's most advanced Real-World Testing Lab. Because of the relentless pressure of the 2022–2026 conflict, Ukrainian startups are producing hardware and software that is "combat-hardened" by the time it reaches a showroom.
The primary focus in 2026 is Sovereign Autonomy: drones that don't need GPS, AI that can identify targets through smoke, and electronic warfare (EW) that can fit in a backpack.
Ukraine has moved from "buying" to "defining." These 10 companies are the ones currently receiving the most interest from NATO and private equity because they have "combat flight hours" that Western tech simply can't match.
1. Swarmer (AI Swarm Intelligence)
The leader in drone autonomy. Their software, Strikeburst, allows a single operator to manage dozens of drones that talk to each other and execute strikes without human input.
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The Capability: Fully autonomous AI swarms for GPS-denied environments.
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Direct Link: https://www.getswarmer.com/
2. Norda Dynamics (Vision-Based Navigation)
In 2026, GPS is useless on the frontline. Norda’s AI-powered navigation allows drones to "see" the landscape and match it to maps, making them immune to electronic jamming.
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The Capability: GPS-independent autonomous piloting systems.
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Direct Link: https://www.norda.tech/
3. Wild Hornets (Mass-Scale FPV)
The industrial heart of Ukraine’s drone war. They produce the "Queen Hornet" and "Sting" series, focusing on high-speed, heavy-payload drones that function as interceptors or bombers.
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The Capability: Mass-scale production of high-velocity, high-payload FPV drones.
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Direct Link: https://wildhornets.com/en/
4. Himera (Jam-Resistant Tactical Comms)
Himera builds digital radios that use FHSS (Frequency Hopping) to stay "invisible" to enemy scanners. It’s the standard 2026 gear for infantry squads operating in heavy EW zones.
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The Capability: Low-cost, LPD/LPI (Low Probability of Detection) mesh-radio systems.
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Direct Link: https://himeratech.com/en
5. Kvertus (Electronic Warfare & SIGINT)
Kvertus is the "Shield." Their Atlas complex can detect drones from 115km away and jam them from 30km. They protect everything from individual soldiers to entire power plants.
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The Capability: High-tech SIGINT and smart EW neutralization systems.
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Direct Link: https://kvertus.ua/en/
6. Buntar Aerospace (ISR & Mission Planning)
Buntar developed the Buntar One reconnaissance UAV and Buntar Copilot software, which uses AI to reduce the loss of drones during deep-recon missions.
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The Capability: AI software for planning and executing high-risk reconnaissance.
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Direct Link: https://buntar.com/en/
7. Skyeton (Extreme-Endurance UAVs)
Their Raybird platform is a masterpiece of endurance, flying for 28+ hours at a time. In 2026, it’s the primary tool for deep-strike target acquisition and border monitoring.
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The Capability: Strategic, long-range fixed-wing ISR systems.
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Direct Link: https://skyeton.com/
8. Tencore (Robotic Ground Platforms)
Tencore builds the TerMIT—a multifunctional ground robot. In 2026, these are used for mining, demining, and evacuating wounded soldiers from "hot" zones where humans can't survive.
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The Capability: Modular Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs) for logistics and fire support.
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Direct Link: https://www.tencore.com.ua/eng
9. Oko Camera (Combat Optics)
Oko is the primary provider of thermal and optical sensors for the Ukrainian drone industry. They’ve managed to build sensors that match Western quality at a fraction of the cost.
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The Capability: High-fidelity thermal cameras and optical sensors for autonomous systems.
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Direct Link: https://www.oko.camera/
10. Brave1 (The State Tech Accelerator)
While not a single startup, Brave1 is the "gatekeeper." Every successful defense tech company in Ukraine in 2026 passes through this cluster to get codified and battlefield-ready.
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The Capability: Government-backed defense tech incubation and certification.
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Direct Link: https://brave1.gov.ua/en/
2026 Analysis for Defense Officials
The "Hard Reset" in Ukraine for 2026 is Standardization. The era of "hand-made drones" is over; these 10 companies represent the transition to industrial-scale, AI-driven warfare. For a buyer, the value is in the data—these systems have been refined based on millions of actual combat flight hours.
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