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Ukraine’s Drone Tech Heads to the Pentagon: Historic Five-Year Defense Export Deal Nears
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![Photo of Vlad Litnarovych]( "Photo of Vlad Litnarovych")
A Ukrainian delegation held technical talks in the United States with US military teams this week to advance a planned agreement to buy and co-produce Ukrainian-made drones, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry reported on October 2.
The delegation included representatives from Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense and the National Security and Defense Council.
The visit focused on detailed discussions about purchasing Ukrainian unmanned aerial systems and how to integrate them effectively into US forces. Kyiv’s team showcased specific drone models, outlined performance data, and explained operational use cases for each system.
“The American team noted Ukraine’s expertise in building the drone sector—not just aerial UAVs but also maritime drones and ground robotic systems,” the Defense Ministry said in a statement.
Ukrainian defense officials met with representatives from all branches of the US armed forces to review US requirements and assess where Ukrainian platforms could fill capability gaps.
Ukrainian officials said the technical talks are a preparatory stage for a broader “Drone Deal” that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy previously announced.
Under the proposed agreement, the United States would purchase Ukrainian drones across a five-year framework and create options for joint production of several Ukrainian designs on US soil or in allied facilities. Kyiv framed the talks as an effort to move from initial acquisition toward sustained industrial cooperation.
Delegation members also discussed US weapons deliveries to Ukraine under the Presidential Drawdown/Foreign Military Sales-related mechanisms—PURL process—focusing on planned shipments for 2026 and the prospect of increasing volumes.
Ukrainian officials did not provide a timeline for signing the Drone Deal or details on which models would be included in initial purchases.
Earlier, American startup Allen Control Systems signed a contract with the US Special Operations Command (SOCOM) to supply its Bullfrog autonomous anti-drone turrets.
The systems are designed to be mounted on boats and various vehicles, with the contract executed through ManTech. Neither the cost of the deal nor the number of units to be delivered has been disclosed.
Official presentation footage shows Bullfrog engaging aerial targets resembling Iranian Shahed-type long-range drones and their Russian variants, Geran.
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