Media: US turns to Ukraine for battle-tested drone technology

American defense startups are partnering with Ukrainian drone manufacturers to produce war-proven unmanned aerial systems for the U.S. military.

Frustrated by the shortcomings of domestic drone innovation, the Pentagon is now looking to Ukraine, where manufacturers have demonstrated the ability to mass-produce effective drones under extreme conditions, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

Despite billions in venture capital investments, many U.S. startups have struggled to deliver cost-effective and high-performing drones that meet the Pentagon’s needs. In contrast, Ukrainian drone makers—fueled by the urgency of war—have refined the mass production of drones, creating systems that have been extensively tested on the battlefield.

One notable collaboration is between Southern California-based startup CX2 and Ukrainian manufacturers. CX2 has integrated its software and sensor technology into Ukrainian drones, an effort that has already received approval from a branch of the U.S. military. The partnership could soon lead to the deployment of these drones by American forces.

“No U.S. company is keeping up with Ukraine,” said CX2 co-founder Nathan Mintz. “You know their stuff works. They’ve got the ultimate high-stakes laboratory meant to battle-proof all this stuff.”

The Pentagon’s interest in Ukrainian drones highlights both the failures of American drone startups and the remarkable progress Ukraine has made in drone warfare since the Russian invasion. While the U.S. defense industry has the capability to produce up to 100,000 drones annually, Ukraine exceeded two million drone units last year. Some of these Ukrainian-made drones have successfully flown hundreds of miles into Russian territory, carrying out precision attacks.

As discussions around a potential peace process between the U.S. and Ukraine continue, Ukrainian drone manufacturers are beginning to plan for a post-war future. However, defense officials and industry leaders believe that any diplomatic developments are unlikely to weaken the growing alliance between U.S. and Ukrainian drone firms.

By Vugar Khalilov