Ukrainian soldiers can now earn rewards for battlefield achievements through a groundbreaking military technology marketplace called Brave1 Market, announced Ukraine's Minister of Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov.
The platform operates similarly to popular e-commerce sites but exclusively offers military equipment, including drones, robots, and electronic warfare devices. Military units can earn "ePoints" by documenting successful strikes against Russian forces and equipment with drone footage.
The point system awards specific values for different targets - six points for eliminating an enemy soldier and 40 points for destroying a tank. These points can then be exchanged for military equipment through the online platform.
"Military units can select appropriate technology in just a few clicks, compare equipment, and deal directly with manufacturers," explained Fedorov via Telegram.
The marketplace currently features over 1,000 different items, ranging from drones and ground robots to cameras and satellite communication devices. While most equipment details are publicly viewable, access to sensitive information is restricted to authorized users.
One notable success story is the "Magyar's Birds" unit, which has accumulated over 16,000 points through their combat operations. The unit tops the March leaderboard for combat points earned on the Brave1 Market website.
Alex Eine, section commander of a drone unit in Ukraine's Separate Presidential Brigade, noted that the system particularly benefits soldiers operating small first-person-view (FPV) or bomber drones on the front lines, as frequent missions increase opportunities to earn points.
Popular items available on the platform include the Backfire drone, priced at approximately $60,000 for a three-pack, and the "Baba Yaga" bomber drone, which costs around 43 points. The Ukrainian government handles payment and delivery of equipment ordered through the point system.
This innovative approach to military procurement aims to streamline the acquisition process while incentivizing battlefield success, marking a new chapter in modern warfare logistics.