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AeroVironment Secures $874M US Defense Contract for Ukraine-Tested Drones and Counter-UAS Systems
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AeroVironment, a prominent American defense contractor known in Ukraine for its suicide drones, including the Switchblade, has secured a five-year contract valued at $874.26 million from the US Department of Defense.
According to the company’s press realease, the contract is a part of the Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) framework, which allows for the continuous supply and delivery of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and counter-UAS (C-UAS) technology for export.
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Under the IDIQ contract, AeroVironment will provide allied and partner forces with a wide range of UAS and C-UAS solutions. These include the JUMP 20, P550, Puma, Raven, and Titan C-UAS systems, as well as training, spare parts, and logistics support. These systems, proven in combat conditions, offer flexible and reliable solutions tailored to specific mission needs, ensuring that they provide significant advantages on the battlefield when employed correctly, according to the press release.
The company’s systems, including several of those listed in the IDIQ contract, have been battle-tested, including in Ukraine, where AeroVironment has supplied critical drone systems to Ukrainian forces, as reported by Defense Express on December 10.
In 2022, AeroVironment delivered 100 Quantix Recon lightweight reconnaissance drones to Ukraine’s Armed Forces. That same year, the US funded the supply of RQ-20 Puma AE drones to Ukraine, and in 2024, an agreement was signed for the production of Switchblade 600 suicide drones in Ukraine, according to the outlet. Additionally, AeroVironment has provided the Titan C-UAS, a portable electronic warfare system capable of being mounted on drones or vehicles, which has been instrumental in countering aerial threats.
Thanks to its operational experience in Ukraine, AeroVironment has been able to adapt its technologies to meet the evolving and modern challenges faced on the battlefield, according to Defense Express. The systems offered in the latest IDIQ contract, such as the P550, are designed for rapid deployment in the field and are equipped with artificial intelligence.
Notably, the P550, while not yet deployed in Ukraine, is scheduled to be supplied to the US Army under the Long-Range Reconnaissance (LRR) program, with a contract valued at $13.2 million, Defense Express reported. This drone is tailored for strike operations and quick deployment, offering up to five hours of operational time on battery power, further enhancing the capabilities of US and allied forces.
Earlier, the US House passed an extensive defense bill that enhances security in Europe and limits Donald Trump's attempts to reduce America's longstanding alliances.
