Briefly. The United States and Ukraine agree on a «breakthrough» drone deal: Kyiv is willing to share combat-proven technology and prototypes in exchange for royalties or other compensation. A delegation from the Ministry of Defence is in Washington this week to meet with the Pentagon and the State Department; the deal could be worth billions of dollars.
What we know now
According to the WSJ, the deal is supposed to give the US access to Ukrainian UAV systems that have proven themselves in the war against Russia. The Ukrainian team is headed by Deputy Defence Minister Serhiy Boyev; negotiations are ongoing in Washington with the participation of the Pentagon and the State Department. The publication notes that the initiative is supported by Presidents Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
What the agreement may contain
Several mechanisms are being considered: joint ventures with US manufacturers, technology transfer with royalties, the creation of a subsidiary of a Ukrainian company in the US for production, and direct purchases of finished drones for the US forces. Some interlocutors warn that formalising the details could take several months.
Why the US and Ukraine need it
The United States has advanced «high» UAVs, but Ukraine has gained an advantage in the mass and inexpensive production of combat-proven FPV, maritime and other platforms. For Washington, this is an opportunity to accelerate the re-equipment of the army, based on practical experience at the front; for Kyiv, it means investments, royalties, and political consolidation of the partnership. Challenges include the widespread use of Chinese components in many Ukrainian drones; the US has strict requirements for secure supply chains, and imports of Chinese UAVs are being tightened.
What's next
At the same time, Ukraine is promoting a «mega-deal» on a large arms package and openly talking about its intention to purchase long-range systems from the United States. According to WSJ sources, the completion of the drone deal will require additional rounds of approvals; the process is also affected by budgetary and political factors in Washington. The parties promise to disclose official details after the documents are finalised.
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