European defence technology is often developed in controlled environments, with months or even years passing between laboratory testing and real-world deployment. However, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine has accelerated this process, with unmanned systems being tested, redesigned, and redeployed in a matter of weeks—or sometimes even days. This rapid pace of innovation is now set to receive a significant boost through a new partnership between Finnish defence technology accelerator 17Tech Oy and Ukrainian frontline organization Dragon Sky.
The collaboration, announced today, will create a direct development channel between European defence startups and active combat environments. This initiative aims to bridge the gap between theoretical requirements and battlefield realities, allowing companies to build and iterate systems based on live feedback from the frontlines.
Dragon Sky operates within active combat zones in cooperation with Ukraine’s Ministry of Internal Affairs. The organization trains operators and tests unmanned, counter-unmanned, and electronic warfare systems under real combat conditions. This hands-on experience provides invaluable insights into what works and what doesn’t in the heat of battle.
“Some systems look perfect in testing. Then you deploy them and they last twenty minutes,” said a Ukrainian UAV operator working with Dragon Sky. “If you can’t redesign fast, you don’t get a second chance.”
Antti Kosunen, Founding Partner of 17Tech Oy, emphasized the unique challenges and opportunities presented by the Ukrainian battlefield. “In Ukraine, technology doesn’t fail in reports—it fails in the air,” he said. “That reality forces a completely different development mindset.”
Through this partnership, companies participating in the 17Tech accelerator will gain access to frontline operational feedback, rapid iteration cycles, and applied research from one of the most demanding unmanned warfare environments in the world. This direct link to real-world conditions will enable European defence startups to develop technologies that are not only innovative but also operationally relevant.
Ukraine’s ongoing conflict is not just a war; it is a crucible for defining how modern wars are fought. The lessons learned on the Ukrainian battlefield will shape the future of defence technology and strategy. By leveraging this environment, 17Tech and Dragon Sky aim to help Europe learn and adapt in real time.
17Tech Oy is a Finnish defence technology accelerator focused on helping startups and technology companies develop next-generation capabilities for modern security and defence challenges. The accelerator connects European innovation with real operational needs, enabling faster development cycles and higher operational relevance.
Dragon Sky, on the other hand, is a Ukrainian combat-experienced organization specializing in training, testing, and applied research of unmanned and counter-unmanned systems. Operating in close cooperation with Ukraine’s Ministry of Internal Affairs, Dragon Sky conducts operator training and technology evaluation directly in active combat environments, with expertise spanning UAVs, UGVs, electronic warfare (EW), and signals intelligence (SIGINT).
This partnership marks a significant step forward in the evolution of European defence technology. By integrating real-time battlefield feedback into the development process, 17Tech and Dragon Sky are setting a new standard for innovation and operational readiness. As the conflict in Ukraine continues to redefine modern warfare, this collaboration ensures that Europe remains at the forefront of defence technology and strategy.