Zelenskiy Says U.S. and Ukraine Advancing Joint Drone Production

DPA

German minister of defense Boris Pistorius and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy with a Linza 3.0 drone.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has said Ukraine and the United States are moving ahead with plans for joint drone production, including the construction of a manufacturing facility in the US that will produce unmanned aerial vehicles using Ukrainian technology.

In an interview broadcast on Friday with U.S. far-right political activist Laura Loomer, Zelenskiy said Kyiv was keen to build rapidly on an initial drone cooperation agreement reached with Washington. He said Ukraine's drone technology continues to evolve at a rapid pace, noting that Ukrainian-made drones are now capable of operating over distances exceeding 3,000 kilometres (1,860 miles), with even greater range expected in the future.

Ukraine has emerged as a global leader in drone innovation during its more than four-year war with Russia, relying heavily on unmanned systems to offset Russia's military advantages. Kyiv has also shared aspects of its drone technology and battlefield experience with several allied nations.

"Important technology. This is what we have. And America has great technology. Our drone deal is win-win," Zelenskiy said in the interview made available on X. "We will build a great factory in the United States. We want to (have) lines of production," he ‌said.

Reuters, citing a White House official, reported that the agreement was still being finalised ahead of talks between Zelenskiy and US President Donald Trump, scheduled for Tuesday.

Meanwhile, several Ukrainian media outlets reported that the two sides had signed a memorandum of intent, laying the foundation for a partnership on the joint production of drones.



PUKMEDIA