- Ukraine’s defence tech ecosystem is fast-evolving, adaptive, and moving toward scalable maturity, growing increasingly relevant to NATO partners
- INTEGRASYS bridges urgent Ukrainian needs with NATO interoperability through flexible partnerships and rapid delivery
- Data ownership, export controls, and talent retention will shape Ukraine’s post-war industrial future
- Ukraine has strong potential to become a defence technology exporter through strategic international partnerships
INTEGRASYS is a Spanish technology company that develops advanced software and systems for satellite communications, spectrum control, navigation, and intelligence, helping governments and organisations operate reliably in complex, contested, and electronically hostile environments. Since 2023, INTEGRASYS has worked closely with Ukrainian military units and special services, delivering software solutions that strengthen intelligence, communications resilience, and protection against electronic interference.
INTEGRASYS in a Nutshell
It’s worth remembering that while these defence-related applications are highly visible in Ukraine, they represent only one segment of INTEGRASYS’ broader portfolio. Founded in 1990 by a team of ex-Hewlett-Packard engineers, this tech company specializes in advanced software solutions for satellite communications, spectrum dominance, navigation, and intelligence. Its systems enhance the resilience, accuracy, and reliability of platforms operating in complex and contested electronic environments. Integrasys works with government, defence, space, and commercial partners worldwide to solve high-complexity operational challenges.
INTEGRASYS’ CEO Álvaro Sánchez is a Software and Industrial Engineer with a Master’s in business from ESIC Business School. Recognized as one of SSPI’s ‘20 under 35’ professionals in 2022, Mr Sánchez has led INTEGRASYS through groundbreaking innovation. His expertise spans satellite communications and network management. Under his leadership, INTEGRASYS has pioneered technologies to enhance satellite maneuverability, optimizing operational efficiency and resilience. Mr Álvaro’s forward-thinking approach continues to drive the company’s contributions to the evolving needs of the space and defense industries.
Ukraine’s Defence Tech Moment and the Future of Allied Defence
ITKeyMedia approached Mr Sánchez to discuss Ukraine’s technological potential and its place in the wider allied frameworks:
How do you meet Ukraine’s urgent needs while aligning with NATO standards without slowing innovation?
INTEGRASYS is a very dynamic and flexible company, and we have also added Ukraine as a dedicated market, where we can develop and integrate within the country, fully focused on this market. We have many smart engineers who develop custom solutions abroad, and we work long hours. We have seen how dedicated Ukrainians are, just as we are.
The challenges Ukraine faces are now experienced by other countries as well, especially on the electronic warfare front, which is rapidly evolving everywhere — as is the drone domain. In that sense, we develop and prioritize Ukraine because it prepares us for the future on multiple fronts.
Regarding NATO, I understand the comment — NATO itself can be very slow, but the companies supporting NATO are not. We collaborate with the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, NATO, and many other allies such as the US.
How mature is Ukraine’s defence tech ecosystem today: strategic, scalable, or still wartime-improvised?
Álvaro Sánchez: Ukraine has performed excellently over the last few years. We have long-time partners that have been profitable and effective in delivering capabilities, but there are also many new players. It depends on the specific technology company with which we work. We’ve seen frequent MoD changes that drive company priorities, in line with shifts in government strategy. As a result, the market is less stable and somewhat less coordinated than others, which means adaptation is very important — and that’s exactly what we do. I truly admire how fast things evolve; those changes have a positive impact and we’re glad to follow them.
I believe technology will continue to mature. It’s essential that innovations are well-tested, brigades understand their value, and more technical training reaches warfighters at the front. This is part of the evolution for both tech companies and the MoD.
The industry is moving toward scalability, though I’m concerned about export controls on Ukrainian companies, especially during potential pauses in the war. These controls could limit their ability to continue industrialization and production. I must add that we also admire our partners who have been forced to move factories from one location to another within weeks — it’s quite impressive how dynamic the industry is. But this mobility makes it difficult to maintain a fully stable industrial structure. Flexibility and improvisation remain essential, though they sometimes come at the cost of full automation or fixed manufacturing.
Who should own and curate Ukraine’s wartime data—and what risks arise if no one does?
ÁS: In many countries, this data is highly classified. However, in Ukraine, we’ve seen a bit more openness — ‘under-classification’ — which actually allows for much faster collaboration and integration between companies and MoDs, especially for startups without facility or personal clearances. In this regard, it helps society support the defence ecosystem.
This evolution has been impressive, especially in EW and drone operations. It has generated a huge amount of Earth observation and ISR data that’s extremely useful. This data is usually owned by the customer operating our systems — often the MoD — and in many cases, we don’t have access, as we deliver systems on premises. The MoD can extract and use the data independently.
In other business models, commercial actors own the data, and they can use it freely. For military operations, we don’t see that as ideal, but it depends on the end user’s preferences. Sometimes they only need the capability; other times they require a service — and in that case, the data is not owned by them, which can be a trade-off they accept.
Is there a chance that NATO and EU might be underestimating Ukraine’s rapid innovation?
Álvaro Sánchez, CEO at INTEGRASYS
ÁS: In general, I think NATO truly believes it can benefit from the lessons learned in Ukraine. I don’t think there’s any discomfort — in fact, Ukraine is fighting bravely and achieving unexpected success. We’ve been supporting them as they continue to perform effectively in both defense and offense.
This war is serving as a large-scale testbed for electronic warfare, spectrum dominance, and space-enabled and drone-enabled intelligence. We see that technologies that worked in Ukraine are likely to work elsewhere, while those that didn’t probably won’t. It’s a learning curve for all, and we’re proud to help companies operate and improve in such highly contested environments.
From my experience in Ukraine, Europe remains dependent on many US components and US defense capabilities. That’s one reason why Europe continues to acquire so much military equipment from the US. We need to strengthen our own independence, as Ukraine is also doing, while maintaining support from Europe, NATO, and allied countries. At INTEGRASYS, we’ve also donated systems to help Ukraine in that regard.
Can Ukraine balance NATO interoperability with technological sovereignty without sacrificing speed and independence?
ÁS: Many times, what we do is partner with Ukrainian companies so we don’t work directly with the MoD. This helps ensure interoperability within Ukraine. We mitigate this same challenge with NATO by partnering with other NATO companies, allowing joint technology integration to address complex problems.
In that sense, we innovate on multiple fronts, prioritizing Ukraine’s urgent challenges — one of the markets that truly demands rapid action — while NATO programs tend to take much longer to materialize and deliver. For example, we’ve been working on a NATO program for the past eight years, while similar projects in Ukraine are delivered within months.
Do international defence companies have a duty to protect Ukrainian tech talent and IP after the war?
ÁS: I recently attended a ministry-to-ministry meeting between Ukraine and Spain, where I raised a key challenge: what happens to companies in Ukraine if the war pauses? It’s critical to avoid export controls that could prevent them from trading internationally, so they can remain relevant to the Ukrainian MoD in the future.
Ukraine needs a strong defense industry that continues to be nurtured — whether through talent development, company support, or international partnerships. That’s why we’ve started seeking partners for EVF programs, an innovation-driven initiative that progresses more slowly than Ukrainian efforts but includes Ukrainian partners for the first time. It’s another way to maintain balance.
At INTEGRASYS, our global presence ensures stability — when one region is quiet, another is active. This balance gives us resilience. Dependence on a single market, like Ukraine, would be risky for many companies, as they might need to downsize post-war. Some of that excellent talent could then join international firms like ours, enriching teams with experienced professionals.
Currently, we face strong competition for talent in Ukraine because many qualified people are deployed. After the war, that will likely change, with more experienced professionals returning to the workforce. Some of our Ukrainian team members are Spanish veterans who volunteered in Ukraine and now work with us — they understand the environment and how best to support the MoD.
Can Ukraine evolve into a strategic net exporter of sovereign defence technologies to Europe?
ÁS: I believe that in five to ten years, Ukraine will have significant potential to export defence technologies. However, partnerships with established international companies will be essential to help them access foreign markets. Often, success comes from developing shared technologies that benefit both sides.
It’s also important to note that achieving complete technological sovereignty isn’t realistic — a degree of interdependence is necessary, and that balance can be very beneficial. Joining an alliance similar to NATO could also help Ukraine increase exports, as many technologies require clearances and compliance that international partners can help navigate.
Today, Ukraine already produces excellent technology with strong export potential, but regulatory frameworks must evolve to support that. This will open the door to many partnerships eager to collaborate and expand those innovations globally.
Without a doubt, Ukraine’s wartime innovation is reshaping defence technology, alliances, and industrial thinking across Europe and NATO. It underscores the urgency of balancing speed, sovereignty, and interoperability while preserving Ukrainian talent, data, and industrial capacity beyond the war. Ultimately, Ukraine’s experience is not just a test of resilience, but a blueprint for the future of modern defence innovation.
Kostiantyn is a freelance writer from Crimea but based in Lviv. He loves writing about IT and high tech because those topics are always upbeat and he’s an inherent optimist!
