American startups turn to Ukrainian companies for help because their drones "don't fly very well"
US defence startups are working with Ukrainian manufacturers to create more efficient drones for the US Army.
Here's What We Know
American startups have spent billions of dollars developing small drones, which the Pentagon says are essential for future conflicts, but many are producing overly expensive models that do not meet expectations. At the same time, Ukrainian manufacturers, despite their limited resources, have launched mass production of drones and are looking for new customers and investors. This has attracted the attention of the US Department of Defence.
Nathan Mintz, co-founder of CX2, noted that no American company is keeping up with Ukraine in drone development, as Ukrainian manufacturers have a unique opportunity to test their models directly on the battlefield. CX2 has signed an agreement to install its software on Ukrainian drones to test them in combat conditions.
Ukrainian long-range drone Lutyi. Illustration: Wikipedia
The Pentagon recognises that small, autonomous drones are important and a funding priority, but the US drone industry is not yet experiencing rapid growth. One of the factors that made the US interested was the ability of Ukrainian manufacturers to quickly scale their developments. In 2023, American companies manufactured about 100,000 drones, while Ukraine produced more than two million, including long-range models.
Cooperation between Ukraine and the United States in the field of drones is expected to continue regardless of the development of diplomatic negotiations on the war. The Pentagon believes that ties between Ukrainian and American start-ups will remain strong and will facilitate the introduction of new innovations.
US defence innovation units have already signed their first contracts with Ukrainian-American partners. In the spring, their long-range strike drones will be tested in Ukraine, after which the companies will be able to apply for contracts with the US Department of Defence. It is also the first time a Ukrainian drone manufacturer has been included in the list of potential suppliers to the US Army.
The Ukrainian Ruta drone missile. Illustration: джерело
However, there are still obstacles to Ukrainian drones entering the global market. One of the barriers is Ukraine's restrictions on drone exports, which is why manufacturers are lobbying Kyiv to lift the ban. Another challenge is the dependence on Chinese components - the Pentagon will have to find suppliers in other countries to sell drones.
Source: The Wall Street Journal
