US Tests Ukrainian Drones, Advances Major Defense Deals with Ukraine
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy confirmed the US is testing Ukrainian-made drones with positive feedback, advancing a stalled $35-50 billion drone production deal involving up to 200 Ukrainian companies. The US also pledged a license for Ukraine to build Patriot interceptors, addressing critical shortages worsened by US-Israeli operations in Iran. Ukraine has built 100,000 drones in 2025 and doubled production in early 2026. A preliminary agreement allows six Ukrainian firms to export drones to the US for the Pentagon’s “Drone Dominance” program.
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U.S. and Ukraine Sign Landmark Drone Cooperation Agreement
Ukraine and the United States have signed a bilateral statement of intent establishing a framework for unprecedented defense cooperation on drones. The agreement allows Ukrainian combat drones—land, air, and maritime—to be exported to the U.S. for military testing and evaluation, potentially informing future Pentagon procurement. While not a production contract, it is seen as a first step toward joint manufacturing of Ukrainian-designed drones on U.S. soil. The deal comes as the Pentagon pursues its 'Drone Dominance' initiative and seeks rapid access to low-cost, combat-proven unmanned systems developed by Ukraine during its war with Russia. Separately, Ukrainian drone maker UFORCE signed a memorandum with U.S. shipbuilder ReconCraft to manufacture MAGURA maritime drones in Oregon, with production expected to reach hundreds or thousands of vessels for potential U.S. Navy procurement. Analysts call the agreement a 'giant leap forward' for American defense and a model for integrating Ukrainian combat experience with U.S. industrial capacity.
Ukraine to Export Drones to the United States Under Preliminary Agreement
Ukraine and the United States have signed a preliminary agreement allowing the export of Ukrainian drones to the US, marking a historic shift in bilateral defense cooperation. Six Ukrainian companies will each sell approximately 100 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) as part of the Pentagon's 'Drone Dominance' program, which plans to spend $1 billion between 2026 and 2027 on small combat UAVs and domestic production. The agreement could lead to Ukrainian drone production on US soil in the future. Ukraine is also expanding drone cooperation globally, including a 'Drone Deals' program announced by President Zelenskyy, technology transfers to several countries, and sending equipment and specialists to Middle Eastern allies facing Iranian strikes. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen discussed joint UAV production with Ukraine's new Prime Minister Serhii Koretskyi.
Ukraine to Export Drones to the US Under Preliminary Agreement
Ukraine and the United States have signed a preliminary agreement allowing Ukrainian drone exports to the US, marking a historic shift in bilateral defense cooperation. Six Ukrainian companies will each sell approximately 100 UAVs, with potential future production on US soil. The drones will be integrated into the Pentagon's 'Drone Dominance' program, which plans to spend $1 billion between 2026-2027 on small combat UAVs. Ukraine is also expanding drone cooperation globally, including a 'Drone Deals' program announced by President Zelenskyy, technology transfers to several countries, and sending equipment and specialists to Middle Eastern allies facing Iranian strikes. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen discussed joint UAV production with Ukraine's new Prime Minister Serhii Koretskyi.
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Ukraine to Export Drones to the United States Under Preliminary Agreement
Ukraine and the United States have signed a preliminary agreement allowing the export of Ukrainian drones to the US, marking a historic shift in bilateral defense cooperation. Six Ukrainian companies will each sell approximately 100 UAVs, totaling up to 600 drones. The agreement is part of the Pentagon's 'Drone Dominance' program, which plans to spend one billion dollars between 2026 and 2027 on small combat UAVs and domestic production. This deal transforms Ukraine from a recipient of military aid into an exporter and supplier. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also announced a broader 'Drone Deals' cooperation program for selling drone types and transferring technologies, with agreements signed with several countries. Ukraine has additionally sent equipment and drone warfare specialists to Middle Eastern allies facing Iranian strikes. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen discussed joint UAV production with Ukraine's new Prime Minister Serhii Koretskyi, indicating expanding European cooperation.
Zelenskyy Confirms US Testing Ukrainian Drones, Progress on Major Defense Deals
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that the United States is testing Ukrainian-made aerial and maritime drones and has provided 'very positive feedback,' marking the first real movement in months on a stalled multibillion-dollar drone production deal. The announcement came after US President Donald Trump pledged at the NATO summit in Ankara to grant Ukraine a license to build its own Patriot interceptors, addressing a critical shortage exacerbated by US-Israeli operations in Iran that depleted interceptor stocks. Zelenskyy presented the two initiatives as separate tracks toward common goals. The full drone partnership, valued at $35-50 billion, would involve a 50-50 production venture with up to 200 Ukrainian companies but remains unsigned pending Trump's approval. Ukraine's defense industry is described as 'at NATO level,' and the country has already built 100,000 drones in 2025, doubling production pace in early 2026. Zelenskyy also arrived at the summit with a NATO intelligence assessment warning that Russia could invade a member state by 2029.
Zelenskyy Confirms US Testing Ukrainian Drones, Progress on Major Defense Deals
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on July 10, 2026, that the United States is already testing Ukrainian-made aerial and maritime drones and has provided 'very positive feedback.' This marks the first real movement in months on a multibillion-dollar drone production deal between Kyiv and Washington, valued at $35-50 billion. The confirmation came a day after US President Donald Trump pledged at the NATO summit in Ankara to grant Ukraine a license to produce Patriot interceptors, a long-sought goal amid a global shortage exacerbated by US-Israeli conflict with Iran. Zelenskyy presented the two initiatives as separate tracks but both advancing Ukraine's defense capabilities. The drone deal, which would involve up to 200 Ukrainian companies in a 50-50 production venture, remains unsigned pending Trump's approval. Ukraine has built 100,000 drones in 2025 and doubled production pace in early 2026. The announcement follows devastating Russian missile and drone attacks on Kyiv that killed at least 22 people.
Zelenskyy Confirms US Testing Ukrainian Drones, Progress on Major Defense Deals
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that the United States is testing Ukrainian-made aerial and maritime drones and has provided 'very positive feedback,' marking the first real movement in months on a stalled multibillion-dollar drone production deal. The announcement followed a US pledge to grant Ukraine a license to build its own Patriot interceptors, a critical need amid global shortages exacerbated by US-Israeli operations in Iran. Zelenskyy framed the two initiatives as separate but complementary tracks. The full drone deal, valued at $35-50 billion, would establish a 50-50 production venture involving up to 200 Ukrainian companies but remains unsigned pending Trump's approval. The developments come as Ukraine faces severe interceptor shortages, forcing rationing during attacks, while its domestic drone production has surged to over 100,000 units in 2025.
Zelenskyy Confirms US Testing Ukrainian Drones, Progress on Major Defense Deals
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that the United States is testing Ukrainian-made aerial and maritime drones and has provided 'very positive feedback,' marking the first real movement on a long-stalled multibillion-dollar drone production deal. The announcement came after U.S. President Donald Trump pledged at the NATO summit in Ankara to grant Ukraine a license to build its own Patriot interceptors, addressing a critical shortage exacerbated by the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran which depleted interceptor stocks. Zelenskyy presented the Patriot license and drone deal as separate tracks but both advancing Ukraine's defense capabilities. The full drone partnership, valued at $35-50 billion, would involve a 50-50 production venture with up to 200 Ukrainian companies but remains unsigned pending Trump's approval. Ukraine's defense industry is described as 'at NATO level,' and the country has already built 100,000 drones in 2025, doubling production pace in early 2026. The Patriot shortage has forced Ukrainian crews to ration interceptors during attacks, with air defenses downing 92% of Shahed drones in May using cheaper interceptor drones.