US set to test Ukrainian combat drones
Photo: P1-SUN Jetkiller interceptor drone (SkyFall)
Ukraine and the United States have signed a bilateral statement of intent on a new defense partnership, paving the way for Ukrainian drones to be exported to the US for military testing, according to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
Alex Raufoglu, the outlet's Washington correspondent, citing two sources, said the document signed by Kyiv and Washington is the first agreement of its kind between the two countries in the field of unmanned systems.
It establishes a formal mechanism for exporting Ukrainian aerial, naval, and ground drones to the United States.
Under the arrangement, the US military will be able to request specific Ukrainian drone systems for testing and evaluation only. The drones will not be used in operational missions by the US Armed Forces. The results of the trials could influence future Pentagon defense procurement decisions.
The expanded cooperation comes as the United States rolls out its new Drone Dominance initiative, aimed at strengthening the US military's unmanned capabilities.
For now, the statement of intent is not a production contract. However, officials see it as the first concrete step that could eventually lead to the joint production of Ukrainian combat drones in the United States.
Earlier, it was reported that an American manufacturer will begin producing Magura naval drones, which were developed and battle-tested during Russia's war against Ukraine.
In addition, Ukraine's Liutyi long-range strike drone has been converted into a missile carrier. The upgraded system was unveiled for the first time at an international defense exhibition in the United Kingdom.
