Trump-linked drone company looks to Ukraine for military technology
Photo: The US wants to acquire Ukrainian drone technology (Getty Images)
American drone startup Powerus is set to merge with a company backed by Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump. The company plans to bring Ukrainian drone technology to the US, Reuters reports.
Powerus bets on Ukrainian drones
American startup Powerus wants to help meet growing demand from the Pentagon, the company’s executives said.
The company was founded a year ago and is set to merge in early October with Aureus Greenway Holdings (PUSA.O), in which the Trump brothers have an indirect stake through the American Ventures investment fund. The fund is expected to hold a 9.9% beneficial stake in the combined company, according to Reuters.
The company is part of a growing portfolio of drone and military technology companies backed by Trump’s sons.
The company’s plans
In interviews with Reuters over the past several months, company executives said they plan to grow through:
- acquisitions,
- foreign partnerships,
- domestic manufacturing.
The goal is to make Powerus a US partner capable of bringing military technologies developed abroad, particularly in Ukraine, to the US and manufacturing them in America.
Brett Velicovich, president of Powerus and a former US Army Special Operations intelligence analyst, is working to make the firm a "one-stop solution" for the Pentagon.
He is offering foreign technologies with an "American face." Powerus is in talks with Ukrainian defense technology companies and would like to add capabilities including long-range strike drones.
Powerus’ potential
The company was incorporated in October 2025. Its sales totaled $1.2 million in the first quarter of 2026.
In March, it unveiled its Guardian interceptor drones, which Velicovich said were the result of a "joint development" with Ukrainians.
Recently, Powerus announced:
- a contract with the US Air Force worth up to $90 million,
- a $22.3 million commercial deal to protect energy infrastructure in the Middle East for an undisclosed client.
The company also said it is in talks with countries in the Gulf region.
During a trip to Pakistan in mid-September, Powerus received a limited order from the Ministry of Defense for aerial drones and support services. It also signed a preliminary agreement with the Pakistani army on potential cooperation.
Earlier, RBC-Ukraine reported that Ukraine will soon receive additional support for its air force. The first prototypes of weapons designed to counter Russian jet-powered Shaheds have also been identified.
In addition, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Ihor Klymenko said Ukraine is testing its own interceptors for jet-powered drones. He said some combat units are already using them.
