Ukraine Nears US Drone Deal as Germany, Lithuania Deepen Defense Ties
Updated
Updated · Reuters · May 15
Ukraine Nears US Drone Deal as Germany, Lithuania Deepen Defense Ties
6 articles · Updated · Reuters · May 15
U.S. and Ukrainian officials are nearing a memorandum that would let Ukrainian drones be tested and potentially built under licence in the United States.
Germany underscored the shift with Boris Pistorius' Kyiv visit and a broader military partnership, including 100,000 artillery shells this year, PAC-3 missiles from next year and cooperation on long-range attack drones.
Lithuania struck a similar agreement on Wednesday as Ukraine's low-cost drone and battlefield data systems draw growing Western interest, with Palantir also signing a military data-sharing project in Kyiv.
Ukraine's appeal rests on wartime results: officials say Russia launched 19,000 Shahed drones over the winter, while Ukraine was intercepting almost 90% by late March and using unmanned systems to slow Russian advances.
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Overview
Ukraine is strengthening its defense by building strategic partnerships with around 20 countries through its "Drone Deal" program, which draws on advanced drone technologies developed over more than four years of conflict with Russia. This initiative enables Ukraine to export drones, missiles, ammunition, software, and integration services, while strictly excluding Russia and its allies. Agreements have already been signed with several nations, including those in the Gulf, and plans are underway to expand cooperation to other regions. These efforts not only boost Ukraine’s security but also position it as a key player in the global defense industry.