Ukraine’s Defense Ministry said Monday that more than 430 companies have applied for access to the new catalog of seized Russian weapons and equipment, about two months after the launch was announced.
The online repository, called TrophyLab, contains data “for engineers, scientists and defense technology manufacturers” on weapons such as the Russian T-90M main battle tank and the Kinzhal hypersonic missile.
More than 130 Ukrainian defense companies and another 300 foreign companies have submitted applications so far, the ministry said in a statement.
Ukrainian officials say the database, populated by active combat units, intelligence and security services and scientific institutions, provides more than 225 blueprints, component analyzes and schematics to companies that have passed a vetting process.
When the program was announced in late June, the Defense Department said it included 115 samples Russian dronesair-launched munitions, armored vehicles and other equipment in 79 categories.
“Every missile, drone and vehicle seized on the battlefield is now a source of knowledge for the free world,” wrote Mychailo Fedorov, then the country’s defense minister.
TrophyLab also allows users to request a physical sample of a Russian weapon for “offline research” and submit requests for information on specific types of Russian equipment.
According to the platform, companies will be able to destroy or disassemble some of these samples during their testing or inspections.
Eligibility to use TrophyLab is so far limited. Ukraine says it only approves domestic manufacturers, certain scientific institutions, military units and companies from partner countries that already supply its troops or are screened by the Defense Ministry.
The move is part of Ukraine’s concerted effort to gather data and information from its battlefield as a catalyst for weapons technologies at home and in the West.
The country has become one hotbed for defense startups and large, traditional manufacturers eager to try their drones, robots and electronic warfare systems in active combat – a service Kiev is offering to friendly countries under the ‘Test in Ukraine’ program.
Meanwhile, Ukraine has shared thousands of hours of drone footage from the front lines with allied countries, such as Britain and Germany, to help companies there train their AI systems.
