U.S.-Ukraine Draft Memo for Drone Exports, Joint Ventures

U.S. and Ukrainian officials have drafted a memorandum outlining a potential defense agreement that would enable Ukraine to export battle-tested military technologies to the United States and establish joint ventures with American companies to produce low-cost drones.

The draft, developed by the U.S. State Department and Ukrainian official Olha Stefanishyna, represents an initial step toward formal cooperation. It focuses on innovations developed during more than four years of conflict with Russia, including first-person view drones, AI-enabled systems, ground robots, electronic warfare hardware and counter-drone interceptors. Ukrainian officials described the arrangement as mutually beneficial, noting that American financing would help expand defense production in both countries.

The push for collaboration gained momentum amid the ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict. Ukraine has supplied drone interceptors and pilots to U.S. allies in the Middle East to counter Iranian-designed Shahed drones, similar to those used by Russia against Ukrainian cities. Over the past two months, Ukraine signed defense deals with Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, with officials indicating...